Until We’re Ruin (Burned Hearts #1)

Preface

ANASTASIA

Standing in the middle of this empty room, the walls again bare, my bags packed and ready by the door, feels surreal. Today’s the day. I’m finally leaving this place.

Three years and two months.

One thousand one hundred and forty days.

Twenty-seven thousand three-hundred and sixty hours.

But who’s keeping track.

Sergio, the man who calls himself my father, payed me a visit last week. The first visit since dropping me off and leaving me here to be forgotten. Alone to deal with the aftermath of the accident by myself.

He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and to my surprise, stayed true to his word.

“Anastasia,” the voice sounds from the doorway, “there’s a car here for you. You have everything ready?”

Fleur waits for me to answer, a smile on her face.

I wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for her. She saved me in every sense of the word.

“Yeah, I got everything.” I grab my bags, not looking back, and follow her down the hall to the front where my new chapter begins.

“Remember your exercises, and here,” she hands me a folded piece of paper, “you’re going to do great.”

We say our goodbyes and the place I called home gets smaller and smaller through the back window, until it disappears like a distant memory. Unfolding the piece of paper she handed me, I see she listed her phone number, with a message letting me know I can reach out whenever; should I need her.

“It’s been a while Ms. Díaz, we’ve missed you,” Miguel says from the driver seat. He passes me a folder, when I open it I find my I.D, a black Amex, and my cell. Oh, how I’ve missed you.

“Could we make a quick stop, and maybe not tell my father?” Miguel has always been good at staying discreet, let’s see if his loyalty still stands.

“Of course.”