The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 27

**One Step Changes Everything**
**By Ruby Parker**
**Chapter 27: The Price of Blood**

In a sudden and unexpected moment, June felt something materialize in her hand. Curiously, she opened her palm to reveal a folded sigil nestled within her fingers.

“What’s this?” she inquired, her brow furrowing in confusion.

“A protective sigil,” Venus replied, her voice steady and reassuring. “Keep it close to your body tonight and follow the plan exactly. Leave the rest to me.”

June clutched the sigil tightly, determination flickering in her eyes. “If I make it through this, I promise I’ll do what you said. I’ll finally break free from this blood-sucking family for good.”

With a sense of urgency, Venus instructed June to take her home.

June had always known a life of ordinariness. She grew up in a modest household where her parents ran a small local business. Their family of four should have been living a tranquil life, yet there was an unspoken hierarchy that plagued their home. Her parents had always placed her younger brother on a pedestal, showering him with affection while June was often met with disdain. Scoldings and beatings were a constant in her life, culminating in the day they forced her to drop out of school to work and support the family.

As they walked together, June felt the weight of years of suppressed pain tumble out of her. “You know, I’ve always felt like I was invisible in my own home,” she confessed, her voice trembling. “Every time I tried to stand up for myself, it was like talking to a brick wall.”

Venus listened intently, her heart aching for her friend. “You deserve to be heard, June. You’re stronger than you think,” she replied, her tone soothing.

Upon arriving at June’s house, they were met with a sight that made June’s heart race. The front door was ajar, and muffled voices seeped through the cracks.

“Where’s that useless slut gone now? Did you find her or not?” a harsh voice echoed from within.

“I looked everywhere! Maybe she backed out?” another voice responded, laced with frustration.

“She wouldn’t dare!” Kenelm Neal’s voice cut through the air, sharp and menacing. “I raised her all these years. It’s time she paid me back! If she runs, I’ll break her legs myself!”

“Mom, Dad,” Toby Neal chimed in lazily, “you promised to buy me a car and a house after this. You’re not backing out, right?” His indifference hung heavily in the air, a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded them.

Beata Neal smiled, her tone deceptively sweet. “Of course not. Once we send your sister over tonight, they’ll wire the remaining 900,000 dollars. Then we’ll go pick them out.”

June felt her heart plummet at the mention of the money. She burst through the door, her voice shaking with a mix of rage and disbelief. “900,000 dollars? You said it was only 100,000 dollars!”

Kenelm turned, a mixture of relief and anger flooding his features at the sight of her. “There you are, you worthless brat! Where the heck have you been? The ceremony’s in two hours. Go put on your wedding gown, now!”

Tears threatened to spill from June’s eyes as she confronted her father. “Dad, are you really selling my life for 1,000,000 dollars?”

Kenelm and Beata exchanged startled glances, their shock evident.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify