Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 1

Azure Star.

Mavaria, Melvion City.

“This is all Mira Mercer’s fault. She just had to push Mara down the stairs at a time like this, and now we’re all stuck here on watch.”

“Today’s the welcome party for Mara. It’s a huge deal. I heard a lot of high-society figures will be there.”

“I heard Mara’s arm is broken. She has to greet the guests in a cast today. So pitiful. Do you think Mira was jealous?”

“It’s more than jealousy, it’s pure malice! They’re sisters, for crying out loud. Mara was just found and brought back, how could she do something so cruel?”

“Sigh, if only she were half as kind and sensible as Mara.”

...

In the dark basement, a girl of sixteen or seventeen was curled up in a corner.

She hadn’t had a single drop of water all day. Her hair was a mess, and and a crimson welt from a heavy hand stained her cheek.

Her eyes were closed, her brow furrowed. Her long eyelashes trembled from time to time, a clear sign of her unease.

Suddenly, she jolted awake. Her dark eyes were wide with terror, the panic slowly receding into a dazed confusion....

Wasn't I dead? she thought, her hand instinctively flying to her neck.

Mira vaguely remembered the icy sting of the blade and the searing pain as it pierced her flesh, and the disdainful looks from her family.

She slowly scanned her surroundings.

Her gaze fell upon a dim, cramped room and a tightly shut door.

She could faintly hear the disgruntled chatter of the maids outside, mixed with the sound of music and a flurry of footsteps from upstairs.

A familiar surge of anger welled up inside her, compounded by fear and hunger, causing her body to tremble uncontrollably.

She remembered. This was the basement—the basement of her own family’s villa.

And today was Mara Mercer's welcome party.

Had she been reborn?

If it weren't for what happened yesterday, she would have been at the party with them right now.

He was a public figure who cared deeply about his image and reputation.

Her second brother had said, “It's fine. If she acts up again tomorrow, we'll just give her a shot to knock her out.”

He was a doctor; he had plenty of ways to keep someone quiet.

Julian was even harsher. “We’ve just spoiled her too much. If you ask me, we should send her to a correctional facility. A little suffering will teach her to behave.”

“What are you talking about? She's your sister. Are you trying to ruin her future?”

In the end, their mother, Lacey Quinn Mercer, couldn’t bear the thought.

“Mom... Mom, actually, going to a correctional facility... it wouldn't ruin her future. It's a place where the state spends money to educate troubled youth. If she goes there, she can... she can avoid making bigger mistakes later on.”

Mara persuaded them, sobbing all the while.

“No, I won't allow it.”

Fortunately, Mara had only been with them for two months at this point, and Mrs. Mercer hadn't completely lost her conscience.

Finally, her father, Adrian Mercer, slapped Mira hard across the face. “Lock her in the basement for three days and three nights. Don’t give her a single drop of water.”