Reborn to Burn Them All novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the quiet garden of the Chandler family, a yell broke the silence. “Ms. Chandler fell in the pool!”

Instantly, chaos broke out. Everyone watched as Yvette Chandler flailed in the water–including Sophia Chandler, Yvette’s sister. Sophia stood frozen at the edge, too stunned to move.

The commotion brought guests running from the party. Before Sophia could react, a finger pointed straight at her. “Sophia pushed her! She did this!”

Heather Chandler–mother to both girls–arrived just in time to hear the accusation. Without thinking, she grabbed Sophia and slapped her hard across the face.

The slap left Sophia’s cheek stinging. The sharp crack still vibrated in her ears as she stared at Heather in shock.

“Mom-” Sophia tried to speak, her voice shaking as she stepped forward.

Heather’s eyes burned with anger. “Don’t call me that,” she snapped. “No daughter of mine would do such a thing.”

Sophia turned to face her three brothers. Dressed in their fine suits, they glared at her like she was the enemy.

“Sophia, if Yvette’s hurt, you’ll pay.” The first brother’s voice trembled with

rage.

The second shook his head in disgust. “I knew you were trouble, but this? Attacking Yvette at her own banquet?”

“Yvette’s suffered enough,” the third spat, fists clenched. “After eighteen years apart, this is how you welcome her? What did she ever do to deserve

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Chapter 1

“Sophia, Yvette is your sister! How could you do that?” the first brother demanded.

Sophia’s cheek still burned from the slap. She shook her head wildly, insisting, “I didn’t push her. I swear it wasn’t me.”

20)

Their answering silence was worse than words. Jackets hit the pavement as all three brothers plunged into the pool to rescue Yvette.

When they pulled Yvette out, she was drenched and shaking. One brother wrapped his coat around her, and they all gathered close, shielding her and murmuring words of comfort.

Yvette stood there with red–rimmed eyes and a pale face, trembling like a frightened bird. “Mom, it wasn’t Sophia’s fault,” she said softly. “I just slipped.”

Then she glanced at Sophia, her whole body flinched like she’d been struck. With a frightened gasp, she shrank back into her brothers‘ arms, clinging to them like a life raft.

Every guest got the message loud and clear–Sophia had tried to hurt the fragile girl they’d just gotten back.

Yvette hung her head, tears dripping down. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come back… Then Sophia wouldn’t…” Her voice broke into sobs.

The Chandlers shot dagger looks at Sophia, furious at what they thought she’d done, but aching for poor Yvette.

Heather’s eyes glistened. “Oh, Yvette, you’re too good,” she murmured, crushing Yvette in a hug. “My sweet girl. I spent eighteen years searching for you. Hearing you say that… it breaks my heart.”

Yvette clung to Heather, her voice trembling as she cried, “I’m sorry, Mom. I just don’t want to upset Sophia.”

The guests exchanged heavy glances, a collective sigh hanging in the air.

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