Echoes of Her Broken Silence

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The year my parents died in a tragic plane crash, I became the last surviving daughter of the Miller family.

The man I used to call my guardian, Christian Pierce, took me into his estate.

For ten years, he spoiled me into the most pampered, untouchable princess of New York high society. Whatever I wanted, I got.

Until the night of my eighteenth birthday. Drunk and foolish, I stole a kiss from him while he slept, and I took his obsidian cufflinksthe ones he never parted with.

The next morning, he walked into my bedroom and caught me putting a silver chain through the cufflink, keeping it close to my bare skin. Rage, dark and tempestuous, flared in his eyes.

That very day, he shredded my college acceptance letter and shipped me off to Ridgeview Academy.

On my first day, the headmaster whipped me ten times. He called it my welcoming ceremony.

On the second day, because I refused to clean the toilets with my bare hands, they subjected me to an hour of electroshock therapy until I lost control of my bladder.

From the third day onward, the instructors came to our rooms every night, forcing us to drink their "special milk."

Three years later, he finally came to pick me up. I sat in the backseat of the car. Christians expression was as cold as ever.

Hailey sat in the passenger seat, wearing a beige cashmere coat, her curled hair styled to perfection.

I looked down at my own faded, dusty jacket. The cuffs were frayed and threadbare.

"What are you staring at?" Christians voice cut through the silence.

Hailey turned and smiled at me. "Chloe, youre back. Youve gotten so thin."

"All those inappropriate thoughts of yours," Christian said, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. He paused. "Have they been thoroughly beaten out of you?"

The first lesson Ridgeview Academy taught me was that when it hurts, you endure it. If you endure it long enough, you stop feeling it altogether.

"Yes, they are gone," I whispered.

I saw his jawline tighten for a fraction of a second before it relaxed.

Hailey leaned back in her seat. "I told you, Christian. Ridgeview works wonders. Look how obedient Chloe is now."

*Obedient.* The instructors at Ridgeview loved that word too.

They would pinch my chin, forcing my face up, and ask, *Are you going to be obedient now?*

I would scream, *Yes, yes, Ill be good!* They would laugh, saying it wasnt enough, before forcing more of their "medicine" down my throat.

The car pulled into the Pierce estate. The roses in the garden were still there, but they were withered, their stems drooping lifelessly.

Mrs. Gable, the housekeeper, was waiting at the door. "Oh, Miss Chloe..."

Her lips trembled. I simply nodded at her.

I stood in the hallway for a moment, hearing footsteps behind me.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," Hailey walked over, her voice dripping with sweet apology.

"Christian said your old room had the best natural light, so he let me convert it into my walk-in closet. Your things... I had Mrs. Gable move them to the guest room. You don't mind, right?"

I turned around. "I dont mind."

Christian stood at the top of the stairs, watching us. He didnt say a word.

At dinner, the table was piled with exquisite dishes. Christian was peeling shrimp, meticulously placing them one by one into Haileys bowl.

"Thats enough, Christian. I cant eat all of this," Hailey giggled, her voice soft and airy.

"Eat more," he murmured.

When I was a child, I once ran a fever of 103 degrees. I was delirious. Christian held me in his arms, not closing his eyes for a single second all night.

When I cried because the medicine was too bitter, he would coax me, saying, *Be a good girl, Chloe. Drink it, and Ill buy you all the candy you want.*

I had sobbed, clinging to his neck, *I dont want candy. I only want you to stay with me forever.* He had smiled and whispered, *Okay, Ill stay with you for the rest of my life.*

"Chloe, try this," Hailey said, placing a piece of fish into my bowl.

My fork paused for a second. Then, I picked it up and shoved it into my mouth. Even when the boiling heat blistered my tongue, I didnt stop chewing.

"Eat slower," Christian frowned, staring intently at my bowl.

"Poor thing. The food at Ridgeview must have been dreadful," Hailey added, putting a piece of chicken onto my plate. "Eat up. You need to gain some weight."

I chewed and swallowed mechanically, like a robot performing a task.

Christian set his fork down. "There's no need to eat like you're starving."

After dinner, I went back to my room, opened my phone, and booked a one-way ticket to a small town in the southa place I had never heard of.

Christian stood at my doorway, holding a glass of warm milk.

"Drink this," he commanded.

The instructors at Ridgeview also loved delivering "milk" at night.

Once you drank it, you fell asleep. And when you woke up, your body would be covered in new wounds. Sometimes needle marks, sometimes dark purple bruises, along with a swollen lip and bleeding thighs.

My knees went weak. Out of pure instinct, I dropped to the floor, my forehead pressing flat against the cold hardwood.

"Im sorry! Ill never do it again! Please dont make me drink it... please, I beg you, dont make me drink it..."

The room was deathly quiet, so quiet that I could hear my own frantic heartbeat.

Christian stood frozen, still holding the glass.

The icy mask on his face cracked for a split second, revealing something raw, before freezing over again.

"You..." His throat bobbed. "Get up."

He took a step forward. I screamed and scrambled backward until my spine slammed against the bedpost.

He set the glass on the nightstand. The milk sloshed over the rim, spilling onto the dark wood.

My hands instinctively reached for his belt, ready to unbuckle it to please him. At Ridgeview, if you were a second too slow, another man would join in.

"Chloe Miller!" Christians voice vibrated with suppressed fury. "Have you no shame? Three years, and this is the trashy, cheap filth you learned?"

"No... I didnt..." My voice came out cracked and hollow.

"No?" He bent down, grabbing my chin, forcing my face up. "Then what the hell are you doing right now? Huh?"

My lips trembled so violently I couldn't form words. I stared at the buttons of his pajama shirt, not daring to look into his eyes.

"Let me tell you something," he leaned in, his cold breath brushing against my skin, sending shivers of terror down my spine. "Even if you stripped naked and lay on this bed right now, I wouldnt even spare you a glance!"

He turned on his heel and slammed the door. Within seconds, I heard the door to the master bedroom next door open.

First came Haileys sleepy, whimpering voice. "Christian? What's wrong..."

Then came his muffled, strained response.

Soon, the mattress began to creak, the sound growing louder and more rhythmic. Haileys moans pierced through the thin walls, rising higher and higher.

I covered my ears, curling into a ball. No, this was wrong.

At Ridgeview, those men never made noise. There were only heavy grunts, the clinking of belt buckles, and then they left when they were done.

I crawled on my hands and knees into the furthest corner of the room, pressing my forehead against the freezing wall.

"Chloe will be good..."

"Chloe doesnt love Christian anymore..."

"Never again... never again..."

I chanted the words like a mantra until my forehead went numb, until the noises next door finally stopped.

I fell asleep on the floor just as dawn was breaking.

Mrs. Gable came in with a basin of water. When she saw me huddled in the corner, her eyes welled with tears.

"Miss Chloe! Oh my god, your head..." She rushed over to help me up.

I flinched away from her hand. "Im fine."

The girl in the mirror was ghostly pale, the dark bruise on my forehead glaringly obvious. I pulled my bangs down to cover it.

When I went downstairs for breakfast, Christian and Hailey were already seated. Hailey looked radiant, wearing a silk nightgown, a prominent red mark blooming on the side of her neck.

"Chloe," Christian spoke suddenly, his eyes still fixed on the morning paper. "What happened to your head?"

My spoon paused. I kept eating. "I tripped."

"Tripped?" He lowered the paper, glaring at me. "How do you trip and get a bruise like that?"

Hailey placed a peeled egg onto his plate and said softly, "Oh, she probably just bumped into a door frame. Chloe is still adjusting to being back."

Christian ignored her, keeping his gaze locked on me. "I asked you a question. Are you playing games again"

"Im full," I said, pushing my bowl away and standing up. I had barely touched the oatmeal, but my stomach felt like it was filled with lead.

Three days. Just three more days, and I would be gone.

"Stop right there," Christians voice dropped, dangerous and low. "Did I say you could leave?"

Hailey quickly intervened. "Christian, dont be so harsh. Were going bridal gown shopping today. Why dont we bring Chloe along? She can help me choose."

My fingernails dug into my palms. "Im not going."

Christian slammed the newspaper onto the table with a loud *thud*.

"Did my words yesterday go through one ear and out the other? I told you to get along with Hailey!"

I lowered my head, my stomach twisting in pain. "Okay."

The bridal boutique was blindingly bright. At Ridgeview, we lived in endless darkness.

Hailey twirled in front of the mirror. "Christian, do you like it?"

Christian sat on the plush sofa, his legs crossed, nodding slightly. "It looks good."

He used to bring me to places like this. He used to tell me, *Our Chloe will look like a little angel in a white gown.*

Later, I had clung to him, asking, *Will you buy me the most beautiful wedding dress in the world when I grow up?*

He had ruffled my hair, laughing, *Ill buy you an entire room full of them.*

"Chloe," Hailey called out, holding a sleek mermaid-style dress. "What do you think of this one?"

I looked up. "Its nice."

"Why don't you try one on?" She smiled, her eyes crinkling. "I mean, even though you... well, every girl deserves to wear a wedding dress at least once."

She walked over, leaning close to my ear, her voice dropping to a vicious whisper.

"Honestly, Ive always wondered... just how shameless do you have to be to fall in love with your own guardian? Hmm? Chloe, care to tell me?"

My body went entirely rigid, the blood freezing in my veins. She knew. How did she know?

Watching the color drain from my face, Haileys smile grew sweeter.

"Frightened? Did you think your filthy little secret was hard to guess?"

She patted my arm, raising her voice for Christian to hear. "Go on, try it on! Let Christian and me have a look."

Christian glanced over, his brow furrowed, clearly annoyed that I was wasting time.

Right then, Hailey gasped. "Ah!"

In one sudden movement, her body flew backward!

She clutched her stomach, her face twisting in agony as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Ah... my stomach... it hurts so much..."

Christian bolted upright, rushing over in three long strides.

Hailey looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, her trembling finger pointing directly at me, her breath shallow.

"Christian... dont... dont blame Chloe... she probably... she probably didn't mean to push me..."

I was dragged down and locked in the basement.

The door was kicked open with a loud bang. Christian stood in the doorway, his long shadow stretching across the damp floor.

"Chloe Miller!" his voice was cold enough to kill.

I scrambled to my knees. At Ridgeview, you had to kneel when being questioned.

"Look at what youve done!" He stormed in, grabbing my chin in a iron grip. "Hailey lost the baby! How dare you!"

I looked into his bloodshot eyes. "I didnt push her."

Haileys soft sobbing echoed from the top of the stairs. "Christian... forget it. Chloe is still young, she didnt mean it... Its my fault. I wasnt blessed enough to keep our baby..."

Christians chest heaved as he glared down at me. "You were the only one near her! And you still dare to lie?"

I stopped talking. At Ridgeview, if the instructor said you were guilty, you were guilty. Arguing only brought worse punishment.

"Fine. You wont confess." He let go of me, turning to grab a leather crop hanging on the wall. "Ill make you confess!"

*Crack!*

The lash struck my back like searing-hot iron.

I bit my lip, refusing to make a sound.

"Speak! Why did you do it?" *Crack!*

"Are you still harbor those disgusting feelings for me? Huh?"

The whip fell again and again. My shirt grew damp, the fabric clinging to the fresh, warm blood oozing from my skin.

I remembered when I was a child learning the piano, and a broken string cut my finger. Christian had held my hand, his face filled with panic.

*Dont cry, Chloe. Let me blow on it, and the pain will go away. I promise you, I will never let anyone hurt you again.*

The whipping stopped. Christian was panting. He grabbed my arm and dragged me up. "Speak! Are you mute?"

I looked up at him, sweat and blood stinging my eyes.

In his fury, he ripped the back of my shirt open. My bare back was exposed to the lightrevealing a horrific tapestry of old and new wounds.

Scars upon scars, deep and shallow, jagged lines and round burn marks.

"What... what is this?" His voice cracked, his hand starting to tremble.

Hailey crept down the stairs, catching a glimpse, and gasped, covering her mouth.

"Oh my god! Chloe, your back... where did all those scars come from?"

She turned to Christian, her voice trembling with crocodile tears. "Christian... could this be... a sympathy play? Did she do this to herself to make us feel guilty?"

Christians hand froze mid-air. He looked at me, his eyes a chaotic storm of confusion and suspicion.

"A sympathy play?" he whispered, as if asking himself.

Finally, he let go of my arm, taking a step back.

"Chloe, you are... utterly hopeless."

"No food. You stay in this room until youve reflected on what youve done!"

I collapsed onto the floor, my raw back scraping against the rough ground. The pain was blinding.

But it was fine. I had survived far worse than this. I could get through this. Just two more days, and I would be free.

The door opened, and Hailey walked in carrying a bowl of soup.

"Chloe, eat something," she said, sitting on the edge of the mattress, stirring the soup. "I begged Christian to forgive you. This matter is over. Tonight is the Pierce Family Gala, and you are coming with us."

She leaned in close, whispering, "Don't ruin this for yourself. If you dont show up, Christian will only be more convinced youre guilty."

She paused, a smirk playing on her lips. "Or are you just afraid to see us announce our engagement?"

I looked at her. Her face was soft and gentle, but her eyes were venomous.

I had to go. My flight was tomorrow morning. If I could just survive tonight, I would be free forever.

The gala was dazzling, the chandelier lights making my head spin. Hailey clung to Christians arm, greeting guests and basking in their congratulations.

"Is that Chloe Miller? How did she end up looking like a ghost?"

"I heard she had some... inappropriate thoughts and was sent away by Mr. Pierce for three years."

"My, look how generous Hailey is, still bringing her out."

While Christian was surrounded by investors, Hailey walked over to me.

"Chloe," she said, her voice loud enough for the nearby guests to hear. "Christian asked me to return this to you."

It was the heirloom emerald broochthe piece traditionally passed down to the matriarch of the Pierce family.

When I was a little girl, I had begged Christian for it. Unable to say no to me, he had given it to me, saying I could keep it safe for him.

Christian looked over from across the room, his eyes dark and unreadable.

I walked straight to him and handed the box back. "Here. I wish you and Hailey a lifetime of happiness."

Christian snatched the box, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something, but a sudden scream cut him off.

Fire!

The curtains in the corner had caught fire, and the flames were spreading rapidly. The panicked crowd surged forward, shoving me aside. Through the smoke, I saw a little boy huddled in the corner, crying in terror.

Without thinking, I ran toward him.

"Chloe!"

Someone grabbed my armit was Christian. With his other arm, he scooped up the child and dragged me toward the exit.

A piece of the burning ceiling collapsed, grazing his arm. He groaned in pain but didn't let go of me.

We finally burst out into the freezing night air. I collapsed onto the grass, coughing violently, feeling as though my lungs were turning to ash.

Christian set the child down and immediately reached for me to check for injuries. His sleeve was scorched, and blood was dripping from his arm.

"Are you" he began.

"Christian!" Hailey threw herself into his arms, sobbing hysterically. "Are you alright? You scared me to death!"

Suddenly, she pointed a shaking finger at me. "It was her! I saw her! She started the fire! She wanted to burn us all to death!"

Everyone turned to stare at me. Christian froze.

Hailey wailed, "She just returned that brooch to you as a farewell! She knew she couldnt have you, so she wanted to destroy you!"

I shook my head, trying to speak, but my throat was so scorched by the smoke that no sound came out.

Christian looked down at my hands. Clutching in my trembling palm was a lighterthe one Hailey had shoved into my hand during the chaos.

"Chloe Miller," his voice was barely a whisper, filled with crushing disappointment and disgust. "You really are... utterly hopeless."

Hailey clung to him, weeping. "Christian, she almost ruined our engagement... Im so scared..."

Christian wrapped his arms tightly around her. When he looked back at me, the last shred of warmth in his eyes had vanished.

He turned to his security guards, his voice flat. "Take her away. Hand her over to Hailey to deal with."

Hailey buried her face in his chest, but as she did, she cast a glance back at me, a vicious, triumphant smile flashing across her face.

The guards grabbed me. I didnt struggle. I knew then that I wouldn't be boarding my flight tomorrow.

I watched Christians retreating back and remembered a night from my childhood when he had sat me on his shoulders to watch the New Years fireworks.

When the loud bangs started, he had covered my ears and whispered, *My little girl will never have to face danger as long as Im alive.*

But now, he had personally thrown me into the abyss.

Hailey walked over, kneeling in front of me. "Tonight, Chloe, were going to have some real fun."