Chapter 1

My 21st birthday party was supposed to be perfect.

The family estate buzzed with important people, celebrating me, Savannah, daughter of the university president everyone respected.

Tonight was also about Ethan, my childhood sweetheart, our unofficial engagement announcement.

Then Brooklyn arrived.

She was new, a scholarship student, charming everyone, especially my older brother Caleb and Ethan.

"A tribute to you, Savannah," Brooklyn said, unveiling her "interactive light installation."

It was beautiful for a moment, then it exploded.

Fire. Screams. Pain.

My face, my leg. Burning.

The world went black.

I woke up in a private hospital room.

Caleb and Ethan were there, faces grim.

"Brooklyn is suspended," Caleb said, his voice tight. "Sent to a counseling retreat. This is an outrage."

Ethan squeezed my bandaged hand. "We'll get you the best care, Savannah. Don't worry about anything."

They seemed so angry for me, so protective.

It almost made the searing pain bearable.

They lavished me with attention, the finest doctors, quiet reassurances.

I was their Savannah, hurt, but safe with them.

Or so I thought.