chapter822

"What did you do that's got you so jumpy? Just seeing me makes you freak out like this?"

Frank's voice was sharp and mocking, slicing right through the tension in the room. Sandy froze, her panic cut off in an instant.

"Look at you, all messed up. What shady thing have you been up to?" Frank laughed, strolling over to her.

Sandy had just started to calm down, but the second she saw Frank, her nerves snapped tight again.

"You... what are you doing here?" Her voice was barely more than a croak.

Frank just snorted, walked over to the wall, and flicked on the lights. Brightness flooded the room, making all the expensive decor impossible to miss.

"Sandy, you really know how to keep a secret, don't you? Living in a mansion like this and you never told me. Meanwhile, I'm out on the street. You're really something, you know that?" Frank's eyes practically glittered with greed.

If he'd known Sandy had a place like this just sitting empty, he would have moved in ages ago.

Sandy couldn't believe he'd found her here. Then she remembered Lydia asking if the villa was comfortable. Could it have been Lydia? It had to be. That bitch couldn't stand the thought of Sandy being happy, so she must have told Frank about the place, sending him here just to make her life hell. It was so low. Seriously, how could someone be so vile?

"This isn't even my house. It's Luke's. I'm just staying here for a bit.

Frank rolled his eyes. "You think I'm that easy to fool? I had someone look into it. The deed's got your name on it."

Sandy's shoulders sagged. She shut her eyes, heavy with exhaustion. Why did everything always have to go this way for her? What had she ever done to deserve this? Why did she have to end up with a gambler like Frank for a father?

"I thought you were off looking for your real daughter. Why are you still after me?" Suddenly, she snapped, her voice sharp.

Frank's hand flew out and slapped her across the face, knocking her to the floor.

"Sandy! I raised you, not her. You owe me. You think you can just walk away after everything I did for you?"

If his real daughter still gave him money, he wouldn't have bothered with Sandy at

all.

"I already gave you everything I had.

I don't have any money left." Sandy had moved her last bit of cash somewhere safe just so Frank Wouldn't get his hands on it. No one knew what he was like betterthan she did.

"Nothing, huh?"

"Nothing," Sandy said, her voice clear and steady.

Frank nodded. "Alright. Don't blame me for this."

A wave of dread crashed over Sandy. Before she could even get up, Frank pulled

out a rag and clamped it over her mouth and nose.

She might not have recognized the smell before, but after her time in med school; she knew exactly what it was. That harsh, chemical sting was some kind of anesthetic She'd be out cold in seconds if she breathed it in.

No. She couldn't let herself pass out. She had to stay awake.

She fought like crazy, clawing at Frank's wrist, then bit down as hard as she could. Frank yelped, his grip going slack just long enough for her to break free. She scrambled for the landline, desperate, but before she could call the police, Frank was on her again, rage written allover his face.

She jabbed the first name in her contacts... It was Luke.

"You little bitch! You bit me!" Frank snarled, yanking her hair so hard her scalp burned. Sandy clung to the edge of the sofa, silently begging Luke to answer.

"Go to hell."

Frank's hand crashed into the back of her neck. Pain shot through her, everything went black, and she hit the floor, slipping into darkness.