The Forgotten Heiress novel Chapter 3

"Yes, Riley, it is," her mom confirmed, ushering Jessica into the house.

Jessica took a step forward and bit her lip to keep herself from screaming in pain. Her ankle was on fire; it was healing improperly, she could feel it. She was going to have to re-brake it and splint it herself in order for it to heal properly.

It was going to hurt. Deliberately breaking ones bones on purpose wasn't easy. Especially with higher than normal bone density; and pain, pain was body's way of telling you to step back from the burning stove.

She might heal a faster rate but she wasn't immune to the pain.

Jessica followed them silently past the high ceilinged foyer, down the hall way and into their family room. She immediately recognized its understated elegance and was hesitant to take another step forward. A floor to ceiling set of windows with a view of the back yard took up most of the wall across from the entrance.

The light brown walls accentuated the darker colored furniture very well. And one of them was home to a collage of Family pictures. Seeing all those smiling faces made something in her chest ache and Jessica turned away.

This should have been her home. She should have been a part of those pictures, a part of this family. But she wasn't.

It was too much for Jessica. She couldn't deal with an emotional reunion on top of an injury. She had to get away. She needed to regroup.

"I can't do this." Jessica told them, taking a jerky step back. With them staring at her she couldn't help but feel like the main circus attraction. She hated the feeling because with her abilities she knew she belonged in one, that or in a secret lab somewhere.

Lauren looked alarmed and tried to reach for her.

Jessica took another step back, evading her touch. "I'm sorry, I thought I could but I can't. I don't think I'm ready for this. I think I need to get some rest first."

"Maybe you are right. We have a room for you. You can rest and freshen up there and we can talk later, there's no hurry." Lauren assured her.

She stepped away from her husband and lead Jessica to the second floor. Looking back every couple of steps to make sure Jessica followed. She didn't know that Jessica had no choice but to stay.