Chapter 1

The heat inside the oven surged from every direction. Everything was scorching hot, as if on fire.

I pounded desperately on the glass door in front of me until my hands turned red.

"Daddy! I learned my lesson! Save me! It's too hot! I want to get out!" I screamed, sobbing.

My skin accidentally brushed against the metal wall, and the sharp sting made me pull back instantly.

Dustin Decker leaned close to the oven and said smugly, "That's what you get for always bragging about your dad at school. Well, he doesn't want you anymore. From now on, he's only buying toys for me, and he's only going to love me."

"No! He's my daddy!" I cried so hard my voice went hoarse.

Sweat and tears dripped onto the floor of the oven, sizzling and evaporating in an instant.

Dustin gave me a nasty grin, then turned and ran out of the kitchen.

I heard him talking to my dad, Peter Johnson, in the hallway.

"Daddy, Julian is inside the oven talking bad about you. He said if you don't let him out, he's going to find Larry Patterson, the bakery owner, and make him his new dad!"

"No! I didn't say that. Daddy, don't believe him!" I cried out.

But a second later, I heard my dad answer angrily, "He can stay in there as long as he wants! He's been spoiled rotten, and that's why he has such an awful temper. Come on, Dustin, I'll take you to buy some new toys."

The front door slammed shut with a heavy bang, leaving behind only the low hum of the oven.

The heat was suffocating; my hands and feet throbbed with pain.

The gold cross necklace around my neck began to scorch my skin. It was a gift from my parents. Daddy used to tell me that as long as I wore it, I would always be safe and sound.

It was burning hot. I wanted to take it off, but I hesitated.

I simply couldn't take it off. It was my fault Mommy and Daddy got separated in the first place. If I took it off, Daddy would be even madder at me.

I curled up into a ball, my head feeling light and dizzy.

"Daddy, why aren't you coming to save me? Daddy, do you really not want me anymore? I miss you so much."

I curled up in agony as consciousness slowly slipped away from me.

"Daddy, I'll be good from now on," I mumbled.

When I opened my eyes again, I was floating weightlessly in the living room.

The big oven in the kitchen was quiet now, its glass door smudged with dirty little handprints.

I hovered closer and peered inside. A small, dark figure was huddled motionless at the bottom.

Was that me?

Just then, Dustin's excited voice rang out from the bedroom.

"Daddy, is this big room going to be mine now? Can I play with all these action figures on the shelf?"

Daddy glanced reflexively toward the kitchen, his forehead creasing slightly. But it lasted only a fraction of a second before he turned back to Dustin with the same warm smile he used to give me.

"Of course. Everything in this house is yours now. Just tell me whatever you want."

Dustin smirked triumphantly, then instantly switched to a look of concern.

"But what about Julian? Won't he be mad at me?"

Daddy's smile stiffened, then gave way to disgust a heartbeat later. He scoffed. "What right does he have to be mad? Not only did he refuse to come out of the oven, but now he's throwing a tantrum in there. Dustin, are you hungry? I bought some delicious food for you."

Daddy led Dustin to the dining table. They sat down together, chatting and laughing.

Not once did either of them look toward the kitchen to check the oven.

The table was covered with hot pizza and all sorts of expensive treats. But my eyes were drawn straight to the strawberry cake sitting at the edge of the table.

That was my absolute favorite. Daddy used to buy it for me all the time.

A tiny flicker of hope stirred in my chest.

Did Daddy buy the strawberry cake for me? Did that mean he wasn't angry anymore?

Just then, Dustin took a huge bite of pizza and spotted the strawberry cake too.