All Chapters of Summer Siege Survival: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

I ran like my life depended on it—because it did. I had nothing on me but a small crossbody bag, not even a change of clothes. The only things I brought were my ten-year-old twin daughters, Kaia and Nova Mercer."Three tickets on the next train out. One adult, two children."My hands were shaking so badly when I paid that I nearly dropped my phone.I hadn’t even looked at where the train was going. It wasn’t until we were seated and the high-speed train began to move that I finally exhaled.Kaia and Nova stared around wide-eyed, curiosity written all over their faces, yet they kept glancing at me like they wanted to ask something but didn’t dare."I know you have questions," I said gently. "But going on a trip is always fun."I paused, then pulled out the tickets and checked them. Our final stop was Verdant Coast, Silverlake.My fingers brushed over the printed name of the city, tracing the letters. A faint smile tugged at my lips.For the longest time, I had wanted to go to Ve

Chapter 2

Two hours was more than enough time for me to get far away on the high-speed train. When Vanessa’s name lit up on my phone, I switched it straight to airplane mode."We’ll be there soon. Then we’ll go buy new clothes."I wrapped my arms around my girls, smiling. That mess could be Dominic’s problem now. In my last life, he had conveniently vanished and walked away with a spotless reputation, while I worked myself to the brink of insanity day and night.At first, he would lecture his nieces and nephews a little. However, after that, he couldn’t even be bothered. He left early, came home late, and pretended not to see anything. Still, he had the nerve to question why I was spending money so quickly.I sneered inwardly. Those four kids ate like they’d been starved their entire lives and demanded this and that nonstop. How could it not cost money?"Yay! But, Mom, are our cousins still coming to our house? I hate it when they dig through our rooms.""Yeah! And Jaxon doesn’t close the

Chapter 3

In this life, Dominic couldn’t play the invisible man anymore. From the photos and short videos he sent, our once tidy home was now a complete disaster.Trash covered the floor. The coffee table was piled high with clutter. I didn’t even have to imagine it; the place had to stink. In this heat, leaving garbage inside the house would turn it rancid fast."Now I get why you ran off. I just got into a fight with those two brats and gave them a good beating. They’re cleaning the house now like they should’ve been doing all along."The last message was a video. Two half-grown boys stood there with dark bruises striping their backs, while a girl cried somewhere off-camera.That had to be the nieces, Brielle and Mila Mercer.I wasn't pleased. This was exactly how it had started before.In my previous life, I had tried discipline too. When talking didn’t work, I’d snatched away the tablet, accidentally leaving red marks on my nephew’s hand.For that alone, Vanessa had berated me until I

Chapter 4

I had anticipated it. The instant she stumbled, I twisted sideways and stepped back, dodging the splash, and directly behind me stood Brielle and Mila.The next second, a piercing scream tore through the room."AHHH!!!" Vanessa shrieked, dropping the pot and rushing toward her daughters.This time, because she was present, the liquid wasn’t the mild chili from my previous life. It was a pot of violently bubbling chili con carne, slick with red oil.The girls hadn’t reacted in time. The scalding liquid drenched them from head to toe, coating their faces and hair. They clawed wildly at their skin, wailing in agony.It had all happened in a flash. Dominic hadn’t even processed it until everything was already over."Call an ambulance! Hurry!"I forced panic into my voice. Dominic stammered before finally snapping out of it and dialing emergency services.The boiling red chili blistered their faces instantly. As they rubbed frantically at the burns, the skin sloughed away, exposing

Chapter 5

It would be ideal if money could solve it."$5,000.""$5,000 each."They both stared at me at the same time, grinning. The way their fat cheeks squeezed together made my stomach turn.I pulled out my phone and transferred the money without hesitation. Just to be safe, I used Dominic’s card and added a note: "Game top-up for nephews".While they went to check whether the payment had come through, I bolted to my daughters’ room and locked the door behind me.My heart had taken too many shocks today. After making sure the door was securely locked, I slid down to the floor, clutching my head, my hands trembling nonstop."Mom, are you okay?" Nova rubbed her eyes sleepily, staring at me in a daze.I patted my cheeks, forced my expression back under control, and reassured them. Watching their peaceful sleeping faces, my thoughts became even clearer.If Dominic still couldn’t tell right from wrong, I would take my daughters and leave. I couldn’t keep them around these dangerous people

Chapter 6

Early the next morning, I took my daughters to my parents’ house. When I returned, Jaxon and Rykel were still asleep, snoring like thunder.There were several missed calls on my phone that I hadn’t noticed because it was on silent. All of them were from Dominic."The injuries are really severe this time. The girls’ faces are completely ruined." His tone was unusually grave.My hand felt ice-cold as I held the phone, my palm slick with sweat. In my previous life, I had been the one suffering. I hadn’t even survived long enough to wait for an ambulance.Back then, it hadn’t involved Vanessa at all. I had been carrying a mild chili when one of the boys deliberately tripped me. This time, Vanessa herself had spilled the pot.The circumstances were completely different."Why did you spend $10,000 last night while we were at the hospital?""Your nephews asked for it. What was I supposed to say?" I answered coolly."Forget it. We’ll talk when I get back. Listen, when Vanessa comes hom

Chapter 7

My mom froze for a moment, then smiled. "It’s not a big deal. If you want a divorce, then get one. I adore my granddaughters. Bringing them here would make the house lively again. And if nothing else, your dad’s and my retirement money is enough for all of us to live on.""That won’t be necessary. I’m not disabled. Finding a job isn’t that hard."Worst case, I could return to my old line of work. Several former clients had been begging me to come back for years."Fine, fine. You decide. Don’t worry about the girls." She waved her hand dismissively, giving me a powerful sense of reassurance.I lowered my gaze to my phone. Ever since I sent the divorce agreement, Dominic had gone completely silent, as if he’d vanished.My finger swiped across the screen, pulling up the living room security feed.Dominic sat on the sofa. The two boys were sprawled on the other side, wearing nothing but underwear, their pale, heavy bodies exposed, as they hurled profanities about killing people while

Chapter 8

Dominic disappeared completely.My phone stayed quiet, too. I found a job and started working, and every day after finishing their homework, Nova and Kaia went with my parents to the community sports center to exercise.Life felt full and happy.Half a month later, Dominic suddenly contacted me and asked to meet at the civil affairs office. He agreed to the divorce."Long time no see."I spotted him outside the building. He hadn’t been home these past weeks, and nothing came up in the security cameras' feed.He had lost a lot of weight. The confident, high-spirited man I once knew was gone, replaced by someone who looked older and worn down."Talia, you and the girls are doing okay?" He rubbed his eyes wearily."We’re doing fine." I nodded."That’s good. As long as you’re okay. I trust you with the kids." He sighed, already holding his documents, and went inside to complete the paperwork without another word.He didn’t speak to me again during the process.Before summer ende

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP