Burn Those Who Burned Me novel Chapter 204

Chapter 204

Chapter 2: The Real Taylor Daughter.

As Josie made her way to the bus stop, She noticed Christian’s car speed by. He glared as he passed her. He still couldn’t believe she would rather take the bus than get into his car. Four years ago, she would have practically begged him to let her ride with him.

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Josie was the youngest child of Laura and Harold Taylor, however, a mix–up at the hospital the night she was born caused them to take home the wrong child. By the time the truth came out, thirteen years had passed. At the time, Josie was living with whom she thought to be her maternal grandmother Darlene Bowen. For the past five years, Darlene had been taking care of Josie along with her cousin Marlon. Their parents all died in a plane crash when she was eight and he was eleven years old. Despite that, Josie had a happy life, that is until she moved in with the Taylors.

Her grandmother provided her and her cousin with love and support. While she and Marlon were as close as any brother and sister could be. Life was pretty good, that was until the hospital found out an error had been made. To avoid a lawsuit, they came clean about the switch, however, when Josie was taken back to the Taylors, the familiy petitioned the courts to keep Vanessa. Stating that Darlene was too old and inadequate to care for a teenage girl.

Because of their wealth and status, the courts sided with them. The truth was, they just didn’t want to let go of the ‘daughter‘ they’d raised for over thirteen years. At first, Josie could understand that, although they weren’t her blood family, she loved her grandmother and cousin dearly. When she first moved in with the Taylors, Josie tried everything she could to help them feel comfortable around her, but as time went on, it was painfully clear they did not see her as their daughteror sister; and only loved Vanessa.

Still, she would do everything she could, from excelling in school, to being attentive around the estate, she would help her siblings anytime they needed it. She learned how to make specialty soups for her brother Jamie who always seemed to have a sensitive stomach. But it wasn’t enough; in the end, all they cared about was Vanessa.

One night, while cleaning, Vanessa came prancing into the kitchen as Josie was making a hot water solution to wipe down the stove. As Josie picked up the bucket, Vanessa bumped into her causing the solution to spill all over Josie with just a few drops splashing on Vanessa; but the way she screamed, you would have thought it was third degree burns.

“Ahh!!!”

Hearing Vanessa scream, everyone came running into the kitchen.

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Chapter 204

“Oh, my god!! Nessie!! What happened!!!”

“I got burned with Josie’s cleaning solution.”

Before Josie could say anything, Laura grabbed her arm.

“Josie! What the hell is wrong with you! Are you trying to kill your sister!!”

She had been so furious, she didn’t notice the huge burn scar on Josie’s arm. As she gripped her arm, the burn, now blistering began to bleed.

“I didn’t mean-”

“Jesus Josie! I know you grew up in the slums, but this is unbecoming! Vanessa is our baby sister!”

The slums? Josie didn’t grow up in the slums, sure her family wasn’t rich, but they weren’t poor either. Laura let go of Josie’s arm with force causing her to almost fall.

As they all swarmed around Vanessa to check her very minor injury, she began to speak in that sugary voice she always used.

“Guys, don’t be mad at Josie….I bumped into her…it’s not her fault.”

Christian scoffed,

“I swear Ness, you’re entirely too sweet for your own good.”

What was that supposed to mean? It really was her fault. Still, Josie knew better by now than to try and defend herself. It cause her way more trouble than it was worth. That night, she had to tend to her own arm as they all waited hand in foot on the burn victim Vanessa. Over the years, that was the pattern. Vanessa would cause a mishap with Josie, and they would all fall for it. At first, Josie thought Vanessa didn’t mean her minor mishaps. That they truly were accidents. But she would soon later learn, everything Vanessa did was well calculated to ensure the family loved her and hated

Josie.

As time went on, Josie maintained her same outgoing energy, hanging on to the hope that one day the Taylors would finally accept her as one of their own. On top of that, she still had her nana and her cousin. It wasn’t great but it was bearable. That was, until the year Josie and Vanessa turned eighteen. That year, everything fell apart.

For her 18th birthday, the Taylor’s bought Vanessa a car. Although their birthdays were on the same

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Chapter 204

day, the Taylors never celebrated Josie. Still, it was fine, she was celebrating with her nana and cousin. That night it was a triple celebration, Marlon had just got accepted into a four year research program, and Josie had just got accepted into Bridgeton’s top University.

The next day, everything went to hell. Josie has just got back from the doctors office with her grandmother, she’d noticed she seemed unusally fatigued. Turns out, she had stage three stomach cancer. Josie was beside herself; she wasn’t sure how her nana would be able to afford the treatment.

“Nana…what are we going to do! We have to figure out how we can get you the proper treatment! I’m calling Marlon. Maybe he can-”

“You’ll do no such thing!”

“Nana?”

“You’ll do no such thing. For one, Marlon can’t receive calls for the next four years. He’s in a remote location.”

That was true, where Marlon was going, he wouldn’t be able to communicate for the next four years.

“Yeah but maybe we can catch him before he-”

“Josie! I said no! Your cousin worked his entire school career for this! We’re not going to ruin it!”

Josie understood where her grandmother was coming from, and she didn’t want to be selfish but

what else could she do!

“Then I’ll ask my parents! They know how much you mean to me! I’ll ask them!! I’ll be right back!”

Before Darlene could protest, Josie was out the door. Darlene wasn’t fond of the Taylors; she hated the way they mistreated her granddaughter. She couldn’t understand why they couldn’t simply love both of the girls.

Josie raced home. Barging through the door, she immediately ran to her father’s study. Harold was in the room speaking with Christian when Josie busted in.

“Father!! I need your help! Please!!!”

Harold looked at Josie irritated, how dare she burst into his office unannounced like that.

“What the hell do you want! I’m busy-”

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Chapter 204

“I need to save my grandmother!! She’s sick! She has stage three cancer, and she doesn’t have enough money for the treatment! Please…can you help her!”

Harold looked at Josie with disdain, what the hell did he care if that woman was sick…it wasn’t his

problem.

“Why should I help some old woman?”

Old woman? Josie could hardly believe her ears, after all, biologically she was also his precious Vanessa’s grandmother. Before Josie could protest, Laura came running into the study in a panic.

“Harold!! Come downstairs quick! It’s Nessie!!”

Without hesitation, both Harold and Christian ran out the room. Josie soon followed. When she got downstairs, she saw Vanessa sitting on the sofa crying profusely in Jamie’s arms.

“I didn’t mean it!! I didn’t mean it!!!”

Turns out, Vanessa while under the influence, accidentally hit and killed someone.

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