Broken & Betrayed II: Chaos: Broken & Betrayed, #2

By Lydia V. Simms

Julissa thinks it's all over, but little does she know that everything is just beginning. As she tries to live a new life of peace, her homeroom teacher, Helga Crosstown, seems to be someone that she has to keep an eye on. Helga uses every chance she can to torment Holly Oakley constantly. But once Julissa takes a deeper look at who Helga is, she begins to wish she never got herself involved. Because Helga isn't just a homeroom teacher—she has a dark life behind closed doors. What are Julissa Elrod and her friends going to do when they discover the sinister reality behind their teacher?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lydia V. Simms
• Release date: Jan 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224907281

Lydia V. Simms

Lydia Simms is an African-American author writing books with characters that relate to the youth of today. Her books strive to create connections between various ethnicities and cultures by writing books about real social issues. Some of her books are inspired by other people's real-life experiences, while others are inspired by her own creative mind. She has always been a writer throughout her childhood, starting from the young age of six. And now, after so many years of hard work, she's a self-published author at Amazon KDP, looking to gain a teenage audience that can relate to her stories.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sandra Hemming smoked a cigarette while reading up on Kenneth Elrod and his daughter, Julissa. They seemed to be getting by so well without her. And it made her jealous.

She sat down on her bed as Mark came in.

Where's the money? he asked.

What money? she replied.

Don't play dumb. I spent all my money yesterday playing poker and you promised to replace it, he reminded her.

I was drunk when I said that, she replied.

I don't care what you were when you said that. You said what you said and you'll do it.

Mark wasn't the type of guy to hunker down and listen. He was fiery and rebellious. If he wanted something, he got it.

And if I can't give it to you? she asked. If I'm in debt and I have to save the money for something else?

I've got an easy solution.

He reached for his bag and pulled out a shotgun.

For now, this is empty. I forgive your debt, woman, he said menacingly. But next time, if I don't get my money, I'll pull that trigger and your brains will be all over the place. And nobody's gonna cry for you, he said.

Sandra's heart was almost beating out of her chest. She never knew that this was what her relationship with Mark was actually going to be like. She never knew this was what he thought of her.

And that was when she started feeling sore everywhere. And it hurt the worst in her chest. She smoked the last of her cigarette and left it in the ashtray. As she clutched her heart, she fell down, wishing she had never cheated on Kenneth Elrod.

Chapter 2

Julissa Elrod sat down in the classroom, bored by whatever lesson her least favorite teacher, Helga Crosstown, was about to teach. Helga was Cindy’s father’s new girlfriend, and she kept coming over to Cindy’s house. Julissa felt sorry for Holly and Cindy because they were the ones who had to entertain Helga and communicate with her frequently.

As Julissa waited for Helga to stop texting and finally get up to teach the lesson, she discreetly began using her phone by hiding it under her desk. She then opened up a social media app, trying her hardest to find a source of entertainment without being noticed.

The first post she saw sent chills down her back.

It was a picture of Harold Oakley, Cindy’s father, slipping a ring onto Helga’s finger. They were going to get married. And when she scrolled a little lower, she saw a post of Helga happily smiling while holding a positive pregnancy test.

The pictures made Julissa gag. She shut off her phone and slipped it back into her bag, making a mental note to tell Cindy about this if she hadn’t seen or heard it yet.

Julissa always had a dark feeling about who Helga was. She imagined her scheming behind the scenes, having bad intentions, and doing evil things.

Maybe it was time to stop listening to her feelings and start taking action. Starting now.

Chapter 3

Later that night, Cindy and her mother, Holly, were eating dinner together in their living room, enjoying their TV dinners while watching an action movie.

So, I’m planning for us to move out, Holly said.

Really? Where to?

I can’t tell you that, but if I manage to impress a housing company with my credit score, I can buy a small house for us on a loan. We’ll be living farther away from your father, Holly said.

Great. Since my homeroom teacher started dating him, passing by his house on the way to the bus stop has been miserable. They’re always groping each other and showing off to the neighbors on their porch.

I knew they were both made for each other. Classless, Holly said.

Exactly. I’ve never been impressed by people who can’t keep their business behind closed doors.

Holly picked up her phone to see a text sent to her from someone she knew.

Harold Oakley, her arrogant and disloyal ex.

Ready to welcome Miss Helga in your life? Ready to be a stepmom to Cindy’s half-sibling?

What the actual hell? Cindy, do you have any knowledge of this? Holly exclaimed as she turned the phone screen to her daughter’s view.

Um, no, Cindy said. "Wait a minute? Why does Helga have a ring on in the picture? And she’s pregnant too?"

I have no idea what this means, Holly said. But I know this isn’t anything good. I like living by God’s standards and not jumping to conclusions and judging people, but I already can sense what Harold’s intentions are.

He's going to use his marriage and his child as an excuse to come over every day and harass us, Cindy said. He’ll tell me that I’m a bad older sister if I don’t try to bond with Helga and help her with the baby.

"I don’t know what to do or say about this. But for some reason, I have this feeling that Helga could possibly be using Harold. I mean, cheaters never find loyalty after being known for cheating. So how do we know if she really loves Harold and wants to be with him?"

She doesn’t, Cindy said. I feel it. And my friend, Julissa, feels it too.

Remember last year?

Last year?

Julissa and Anthony had this amazing plan. Which was kind of scary too. They planted recording devices on you and Sandra without your knowledge and managed to find out what secrets you and her were hiding.

Oh, that. But we can’t do that this time around.

I know. But you children may be able to come up with a good idea. You’re the younger generation. You guys are undoubtedly smart and creative.

I’ll text Julissa and see if she’ll draft up something. But I’ll have to explain everything to her.

It’s not like Harold probably hasn’t advertised everything.

It won’t be a big deal to tell Julissa everything, in that case.

I just hope you can put an end to Harold’s antics. And quickly. If there’s any need for the advice or intervention of an adult, I’ll help.

I know you will. And I’ll be glad to include you. Minors can do a lot, but if we have to involve the law, adults will be the best ones to do that part of the job.

Chapter 4

The next morning, while sitting on the bus, Cindy began asking Julissa some questions related to Helga and Harold.

Did you see this post? Cindy asked Julissa, showing her the phone screen full of pictures of Helga and Harold showing off Helga’s ring and pregnancy tests.

Yeah. I saw it yesterday, but I wanted to wait until the right time to tell you, Julissa responded sheepishly.

"Well, we have to act now. I have this huge suspicion that Helga is just trying to spite me and my