We'll Survive
At twelve, Amélie Rose Parker was already extraordinary — her wavy brown hair shimmered with gold in the sunlight, her hazel-green eyes thoughtful yet bold. Born to Camille Laurent-Parker, a French photographer, and Ethan Parker, an American painter, she inherited both their artistry and their strength. Her skin, a soft blend of her parents’ tones, reflected her mixed heritage. Amélie began drawing before she could spell her name, her talent astonishing even seasoned artists. Her paintings, once sold through the family gallery, were saved in a private account she could access at eighteen.
Her younger brother, Julien Leo, two years old, was the family’s miracle — a cheerful boy with sandy curls, green eyes, and a dimpled smile. But one quiet Saturday evening shattered their perfect world. On their way home from delivering paintings, Camille and Ethan’s car crashed. Both died instantly.
After the funeral, Amélie and Julien were sent to America to live with their aunt Leah and her husband Collin, who had three children of their own. Leah sold the gallery, stole their parents’ savings, and resented not being able to touch Amélie’s account. She starved, beat, and neglected them until a neighbor reported the abuse. The siblings were moved to an orphanage, where Amélie’s art was exploited — her paintings sold, the money pocketed.
At fifteen, Amélie overheard matrons planning to send Julien away to Italy with a childless couple. Terrified of losing him, she decided there was only one way to stay together — to run away and never look back.