Chapter 1
While I was abroad handling my father’s funeral, a text from my daughter shattered everything.
[Mom, please save me. I don’t want to give Sofia my kidney.]
[I won’t fight with her anymore. I just want to live.]
I rushed home overnight–only to find my precious daughter locked away in the basement like a prisoner.
The two bodyguards I’d handpicked to protect her were now doting on my adopted daughter, Sofia Thorne, even spoon–feeding her like
she was royalty.
As soon as I walked through the door, they had the nerve to speak.
“Amara, Sofia has a weakened immune system. All we’re asking is for Shirley to donate a kidney, and she refuses–so cruel and
heartless.”
“She donated a kidney–she’s still got another. What matters is that Sofia survives. If Shirley refuses, then she can stay down there
forever.”
“Sofia’s taken over as CEO. As for Shirley–once she agrees to the kidney donation, she can start from the bottom.”
I looked down at my daughter–chained like an animal, her wrists raw and bleeding, her eyes vacant. Rage clawed its way up my throat.
I had only been away for three goddamn months to deal with my father’s passing, and in that time, these three idiots thought they could hijack the Voss family’s legacy and torture my child.
I was Amara Voss. And I would make sure every one of them paid.
My family stood out among Northbridge’s old–money elites: we were led by women, always had been, for generations.
My daughter was born fragile, so to ensure her safety, I’d personally chosen two boys from an orphanage–Matthew and Jax–and raised them by her side.
When Shirley turned thirteen, my husband showed up one day with a starving girl in his arms–skin and bones, trembling with fear. I felt a twinge of pity. Maybe, I thought, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing for Shirley to have a sister.
‘That’s how Sofia became part of our family.
But I never expected that the ones I brought into her life for companionship and amusement would one day band together to betray her.
I rushed to unshackle the chains wrapped around my daughter’s wrists. Her skin was torn, rust staining the blood crusted over the raw
marks.
My heart was pounding as I scooped her into my arms, ready to bolt for the hospital.
Just as I reached the door, Sofia threw herself into the doorway, eyes red and swollen with tears. She fell to the floor and cried out,
“Amara, if you’re going to blame someone, blame me. If the boys hadn’t been worried about me, they wouldn’t have locked Shirley up. Maybe I’m just not worth saving…maybe that’s why she won’t help me. But even if I only get one more day on this earth, I’ll still be grateful.”
She tried to stand but collapsed again, weak and delicate as ever.
Before I could respond, Matthew and Jax rushed forward and caught her mid–fall, cradling her like she were made of porcelain. They gathered around her, one on each side, murmuring gently:
“Don’t be silly, Sofia. Amara must see you as her real daughter by now. She’ll give you whatever you want.”
“That’s right. Even if you needed both of Shirley’s kidneys–what does it matter? If it means you get to live a healthy life, it’s worth it.”
“You’re so pure, Sofia. When you inherit the Voss family estate, we’ll be right by your side. No one will ever hurt you again.”
Hearing those words, Shirley clung tightly to my shirt, trembling in my arms. I could feel the fear in her grip, the dread that even I might betray her too.
But I knew better. I had always known my daughter had a crush on Matthew. And now, here she was humiliated by the very people she once trusted.
I didn’t have the time or patience to argue.
All I felt was fury and heartbreak for my child.
“That’s enough!” I snapped. “I’m taking Shirley to the hospital. Move, or get out of my way.”
My voice boomed through the basement.
Sofia flinched and cowered deeper into Matthew’s arms, her shoulders trembling.
Jax, still full of indignation, shot me a glare and growled.
“Have you even asked about Sofia since you got back? She hasn’t eaten dinner!”
He reached out and grabbed Shirley’s bruised arm.
“Stop faking it, Shirley. How long are you going to keep up this act?”
“Sofia’s in tears because of you. You’re the cruel one.
I didn’t hesitate.
I slammed my knee straight into his groin.
Scum like him didn’t deserve to touch my daughter–ever.
He collapsed to the ground, groaning in agony.
“Matthew!” he screamed. “Stop her! She can’t leave until she agrees to the transplant!”
“We promised Sofia we’d protect her!”
Matthew stood, gently laying Sofia on the couch. Then he stepped between me and the door.
His eyes were calm. But dangerous.
“Forgive me, Amara. We can’t let you go.”
I had sent him and Jax to train in close combat–so they could protect Shirley.
Now I was the one testing their skills.
I stepped right up to Matthew, staring him down without flinching.
At six feet tall, he thought he was intimidating – but that look in his eyes, the clenched fists, the bulging veins… it was all bluff.
One more step, and he probably would’ve swung.
As a woman in power, I made damn sure my bodyguards had seen blood before.
I gave a sharp whistle.
In a flash, Matthew was on the floor, pinned like a wild animal.
Whatever flashy moves he’d learned were better suited for back–alley brawls–not standing in my way.
Every second he wasted put my daughter at risk.
And if she suffered because of it, I’d make sure they all paid.
