Chapter 1

My life was cursed from the start. Broken leg at three. Deaf in one ear by five. Eye lost by eight.

After my rich parents finally took me home, Chloe, the fake heiress, hissed a cruel threat.

"Even if you're back, I'm still the only Hayes daughter! Try anything, and I'll break your other leg!"

I stared, uncomprehending. Then, without a word, I detached both my prosthetic legs.

My parents’ faces drained of color as they saw my empty pants legs.

My brother Caleb’s expression darkened. He leaned in, his voice a low warning not to upset Chloe.

I just pointed to my ear with an innocent look and shouted. "WHAT?! Someone beat me deaf in this ear! I CAN’T HEAR YOU!"

He staggered back, looking like he'd seen a ghost.

At the gala, Chloe tried to frame me, faking a fall down the stairs. In the process, she tore my dress.

Just as Caleb led my parents over to confront me, they saw my body covered in scars.

The world froze. My father rushed to wrap me in his arms.

"What happened?! Tell me!"

Seeing their horror, Chloe scrambled to her feet, desperate to distance herself.

"I didn’t do it! Don’t you dare blame me!"

I nodded.

No, she didn't do it. The traffickers did.

I was the only child from my village to ever escape alive.

I'd made a promise to the little friends I left behind. I would make the monsters pay.