“Let me go!”
Evelyn struggled with all her might as the two burly men dragged her through the living room.
Her leg slammed into the table leg. Her shoulder slammed into the wall. She endured the pain, alone and without any help from her family.
Without her white cane, Evelyn didn’t know where to go. The world that had long been dark now felt even more terrifying.
“Help!” she screamed until her voice grew hoarse. “Help, anyone! I beg you,” she pleaded anxiously.
Not far away, several servants stood frozen in place. They were people who had once worked for the late Celeste Moretti—Celeste’s trusted servants, tasked with watching over and protecting Evelyn.
They had known Evelyn since she was a child. They watched as their young mistress was dragged away without mercy. Yet, there was nothing they could do for her.
They lowered their gaze, unable to bear seeing Evelyn treated that way. In fact, one of the older servants covered her mouth as she wept.
“Miss Evelyn,” she murmured.
When the elderly waitress could no longer bear to watch Evelyn’s suffering, she was about to help her. Suddenly, Isabella stopped her with a threat.
“Back off!” Isabella snapped sharply. “Anyone who dares to interfere will be fired on the spot.”
No one dared to move after hearing that threat.
Evelyn heard stifled sobs. However, not a single hand reached out to help her.
Her chest felt tight.
“I beg you,” her voice trembled. “Don’t take me!”
With all the courage she had left, Evelyn thrust her body forward.
Finally, she managed to break free. Ignoring the pain in her knees, she tried to run.
One step. Two steps. Three steps.
“I have to get out, I have to get out of here,” she resolved.
However, she didn’t notice the large marble pillar right in front of her.
Her forehead slammed hard against the pillar. Her body staggered. Warm blood trickled slowly from her temple.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Sophia, meanwhile, burst out laughing.
“Look! She can’t even run away,” she sneered. “And she’s acting like she wants to escape. Idiot!”
Evelyn gritted her teeth. She felt her way along the floor again, trying to find her bearings.
Before she could even stand up, the two men grabbed her again.
“No! Let me go!”
Evelyn struggled, kicked, and even bit one of the men’s hands until he cursed in pain. She did everything she could to defend herself.
“Damn woman!” the man cursed.
A hard slap landed on her cheek.
Her head snapped to the side.
The salty taste of blood now filled her lips.
“Dad.” Evelyn’s voice was faint.
Tears streamed down her face, uncontrollably.
“Dad, help me.” Her father paid no attention whatsoever to Evelyn’s pleas.
A familiar set of footsteps drew closer.
Richard.
For a moment, Evelyn’s hope was rekindled.
“Dad,” she whispered softly. “I know you’ll save me.”
Richard stopped right in front of her.
The silence that followed lasted just a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity.
Then, the man spoke to Evelyn.
“Evelyn.” His tone was cold.
“Stop bringing shame on this family,” Richard said.
Her hopes were shattered in an instant.
“Dad,” Evelyn pouted.
“Go away!” Richard snapped.
Richard didn’t even touch his daughter. He didn’t hug her. Nor did he apologize.
“The sooner you leave, the sooner all my debts will be paid off,” Richard said.
Those words cut deeper than a knife. Evelyn’s body shook violently.
“What did you say?” Evelyn’s eyes widened in shock.
“So,” she smiled bitterly through her tears, “all this time, to you, I’ve been nothing more than a number on a piece of paper. Is that really true?”
Richard turned his face away. He couldn’t bear to look at his daughter. He felt a twinge of guilt, however slight.
Isabella approached, smoothing out her expensive dress.
“Don’t blame us,” Isabella said.
“In fact, you should be thanking us for taking care of you all this time,” she continued.
Evelyn frowned. “What?”
“Thanks to you, this family still has a chance to survive.”
Sophia crossed her arms over her chest.
“At least you’re finally useful, Eve.”
Sophia leaned in and whispered right into Evelyn’s ear.
“If only you’d died with your mother that night,” said Sophia.
“We wouldn’t have had to bear this burden for the past fifteen years. There’s nothing this family can be proud of when it comes to you, you blind girl,” she sneered.
After Celeste died in an accident fifteen years ago, Evelyn—who had lost her sight—was raised by her father, Richard. Shortly after that, Richard married Isabella and brought his wife and stepdaughter home.
Richard’s attention toward Evelyn wasn’t what it used to be. After Isabella and Sophia entered their family’s life, Evelyn was neglected. Her father’s love was divided, and Evelyn even felt like a stranger in her own home.
“Wake up, Eve. Dad told you to leave here. You heard him yourself, didn’t you?” Sophia taunted again.
Evelyn burst into tears. Not out of fear. But because, for the first time, she truly felt unwanted.
Her chest felt tight. Her breathing quickened. The voices around her slowly faded away. Her head grew lighter and lighter.
“Mom,” she murmured softly.
That was the only name that managed to escape her lips. Suddenly, everything went dark. Evelyn’s body went limp in the men’s forceful embrace.
“Mom, help me!” she cried out as she lost consciousness.
***
About an hour later, a black car pulled up in front of a massive iron gate. The De Luca family crest was emblazoned there in grand style.
Dozens of armed men stood guard. The car door opened.
“Boss.”
“We’ve brought her.”
A tall man in a black suit stood with his back to them. His gaze remained fixed on the garden shrouded in the night mist.
“So, Richard paid his debt with his daughter?” he asked flatly.
“Yes, Boss.”
“And?”
The henchman swallowed hard.
“The girl is blind.”
Silence enveloped the De Luca mansion’s courtyard.
A few seconds later, the man chuckled softly. A laugh that held absolutely no warmth.
“So,” his voice was low.
“That’s the price Richard Moretti paid to save his life.” He finally turned around.
His gaze was as cold as winter.
“Move her!” the man ordered.
The subordinate waited for further instructions.
“To the underground storage room.”
“Boss?” the man looked hesitant.
“It’s the coldest and dirtiest room in the mansion.”
The man’s expression didn’t change at all.
“If Richard thinks his daughter is worth no more than paying off a debt, then I have no reason to treat her any better.”
“Take her there—don’t let her escape!”
His men bowed their heads and carried out his orders.
“Yes, Boss.”
“Oh, and give her whatever food you have. If she refuses it, just let her die. Got it?”
“I understand, Boss.”
Just as Evelyn’s unconscious body was about to be lifted again, her finger twitched ever so slightly. Only a little. Yet, it was enough for someone there to notice. Unbeknownst to anyone, Lorenzo De Luca’s piercing gaze lingered on the girl’s pale face longer than it should have.
“This girl,” Lorenzo murmured softly.
“Boss, what are we going to do with that blind girl?” asked one of his men.
Lorenzo was silent for quite a while. It was as if he was remembering something about her.
“Investigate her background!” Lorenzo ordered. “She reminds me of that little girl.”