Chapter 1: The Truth Behind the Bruises

Emily lowered her eyes, instinctively hiding the bruises on her wrists beneath the sleeves of her faded uniform.

"Dad... you shouldn't have come here," she whispered.

Her father, Richard Bennett, stared at her in disbelief.

For three years he had believed his only daughter was studying abroad in Europe. Every birthday card he sent had been answered. Every phone call had been canceled with believable excuses. Every tuition payment had disappeared into an account managed by his new wife, Victoria.

Now he was standing in the foyer of Victoria's mansion, staring at his daughter dressed as a maid.

"What happened to you?" Richard asked again, his voice trembling.

Before Emily could answer, Victoria calmly swirled the wine in her glass.

"Oh, don't be dramatic," she said. "She works here. She has food, a bed, and a paycheck. Isn't that enough?"

Richard slowly turned toward his wife.

"You told me Emily was in London."

Victoria smiled.

"I lied."

Silence filled the mansion.

Emily finally spoke.

"She intercepted every letter you sent me. She told me you remarried because you didn't want a daughter anymore. She said you refused to pay for my college and that if I wanted a roof over my head, I'd have to earn it."

Richard's face went pale.

"I never said that."

Victoria shrugged.

"It made life easier."

Richard felt years of guilt crash onto his shoulders all at once.

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