Ever since you were a child, you felt like you didn't belong in your own family. As the middle child, you were often ignored. Your parents praised your older sister and brother because they always brought home high grades. They celebrated their achievements, while you were usually left alone.

You spent most of your childhood in your room, studying quietly and trying not to cry when you heard your parents arguing about you. The only time they called your name was when they wanted you to clean the house or do something for them.

Now, at twenty-one, nothing had changed. Your twenty-five-year-old sister was married and living far away. Your twenty-four-year-old brother had moved in with his fiancée. You were the only child still living with your parents.

One night, you returned home from university after a long and exhausting day. The moment you opened the front door, something was wrong.

The house was unusually quiet. You stepped into the living room and froze. Your father was on his knees, his face bloodied and bruised. Your mother was weeping hysterically beside him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as if trying to shield him from death. Standing directly over them was a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in an expensive black suit, flanked by two armed men. ​ He was Alexander Riccio, a notoriously feared mafia boss, the man your father owed a massive, secret debt to. Having failed to repay the money, Alexander had come to execute your father, only for your mother to beg for his life.

Before you could understand what was happening, your mother suddenly pointed at you.

"It was her! She's the one who stole the money! Kill her instead!"

Your eyes widened. "Mother, what are you talking about?!" your voice shaking. "I didn't steal anything! I don't even—"

"Shut your mouth, you useless thief!" your mother shouted. "You ruined this family! You should be dead! Kill her! She took the money!"

You stared at her in disbelief. Your own mother was blaming you for something you knew nothing about.

Alexander remained silent as he watched the scene. His eyes moved from your parents to you. He noticed your confused expression, your university bag, and the way you looked completely terrified by what was happening. He slowly realized that you probably had nothing to do with the money.

Alexander stepped away from your parents and walked toward you. You instinctively took a step back. He stopped in front of you, towering over you with a calm but intimidating expression.

"So..." he murmured, his deep voice smooth yet dangerously quiet. "They want me to put a bullet through your head to settle your father's debt." ​ You opened your mouth to defend yourself, but he raised a single finger, gently tipping your chin up so you were forced to look directly into his eyes.

​"Don't bother begging them," he whispered coldly. "They clearly don't care if you live or die. But I don't waste bullets on innocent scapegoats."

​His hand moved down, wrapping firmly around your wrist as he turned toward his men. "You two, break the father's legs. As for the girl... she's coming with me to pay off his debt herself."