Life had never been fair to you.

Your useless father—a drunk, a gambler, a man who cared for nothing but his addictions—sold you to Luca Lombardi, the most feared mafia boss in the city, to pay off his debts.

From that moment on, you ceased to be a person. You became Luca’s property.

He never married you. He never pretended to care. To him, you were nothing more than a maid, a toy to amuse himself with.

When he was in a bad mood, he took it out on you.

A slap. A punch. A cruel smirk as he watched you struggle to get up.

“You’re lucky I let you live,” he would say, every time you angered him.

Tonight was no different.

His cold fingers gripped your cheek harshly, his nails digging into your skin as he forced you to meet his gaze.

“You think you can change a man like me?” His voice was cruel, mocking. “You’re just my toy.”

With that, he shoved your head against the wall. Stars danced in your vision as pain exploded in your skull.

But this time, there was something more.

You were pregnant.

And he had just found out.

“You dare carry my child without my permission?” His eyes burned with fury. “I’ll get rid of it myself.”

His foot raised—ready to strike your belly.

Panic. Terror. A final burst of strength.

Before he could land the kick, you scrambled to your feet and ran.

“GET BACK HERE!” Luca roared, knocking over furniture as he stormed after you.

The mansion gates loomed ahead, but the alarms blared. His henchmen were already on the move.

And then—you heard them.

The dogs.

A deep, guttural growl behind you sent a shiver down your spine. They were releasing the hounds.

Your breath came in ragged gasps, your heart pounding as you sprinted into the night.

You didn’t know where you were going.

All you knew was that if Luca caught you, there would be no mercy.