Chapter 1
My mom was the true heiress of the Lewis Family, but she got snatched away and dragged into the mountains.
Before all that happened, she was married and already had a two-year-old son.
Once she was in the mountains, they sold her to an old man pushing sixty, and that was how I came into the world.
When I was seven, the Lewis Family finally showed up in the mountains with the police.
My mom was sobbing so hard she could barely speak, clutching her ten-year-old son in a tight embrace.
Then she looked at me, turned to the police, and asked them something.
"Can I not bring this child home with me?"
The first time I met my uncle and my ten-year-old brother, they were visibly upset and full of contempt.
"How could the Lewis Family ever accept a child from that scumbag?" Ryan snapped.
I was terrified, trembling from head to toe.
I clung to a corner of Mom's shirt, too scared to say a word or even lift my head.
*****
Countless media cameras were all focused on me.
Besides the police and the Lewis Family, villagers from the area had gathered around too.
And then, a swarm of reporters showed up after hearing the news.
My hand, clutching Mom's shirt, wouldn't stop shaking.
Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over.
I held them back with everything I had, refusing to let them fall.
The officer stood there in silence for a long moment, and then he answered with a sigh.
"The child's father worked with the traffickers, he's already been taken in.
"Legally, you're the only one left to look after her."
Mom's eyes, filled with pleading, suddenly went dull and lifeless.
She broke down, nearly hysterical.
She cried out, "But I don't want her!
"I've been through eight years of hell, and now I have to take her back and spend the rest of my life watching her suffer?"
As the words left her mouth, her tears finally spilled over, her face contorted in anguish and hopelessness.
She raised her hand, like she was about to cover her face.
But as she did, she accidentally tugged at her shirt and realized I was still holding onto it.
Her eyes were red-rimmed as she looked down at me.
And the instant she saw the fear in my eyes, she just fell apart.
It was the first time Mom ever hurt me.
She reached out and shoved me hard, pushing me away.
Her face twisted, her voice quivering.
Mom screamed, "I don't want you.
"Don't you get it? I don't want you.
"Stop following me. If there's no one else to take care of you, then just go and die!
"Why? Why should I have to?"