Chapter 1

I loved Julian Hayes for seven years. When I was kidnapped, he refused to pay the ransom, all because his secretary suggested this was a perfect chance to teach me a lesson and make me *behave*.

I endured hellish torment. Finally, I learned to stay away from Julian. But then, he cried, begging me for another chance.

The day I walked barefoot into the city center, I made headlines.

The adopted daughter of the Hayes family, kidnapped for months, returned a wreck – clothes torn, filthy, reeking, her feet bare and covered in scars, like a beaten animal scrambling back home.

I watched the media flashes ignite around me, frantic to capture every second, but my heart was long dead, a stagnant pool incapable of stirring even a ripple.

The old Scarlett was gone. The bright, innocent, headstrong, vibrant Scarlett had died. It was those kidnappers, and Julian Hayes, who had utterly destroyed her.

Soon, a group of bodyguards in black suits carved a path through the dense crowd. Their captain, Dean Miller, I recognized him. For seven years, while I clung to Julian, it was always Dean who ‘escorted’ me out of Julian’s office and private apartment.

‘Escorted’ was a polite term; it was more like being dragged, because I’d cling relentlessly, because Julian was utterly fed up.

“Miss Scarlett, Mr. Hayes is waiting in the car. Please, follow me.”

Dean’s gaze lingered on me for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected to see me in such a horrific state.

I nodded, stepping forward on my injured feet, leaving a trail of bloody prints on the pavement. The pain receptors in my nerves were long numb; this short walk was nothing compared to my escape.

Dean walked behind me, unable to help himself. “Miss Scarlett…” he began.

I didn’t answer. Was he pitying me? He should be grateful, really. After this ordeal, I’d never pester Julian again, and I’d never cause him any extra trouble at work.

Inside the car, I saw Julian sitting, eyes closed, deep in thought. His short, dark hair was impeccably styled, his sculpted features flawless.

Of course. During my absence, he must have felt an unprecedented sense of peace and relief. He looked perfectly well-rested.

Hearing the faint movement, Julian slowly opened his eyes. The moment he saw me, he barely recognized me. “Scarlett?”

I nodded meekly. Yes, I had learned my lesson. Before, I hadn't cared about being the adopted daughter of the Hayes family, acting as if I were their true child, proud and defiant. But now, after the kidnapping, I knew the truth: my life was in the Hayes’ hands. If Julian didn't pay the ransom, my life was utterly worthless to them.

He frowned, a hint of displeasure in his voice. “What did you do to yourself to end up like this?”

Like this? What ‘like this’? A lunatic? A beggar? I had been on the run for dozens of miles, constantly vigilant. Besides the kidnappers, I had to watch out for wild animals in the remote woods. When thirsty, I drank rainwater; when hungry, I scrounged through roadside trash heaps on the highway. I figured anyone would go mad under those circumstances.

I knew he was annoyed that my disheveled appearance would cause trouble for his company, or more accurately, the Hayes family’s company, if I showed up in front of the media like this.

“I’m sorry.” I’m sorry for being such a repulsive sight to Julian.

Julian paused, hearing my apology, then a cruel smile tugged at his lips. “She was right. You really did learn your lesson.”

I didn’t understand what Julian was talking about. Once the car door closed and the engine started, Julian suddenly reached a long arm towards me. I instinctively recoiled, shrinking into the corner, but then he stopped, his voice filled with disgust. “Scarlett, you reek.”

Perhaps it was the confined space of the car, but Julian finally caught the awful stench emanating from me – a mixture of blood, sweat, the grime from rolling in dirt, and the fermented smell of trash heaps.

Hearing Julian’s words, I instinctively moved away from the seat, but the car swerved slightly, and I ended up kneeling in the aisle.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I won’t soil the seats. I just… I just need to stay kneeling here.”

It hurt so much. My knees, and the blood holes left by the thin steel needles the kidnappers had used. They blamed me; they said I wasn't important to Julian, that they couldn't get the ransom, that I had wasted their time. So, they took it out on me.

I couldn’t stand up, so I simply remained kneeling in that cramped space.

Julian instantly became furious. “What are you doing? Get back in your seat!”

He commanded me, but he was too disgusted to help me up. I could only obey, using all my strength to push myself back onto the seat. The pain, combined with the low blood sugar from the past few days, brought involuntary tears streaming down my face.

Julian had always ignored my tears, finding them annoying. But this time, for the first time ever, he unexpectedly tossed the handkerchief he had just wiped his hands with onto my lap.

I clutched the clean, white cloth. Once, I would have been overjoyed, but now, that handkerchief only served to highlight my own filth and brokenness.

Dean glanced at me through the rearview mirror. I kept my head down. Perhaps he had never seen me so disgraced, so pathetic.