Prologue

Emotional connection — that was exactly the phrase I heard from my older sister, Claudia Nova, when I asked her what love means. She is like a role model to me, my ally and my only confidant in everything, especially whenever I get scolded by Papa, because I can be so stubborn.

 

I listen to no one except my sister and Papa. All I know is that I have to be better and do better, so that Papa won’t be disappointed in me.

 

But right now, I am looking at my sister, sitting there and gazing out over the whole of Manila.

 

This spot is like a sacred haven for both of us; we sit drinking our coffee, in such peace and quiet.

 

I ignored the stinging pain in my back, my exhaustion, and even my eagerness to attend the party. In my rush, I knocked over Papa’s favorite vase — and he struck me with his swagger stick.

 

Still, I set aside the pain and chose to be happy and celebrate my sister’s engagement.

 

“You’re engaged to Arthur, and you’re also Papa’s heiress. I’m so proud of you. I’m sorry I’ve been away lately; Papa sent me to a remote island to complete my training, so I could be here tonight.”

 

I watched as Nova’s expression went completely blank, as if she was torn between two feelings.

 

“Why? Aren’t you happy?” I asked. She finally turned her gaze toward me, as if only then realizing I was speaking to her.

 

“Y-yes, I am happy that you could make it to my birthday and engagement party. I’m just nervous, that’s all. I’m afraid I might suddenly lose my temper if I see Arthur looking at another woman — even though I know I look my best,” Nova said with a laugh, but I could tell it was forced.

 

I reached out and held her hand, smiling gently. Maybe I was just overthinking; perhaps she was only feeling nervous.

 

“Don’t worry. If I so much as see him glance at another woman, I’ll deal with him myself. Come on, let’s head to the venue.”

 

I stood up first, and Nova walked straight to her car.

 

Once inside my pickup truck, I honked to get her attention and rolled down my window.

 

“See you in a minute.”

 

“See you there, Viv.”

 

Nova drove off ahead of me, and I followed toward the venue. I assumed she just had a quick errand to run, so I let her go. I ran a hand through my long, straight black hair — I’d almost forgotten my contact lenses. Papa would be furious if he saw me without them, especially tonight, since this celebration is all about Nova.

 

I opened my car door and walked toward the entrance. Down the long hallway, the sound of my heels echoed with every step, and I could see my reflection in the mirrored walls.

 

I looked pale and lifeless; my black contacts matched my long black hair perfectly. Everyone I passed turned to stare — maybe because of my backless dress.

 

Or perhaps it was because of the fresh welts crisscrossing my back, left from when Papa had beaten me just before the party began.

 

The guards swung open the double doors, and I stepped inside. Dominating the center of the hall was an enormous chandelier, lighting up the crowded room. There stood Papa, holding his swagger stick, and I couldn’t stop myself from rolling my eyes. I walked over to a passing waiter and took a glass of wine.

 

I took a small sip before approaching Papa, then bowed and kissed his hand — the same hand that wore his heavy signet ring. Everyone standing nearby turned their attention toward me.

 

A tight feeling of anxiety settled in my chest. Where was Nova?

 

“Where is your sister?” Papa asked.

 

I moved to stand behind him, as I was expected to do.

 

“We came back together, Papa. She’s probably just caught in traffic or stopped somewhere briefly.”

 

My answer was polite, and just then Arthur stepped forward to greet Papa.

 

“Let’s wait for her, my lovely daughter must be nervous,” Papa joked to Arthur, and the two men laughed. Meanwhile, I felt completely invisible and left out, standing exactly where Papa had ordered me to stay — always behind him, always following his will.

 

“Milady, may I offer you a jacket?”

 

I looked up to see Zeb standing right behind me, holding a coat in his hands. I turned my head slightly and raised an eyebrow.

 

“Do you honestly think I need a jacket?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

 

He nodded gently.

 

“Only to cover the bruises on your back — they are exposed for everyone to see.”

 

“I don’t care. I don’t need it. I look good in this dress; why would I hide it under a coat?”

 

I rolled my eyes again, and at that exact moment the main doors flew open with a loud crash. Every head in the room turned toward the entrance.

 

In an instant, I drew my gun from between my thighs. I wasn’t the only one — Zeb and Papa’s guards had their weapons raised too.

 

It was Arthur’s men. They stumbled in, bloodied and breathless, some barely able to stand.

 

“What is the meaning of this? Stop ruining my engagement, you fool!” Arthur shouted, kicking one of them roughly.

 

One man finally managed to speak.

 

“Sir… Miss Claudia has dismissed all the guards you assigned to her and fled.”

 

A collective gasp swept through the room, followed immediately by a rising murmur of whispers.

 

“That’s impossible — she said she’d be here in a minute, and we drove back together!”

 

I turned to look at Papa. I could see the rage building in his face, but it wasn’t directed at Nova — it was directed at me.

 

“You are the one ruining this celebration! Are you working against us?”

 

I raised my gun toward the man who spoke, but instead of answering, he held out a sealed envelope toward me.

 

I opened it, and my heart seemed to stop beating.

 

It was written in Nova’s handwriting.

 

Papa snatched the letter from my hand and read it himself. His face darkened even further, and he turned sharply away from Arthur.

 

“Vivianne Cora. To the conference room — now.”

 

His voice was cold and sharp, and he turned and walked away without waiting.

 

My chest felt hollow, as if I could no longer feel my own heartbeat. I couldn’t understand it; it didn’t feel like something Nova would do. How could she leave me like this?

 

“Papa, wait!”

 

“You were with Nova just moments ago! How could she have escaped?” Papa roared the second we entered the conference room. He raised his swagger stick and struck out at my arm — I managed to block the blow, but the force was so strong it nearly knocked me off my feet.

 

“Papa, I swear I don’t know! We only spoke for a moment —”

 

“Stai zitto, ingrata! — Be quiet, you ungrateful child!”

 

He struck me again, this time hard across my stomach, and I lost my balance completely.

 

“If I find out you had any part in this, or helped your sister leave, I will never forgive you. Now stand up!”

 

He pulled a long whip from his belt.

 

I gritted my teeth and stared at the door as it clicked shut. The first lash came down hard across my back.

 

So this is what you chose, Nova? I thought you would never leave me alone in this hell we call home. Yet you ran away without even a word, knowing exactly what I would face the moment you were no longer under Papa’s control.

 

You truly are nothing but a liar and a selfish bitch.