Chapter one

LIANA DAKOTA

1,827 days. That’s how long I’ve been trapped in this basement. 1,827 days since my own father took everything from me. My child, my freedom, my sanity.

He took my baby girl before I could even see her face. I've tried to escape to catch a glimpse of her, but he's kept me chained to the bed. I attempted to pick the lock with hairpins and forks, but it was no use. I even tried to force my way out, but ended up with scars. If it wasn't for my daughter, and the thought of her being raised by that monster, I'd probably be dead by now. The only thing that keeps me going is the memory of her cries after I conceived her. Whenever I feel like giving up, I think of those cries. I wish I had held her close when I had the chance.

The door creaked open, and I sat up, alert. I expected Samantha, the housekeeper, but the figure at the door was bigger. The dim light hid their face, but I knew exactly who it was. My fingers instinctively tightened around the toothbrush I'd sharpened, its plastic edge now a jagged point, and I held it tightly in my hand.

"You look like you've finally learned the lesson." My father, Raymond, said.

I didn't acknowledge what he said and just looked away.

I used to cower in fear whenever he was around, but that was three years ago. Now, fear's been replaced with a burning hatred. I hate him so much it consumed me, and I could easily imagine him as my first kill.

He walked in slowly. I didn't move. Not yet. I stared at the crack in the cement wall, counting my heartbeats.

“One day you’ll thank me for what I’ve done,” he said, voice dry like dust.

“You killed my life,” Mentally and emotionally, but I won't let him kill me physically. “There’s nothing to thank you for.”

He stopped in front of me. I could smell the stench of old whiskey on him.

“You’re just like your mother,” he muttered. “Weak and stupid. That’s why she’s dead."

That was when I snapped.

I launched forward, jamming the toothbrush into his thigh.

"Where is my daughter?" I bit out, still holding onto the brush.

"You bitch!" He hit him across my face so fast I didn’t even see it coming. My head snapped to the side, and I landed hard on the bed. The pain stung, but I didn't cry.

He grabbed my hair and pulled me up by it, making me face him.

“You try something like that again,” he said through his teeth, “and I’ll get rid of you. Just like that. And I’ll do the same to your daughter.”

My whole body went cold. My hands started shaking.

“Don’t you dare lay a finger on her!” I yelled.

“Then behave.”

He released me and reached down, pulling the toothbrush out of his leg. Blood dripped from it.

“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice low.

“What I want is simple, you must marry Logan Grey,” he said. Business purposes. Just do what you're told. I’ll handle the rest.”

I blinked. No. That sounded worse than being locked in here. He tossed something at me. A phone.

I looked at the screen. A girl. Blonde curls. Eyes big and whiskey-colored. They were his eyes.

Her smile was wide and full of tiny teeth, one missing right in the front. She was beautiful. More than I ever imagined. Then I saw it. On her right arm, just under the sleeve of her dress, was a small birthmark. A star. Faint but clear. Just like her father’s. Evidence that she was mine.

My eyes filled with tears.

"My baby…" I whispered to the screen, pressing the phone to my chest.

“If you don't marry Logan Grey,” Raymond said, "she'll disappear."

I dropped to my knees, tears streaming down my face.  “Please… don’t hurt her.”

“Then say yes.”

“I’ll do it,” I whispered.

"Good choice." He forcefully took the phone from me. "We will be seeing his family in two days."

He headed for the door to leave but stopped when he got closer.

"One advice, Liana, emotions don't win wars." He said and left.

I knew he wouldn’t just hand my daughter over after I do what he wants. I've known him too long to believe that. He just wanted to use me. He had probably already decided what to do with us in the end.

I will do what he wants for now so I can leave this basement.

I wasn’t doing it for him.

I was doing it for her.

For that little girl with the star-shaped proof on her arm that she belonged to me.

No matter what it takes, I will get her back. And once I do, we will disappear to where no one knows us.

But for now...I will marry Logan Grey. Whoever that is.