Chapter 8

I drained every last cent of our family's savings and then risked my life by selling my blood three separate times on the black market just to fund Zachary's ticket to the city.

But when I presented the official paperwork to Zachary, all I got was a flat, emotionless word of gratitude that was delivered without a hint of a smile.

In time, he climbed the ranks with ease and became the factory manager. At the same time, I managed to join the factory on my own merit and earned an entry-level position.

Yet, despite all this, Zachary grew increasingly distant and cold toward me.

I felt like there was a monumental wall separating us, a barrier he had meticulously constructed himself. I spent years deluding myself that sheer hard work would let me breach that defense, only to finally realize that he had always intended to keep me locked out.

I was nothing more than a stepping stone to him—a necessary object to boost him out of his own deep mire. I was disposable, to be carelessly cast aw