Chapter 1

Lillian’s POV:

The house was silent and empty like a hollow shell. The silence in the house was louder than the storms that had battered it for years. I stood in the living room as it brought back so many happy memories of my family, except my father.

It's been 6 months since my father’s death – a heart attack, the doctor said, but I knew better. He was murdered and left me to pay his multiple debts and cover my mother’s medical bills.

The weight of my family’s debt pressed down on my shoulders like a heavy burden.

At twenty-two, I was already drowning in sorrow. My little brother, Jake, just moved in with my aunt in the neighbouring town. I could still remember the tears on his face the day he left.

My mother Clara lay in the hospital bed, depending on life support because her heart had completely failed and she needed a heart transplant. The hospital bills are too much for me to handle, so I have to sell the house. My childhood home for a fraction of what it's worth to a realtor.

The money is meant to clear some part of my mother’s pending bills and move in with my best friend, Jessie, in the meantime until things get better.

Exhaling deeply, I zipped my jacket, the sale papers stuffed in my backpack, and I locked the front door for the last time.

I could feel the wind brushing my skin as I walked to the hospital. A thirty-minute walk I had made countless times.

When I arrived at the hospital, I was filled with the antiseptic smell. I need to see my mother and make some deposits on her pending bills.

I walked through the hall to my mother’s room, feeling a little relieved that I had little money for the bills to keep her going.

When I pushed open the door, the bed was empty. The sheets were neatly arranged. The room was empty, and my breath ceased, my backpack dropping to the floor.

“Nurse!” I shouted, grabbing a passing aide.

“Where is my mother? Clara Grey, Room 304!”

The attendant frowned, checking her clipboard. Clara Grey? She was discharged this morning.”

“Discharged?” My voice cracked. “She’s on oxygen! She can’t breathe on her own!”

“Where is my mother, please?” I pleaded, tears rolling down my cheeks.

The aide’s eyes darted. “The doctor signed her out. You’ll have to speak to administration.”

My heart started to pound fast. Discharged to where? My mother couldn't walk and couldn't survive without care.

I quickly stormed to the administration desk, demanding answers, but the clerk gave an undefined response: “There was a private transfer with your signature.”

My heart skipped. “Private discharge with my signature?” I whispered. Her response made me panic more. I didn't sign for my mother to be discharged.

Immediately, my phone buzzed. An unknown number. I quickly answered, my voice shaking. “Hello?”

“Lilian Grey,” a man called on the phone, smooth and cold. “Your mother is with me. If you want to see her, you must obey my instructions. For now. Walk to the parking lot alone. You’ve got two minutes.”

The line went dead. My breath ceased. The parking lot was a lonely distance, a place for drunks and dealers. Who is this man that could have taken my mother?

I quickly grabbed my backpack and ran outside to the parking lot. I saw a black SUV with tinted windows at the end of the road. Two men dressed in suit and their faces were hard.

One of them gestured. “Get into the car,” he ordered.

“Where’s my mother?” I demanded, my voice cracking.

The man smirked. “If you want your mother to be alive and safe, you better do what I say. Now move!”

My heart pounded, but I had no choice. I stepped into the SUV and slammed the door shut.

The drive was silent. The men's faces were intimidating and scary.

After a few minutes, we arrived at a huge mansion, and the iron gate was opened. The car drove in, and I was in awe. It was a beautiful multi-million-dollar mansion, which made me wonder whose house this was and why I was there.

Immediately, I was ushered into the house, and it was the most beautiful building I have ever seen. The furniture and decorations were luxurious.

Immediately, I developed goosebumps.

Where am I? Who is the owner of this place?

The men stopped at a door in the hallway and opened a door. Fear gripped me, but I gathered the courage to walk in when I saw my mother lying on a bed with an oxygen mask strapped to her face.

My eyes widened with fear. “Mum”, I whispered, taking a few steps into the room, but a hand gripped me tightly.

“Not so fast,” a new voice spoke. A tall, muscular man with grey eyes stepped from the shadows. He walked towards my mother. I swallowed hard. I remember this man.

This is Alexander Nick, the most powerful and fearful billionaire in the whole of New York City.

“I own your mother, your little brother Jake and Jessie now,” Alex smirked and flickered his lighter. The flame from his lighter lit his cigarette.

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Immediately, I heard Jake’s voice from the hallway.

“Leave me alone!” Jake cried out.

“Leave him alone; he's just a boy,” Jessie spoke with a shaky voice.

My heart pounded, and I quickly rushed to the door, but the bodyguard quickly gripped me.

“You will move when I tell you to. You little brat.” Alex spat with disdain on his face.

“What do you want from us? Do you plan to kill us just like you killed my father?” I shouted, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Alex chuckled, “I see you've got guts. Let’s see how you handle this.” He smiled, and his face turned serious in seconds.

“Your late father, Mr Grey, owes me half a million, and you have to pay me right now if you want your loved ones to be released,” Alex growled.

My eyes widened in fear. “What?” I asked. I know my father owes him a lot, but I don't have much money to pay back right now.

“Please, give me some time. I promise I will pay you back. I've got two jobs. I’ve got thirty thousand dollars with me. Take it, please. Just them go,” I cried out.

Alex chuckled lightly and walked to the bed.

Immediately, he removed the oxygen mask on my mother's nose. “Say goodbye to your mother.”