Chapter 1

Rage shot straight to my head. My vision went red as I shouted, "That's complete nonsense! Let my daughter go right now, or I'm calling the cops!"

I pushed forward and tried to get to my daughter, Heidi Foster.

The two maids blocked me hard, sneering like I was a joke.

"Are you out of your mind?" one said. "You broke into our house, and now you want to call the police? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Our boss's daughter is celebrating her birthday today. You think you can cause trouble at the Dixons' and walk out fine? Our boss won't let that slide!"

I stared at them, then at the girl still sitting by the cake, eyes closed while making her wish.

"Who exactly is your boss? And who is she?" I said coldly. "Are you blind? Heidi is the boss’s daughter! Where did this knockoff come from? Since when does she get to take my daughter's things?"

The girl opened her eyes, stood up, and looked down at me like I was dirt. She grabbed a glass from the table and smashed it against my head, then spat at me.

"Unbelievable," she snapped. "My mom is Stella, the CEO of Dixon Corporation, and my dad's one of the top executives. I'm their precious daughter. You call me a fake again, and I'll have my mom shut you up for good!"

The room tilted. My legs almost gave out.

When I first met Stella Dixon, she was barely getting by, working nonstop just to pay off her debts. I helped her out of kindness. That was how our love story started.

I spent seven long years lifting her from drowning in debt to running one of the most powerful companies in the city.

Our relationship had been strong. Everyone said we were the perfect couple. Later, we had Heidi, our little girl.

A year ago, when I left for a classified project, Stella had her arms around my neck, crying, begging me to come back soon.

I missed them so much that I forced a two-year project into one.

I came back today to surprise them.

Instead, I found my daughter chained like a dog.

And somehow, Stella had a different husband.

My teeth clenched so hard that it hurt. I grabbed the maid in front of me and threw her to the ground.

Then I lunged at the girl, yanked the crown off her head, and tore the dress right off her.

"Since when did my daughter's things belong to you?" I said, voice low and shaking. "I didn't realize the Dixons had sunk so low that some side piece's kid gets to run her mouth here. Guess I've been too nice to all of you."

I grabbed a chair and smashed the cake that should've been my daughter's into a mess across the floor.

Only then did I turn back to Heidi.

I walked over slowly and crouched beside her, hands shaking as I reached for the chain around her neck.

"Heidi, don't be scared. I'm here."

The chain was thick and heavy, digging into her small neck until it was red and raw.

Her face, once soft and bright, was now thin and darkened, covered in cuts. Some had already crusted over.

At my voice, her eyes filled, and tears started falling, one after another. She screamed in panic, making broken, barking sounds, her body pressed low to the ground like a stray dog.

My breath hitched. It felt like something inside me had been ripped apart.

I never imagined my confident, cheerful little girl would end up like this.

My eyes burned as I forced the words out.

"Heidi, sweetheart, don't be afraid. It's me. I'm your dad. Don't you remember? I took you to the amusement park. We flew kites together."

Afraid of setting her off again, I softened my voice, speaking gently as I coaxed her along.

"Remember what I promised you? When I got back, we'd go to the aquarium and see the big fish together. I'm back now. I'll take you with me, okay?"

She hesitated, her voice shaky and uneven.

"D…Daddy? Is that really you? But I can't go. Robert said I'm a dog. Dogs are meant to be ridden. If I don't listen, he'll beat me to death…"

My hands trembled as I lifted the torn fabric of her clothes.

Her body was covered in bruises and burn marks. Even lower down, there were signs she had been whipped.

For a second, I almost lost it. I wanted to grab a knife and kill every single person who did this to her.

But I forced it down.

I had to get her out first. I couldn't let her take another second of this.

It took everything I had to unfasten the chain from her neck.

Just as I was about to lift her, a heavy metal rod slammed into my hand.

I heard the crack before I felt the pain.

"You think you can cause trouble in Ms. Dixon's house like this?" a voice barked. "What, you think we're not here?"

The maid I had thrown earlier had brought in security.

The girl I had stripped of the crown and dress stood nearby, wiping her tears, her face twisted with anger.

"Break his legs!" she screamed. "And beat that stupid dog, too! My dad said I’m a rich little princess now. You ruined my favorite dress. You're gonna pay for it, you loser!"

The rod swung toward me again.

I quickly pulled out the marriage certificate I always kept with me and snapped it open in front of them.

"Touch me and see what happens," I said, voice steady despite the pain. "I'm Stella's legal husband, and Heidi is our daughter."