I sat in the cold interrogation room, handcuffs biting into my wrists, heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst. Twenty-one years old and I had just thrown my entire future away. One stupid mistake — hacking into a major corporation’s system for money I desperately needed — and now I was facing serious prison time.The door opened. My stepdad, Alexander Voss, walked in wearing a sharp black suit, looking every bit the powerful defense attorney he was. At 44, he was tall, broad-shouldered, and intimidatingly handsome. Mom had divorced him years ago, but he had always stayed in my life — strict, protective, and distant.Until now.“Alexander…” I whispered, voice shaking. “Please tell me you can fix this.”He sat across from me, eyes dark and unreadable. “The evidence is overwhelming, Lila. They have you dead to rights. You’re looking at 8 to 12 years.”Tears filled my eyes. “I can’t go to prison. I’ll do anything. Please.”He leaned forward, voice dropping low. “Anything?”The w
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