PART 1: THE ESCAPE

A 24-year-old woman was forced by her stepmother into the bedroom of one of her business partners.

But instead of obeying, she ran.

That night, the rain wasn't simply falling.

It was crashing against the earth as if the sky itself was furious.

Aria Montgomery stumbled down the muddy path behind the mansion barefoot, her ankles bleeding and her silver dress torn and soaked against her trembling body.

Her dark hair hung across her face in wet strands.

A bruise darkened her cheek where her stepmother's ring had struck her.

She wasn't running toward safety.

She was running away from a nightmare.

Behind her, flashlights sliced through the storm.

Someone shouted her name.

Not with concern.

With ownership.

"ARIA! GET BACK HERE BEFORE YOU MAKE THIS WORSE!"

Victoria Montgomery never raised her voice unless she had lost control.

And tonight, Aria had ruined the most important deal of Victoria's life.

All because she refused to be treated like currency.

Just one hour earlier, Victoria had smiled politely in front of her wealthy guests, adjusted Aria's necklace, and whispered that Mr. Vance was a generous man powerful enough to save the family company.

Then she escorted Aria upstairs.

Locked her inside a bedroom.

And left her alone with a man old enough to be her grandfather.

When Aria fought back, Victoria slapped her so hard that the room spun.

When Aria cried, Victoria told her that gratitude sounded much better in silence.

And when the old investor reached for another glass of wine, Aria noticed the bathroom window.

She didn't think.

She ran.

Now the storm swallowed her screams as she reached the empty road.

Then suddenly—

Headlights appeared in the distance.

A black luxury sedan emerged from the darkness, cutting through the rain.