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"Tomorrow the maids all have a day off to visit their families. You can go too, Mirabel. I know you really miss your father."
"Father?" Mirabel scoffed bitterly. "He probably wishes I was dead by now."
Lucian frowned. "What do you mean?"
"He doesn't like me."
"That's not true. Just because he sold you doesn't mean he didn't love you. Maybe… maybe he was just trying to pay off his debts."
"If I was dead or alive, it wouldn't make a difference to him," Mirabel sighed. Her eyes darkened, her voice softer. "I've never told anyone about my family before… but maybe it's time you know."
Lucian stayed quiet, letting her speak.
"My father never loved me. Two weeks after I was born, he told my mother there was already a new baby on the way and demanded we leave his house. My mum begged and begged until he finally allowed us to stay—down in the basement. My mother loved him so much, she blinded herself to the truth: he didn't love her. He only wanted my grandfather's collaboration with his company. My grandfather's name is Roshan King."
Lucian stiffened at the name. Roshan King—the man everyone respected, even feared. Lucian himself had once tried to collaborate with him, but it had proven impossible.
"My grandfather owns three companies," Mirabel continued. "One builds cars. Another is an idol company—turning people into stars, giving them everything: music, videos, tours, houses, clothes. The stars only keep thirty percent of the profit, while he takes seventy. And then there's his petroleum empire. He's not just a millionaire. Not just a billionaire. He's a trillionaire. Ruthless, powerful—but he loves his grandchildren deeply."
Lucian's chest tightened as he listened.
"My mum could have walked away, started a new life… but she was too blinded by love. Instead, she stayed. And when my father brought his new wife home, they treated us like slaves. Do you know what it feels like to scrub floors until your hands bleed? To clean every corner of a house before you're even tall enough to reach the shelves?" She gave a broken smile, and Lucian felt like someone had driven a blade straight through his chest.
"I never had a princess life. No fancy clothes, no celebrations. On my eighth birthday, my mum gave me a small cupcake—the only one she could afford. Before I could even taste it, my stepsister and her friends came, threw it to the ground, pushed me, bit me, and forced me to eat it off the floor. They told me I was nothing but a slave… and should act like one."
Her hands trembled as she pulled at her shirt, revealing a scar across her stomach. "On my ninth birthday, my stepsister stabbed me. And my father took her side. He beat me half to death because she lied and said I tried to stab her. My mum tried to protect me, but he beat her too. I wasn't even allowed to go to the hospital. My brother had to steal a first aid kit and patch me up. It took four months before I healed."
Lucian's fists clenched at his sides.
"When I was ten, my brother couldn't take it anymore. He wanted us to leave with him, but my mother refused. I refused too—I couldn't leave her alone with that man. She made him promise not to tell our grandfather anything. And he kept that promise."
Her eyes grew glassy, voice breaking.
"Five years later, my mother thought if she tried harder, maybe my father would love her. But he never did. My stepmother accused her of stealing. She was beaten so badly… her health never recovered. And then she died. My father pretended he had nothing to do with it. Before her last breath, she made me promise not to tell Grandfather. After her death, my brother returned. He took me to Los Angeles, to live with our grandfather. For the first time, I was happy. No one dared disturb us. My brother cut all ties with Father and worked with Grandfather. Soon, he'll be crowned CEO of all three companies."
Her shoulders slumped.
"I thought that was my happy ending. But not all stories end happily. Five years later, my father called. He said he was sick, dying, and wanted to make amends. My brother told me not to go. But I… I remembered Mum's last wish—she wanted him to admit he loved her. So, I agreed. My brother said we'd stay no longer than two months. He told me to go first, that he'd follow. And if Father tried anything, I should get on a plane and leave immediately."
Her lips quivered, her voice bitter.
"I came here in a day. And he… he sold his own daughter as a slave."
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