Chapter 1 PROLOGUE

Evelyn's Pov

"Do you have to go now? We haven't eaten your cake yet," Dalia complained, pouting as I put on my sneakers. I felt a pang of guilt for leaving her, but I remembered my birthday outing with my dad and got excited.

"Dad is taking me out for my birthday," I said with excitement.

Dalia's face fell, and she held my hand tightly. "Can I come with you?" she asked, looking up at me with her big, cute puppy eyes which I couldn't resist, so I nodded, and we both ran outside to meet my dad.

I quickly grabbed my small backpack, stuffing it with some snacks and my favorite book, just in case. You never know when you might need something on a long trip.

As we reached the car, I told my dad, "Dad, Dalia is coming with us!" But my dad's expression turned stern, and he said, "I'm sorry, Evelyn, Dalia can't come with us, but she can come to your party this evening."

I felt a surge of excitement at the mention of a party. Maybe, just maybe, my family was finally going to give me the love and attention I deserved. I hadn't felt that in a long time.

Dalia's face fell, but she waved goodbye as my dad started driving. "Dalia, I will see you tonight, don't forget to bring my cake along," I shouted before she left my view.

I couldn't keep my excitement. "Dad, where are we going?" I dared to ask.

"You will find out soon," he replied, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Is there really a party for me?" I asked.

"Yes," that was all he said. Maybe it was a surprise, and he didn't want to ruin it. I love surprises. I haven't gotten any surprises, but I would love to have one from my family.

As we drove further away from the city, I started to feel a bit uneasy. But I trusted my dad, so I kept quiet. As I watched the unfamiliar route, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

After a while, my dad said, "Evelyn, there is a dress in the bag behind you. Put it on." I squealed with delight, "Yay! New clothes!" I quickly changed into the clothes. It was my favorite colors, yellow and white.

"Dad, are we almost there?" I was tired of the long silence and drive.

"Very soon, Evelyn. It is almost over," he turned to me. For a minute I saw hatred and despair in his eyes, but he quickly smiled and continued driving.

Why would he hate me? I am his child, his blood, he can't hate me. Blood don't hate. He loves me; if not, he wouldn't be taking me out on a birthday outing.

He might not have been the best dad to me but he has always provided for me. I must be seeing things due to my excitement.

As we continued driving, I started to feel hungry and tired. "Dad, I am hungry," I complained, but he didn't respond.

He just kept checking his phone. I noticed a deep line of worry on his forehead, something I hadn't seen before.

The car slowed down, and I thought we had arrived, but then I saw three black cars parked in the middle of the road.

My heart started racing as I saw scary men in black standing in front of our car. The atmosphere felt thick like something bad was about to happen.

"Dad, what is happening?" I asked, scared of the men.

"Don't move until I tell you to," he said, his expression stern, before leaving the car.

I watched as my dad stood in front of an old man and they started talking. He gave my dad a briefcase and my dad turned to the car, signaling for me to come down.

I was too scared to move. A man with a cruel grin came forward and dragged me out of the car. "Daddy, Daddy," I screamed, kicking and struggling with tears streaming down my face.

I was able to break free and I ran to hide behind my dad. "Dad, please don't let them take me."

The old man loomed over me, his eyes cold and heartless. "Get up, kid," he growled.

My dad didn't even flinch. He just took the briefcase and turned away, leaving me in the hands of these terrifying men.

A part of me hoped he was just pretending and would come back to save me, but deep down, I knew the truth.

I turned and ran after him but he had entered the car. "Daddy, please don't leave me; I won't disturb you and Mum again, please, Dad," I begged, but he didn't listen to me. He drove off. The tears streaming down my eyes increased.

I felt a hand on my arm and I was dragged. The man who dragged me out of the car threw me to the ground, and I scraped my knee on the rough asphalt. I cried out in pain and fear.

What did they want with me? Why was my dad doing this?

"You, my little spitfire, have a flame I need and don't like personally, but you will be very useful. You will be very taken care of and tamed," the old man said. "Take her away." He ordered the men.

A man came forward and dragged me to one of the tinted cars. After a while, I was tied, gagged, and blindfolded before being thrown into a van.

I was physically drained. My tears had long dried and I couldn't cry again. Nothing mattered to me any more than my survival. As I lay in the back of the van, bruised and exhausted, my mind raced with thoughts of escape.

I wouldn't let them take me. I had to find a way out, no matter what. A part of me hoped that my dad would come back for me and another part of me knew I wasn't going to be saved.

My body was without a soul, my heart was void and I was hollow. My dad exchanged me for money with these men.

He sold me! I am just a kid, an innocent kid. I felt pain as I was rolling and hitting my back and head on what felt like a pole and the corner of the van.

I said blood doesn't hate, but it is a lie. Hate runs deeper when it is blood.

I hate my dad, my mum, and my siblings, I hate them all. I will make them pay- my family and the old man, that is my promise