Chapter 1

The Monster He Called Brother

My family handed me over to Caleb.

He was the city's rising magnate, ruthless and unforgiving, feared by all.

Everyone knew he was back for revenge, for his deceased brother, Elias.

And my family was the first name on his hit list.

Desperate to appease his fury, my family offered me up like a sacrifice – their least favored daughter, delivered like a package.

The day they sent me away, my sister, Victoria, gripped my hand, tears streaming down her face, claiming I was taking the fall for her.

My father, meanwhile, sighed and murmured about our family's debt to him.

I said nothing, only smoothed Victoria's wind-tousled hair.

They all thought I was terrified, or consumed by resentment.

The truth? I didn't care.

Because they didn't know that Elias, the brother Caleb respected most, was the one I killed.

The car stopped in front of a brightly lit mansion nestled halfway up the mountain.

The driver opened the door for me, gesturing with a hand, his eyes filled with pity.

I stepped out, carrying an almost empty suitcase.

The mansion's front doors stood open. A man was framed in the doorway.

He was tall, dressed in a black silk robe, his figure cloaked in shadow, only the crimson glow of a cigarette flickering between his fingers.

It was Caleb.

He was back.

I walked, step by step, up the path and stopped before him.

He didn't look at me, his gaze sweeping over my head, fixed on the city lights twinkling below.

"The [Lena's Last Name] family sent *this* to me?" His voice was colder than any winter night in the city.

I didn't answer.

He finally lowered his eyes. There was no warmth in them, only scrutiny and disgust.

"What's your name?"

"Lena."

"Lena." He chewed on the name, a mocking smile twisting his lips. "What did your family promise you for delivering you to me?"

"My mother's safety and security."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

He seemed skeptical but didn't press further. He turned and walked into the mansion, and I followed him.

The living room was shockingly large. A massive black and white photograph hung on the central wall.

The man in the photo was charismatic and sophisticated, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. It was Elias, the man I’d personally watched walk into death's embrace.

Caleb stopped before the photo, his voice echoing eerily.

"Kneel."

I obeyed, dropping to my knees on the cold marble floor.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"Yes."

"Tell me."

"To atone for my family's sins."

"Atonement?" Caleb laughed, a harsh, brutal sound. "Your family killed my brother, and now they send a daughter to atone? You must be dreaming."

He walked over to me, crouched down, and gripped my jaw, forcing me to look up at him.

"Where's your sister, Victoria? As my brother's fiancée, why isn't she here?"

"Victoria isn't well."

"Not well?" Caleb's grip tightened, a sharp pain shooting through my jawbone. "Or is she just scared? Pushing you out, her worthless burden, to be a scapegoat? She really knows how to play her cards right."

My phone chose that inopportune moment to ring.

Caleb released me, signaling me to answer.

It was Victoria.

I put it on speaker.

"Lena, are you at the [Caleb's Last Name] residence? Caleb... he didn't give you any trouble, did he?" Victoria's voice was tearful, sounding utterly helpless.

Caleb stood nearby, a smirk playing on his face, enjoying the show.

"Yes, Victoria, I'm here."

"I'm so sorry, Lena, truly sorry... I'm useless, I couldn't protect you..." She sobbed on the other end. "You have to take care of yourself, and whatever you do, don't make Mr. [Caleb's Last Name] angry."

She kept repeating "I'm sorry," but each word felt like a reminder.

"Victoria, don't blame yourself." I spoke, my voice calm. "Didn't you say it yourself? I'm just dead weight in our family anyway. If my death can bring some peace, it's a good trade."

The sobbing on the other end abruptly stopped.

Caleb's smile deepened.

"Lena! How could you say that!" Victoria's voice turned sharp. "That's not what I meant! I was just... I was just so worried about you!"

"I know," I said. "Victoria, you should rest. Our family still needs you."

After I hung up, the living room fell silent.

Caleb looked me over again, his gaze now tinged with a hint of curiosity.

"From today on, you'll live there." He pointed towards a spot on the second floor. "My brother's room. You are not to leave it, not even a single step."

It was both a punishment and a humiliation.