The sharp crack of a leather whip echoed through the damp, dimly lit basement, tearing through the stagnant air. At that precise moment, Aaron Holmes felt a sudden, desperate weight on his arm. His young daughter was clinging to him with every ounce of her remaining strength. Her tiny, trembling fingers clamped down so hard that her frail nails pierced through his clothes, digging deep into his flesh. A violent shudder ripped through his frame. His eyes, usually calm, instantly flooded with a terrifying, blood-red fury. The realization hit him like a physical blow. His own flesh and blood, his precious daughter, had been enduring this unimaginable hell, and he had been entirely oblivious.A suffocating wave of heartbreak and self-blame crashed over him. The little girl in his arms was consumed by a bone-chilling terror, her emaciated body quivering uncontrollably against his chest. Aaron Holmes wrapped his strong arms around her fragile form, pulling her into a fiercely protective emb

Every single word from Aaron felt like a physical blow, piercing straight through Serena’s defenses and plunging deep into her heart. A towering tsunami of grief and guilt violently overturned everything inside her chest. She had absolutely no idea that her precious daughter had been forced to endure such unimaginable torment and degradation while she was entirely absent."No, I need to see her." Serena's voice broke into a desperate, choked sob, her eyes completely blurred by a thick veil of tears. She instinctively tried to push past him and rush toward the glowing doors of the operating room.Aaron immediately shifted his imposing figure, turning his broad shoulders into an immovable wall that completely blocked her path. He stared down at her with a terrifyingly frigid glare. "Leave. Since you clearly never wanted to be a mother to this child, I will raise her myself. From this day forward, you are absolutely forbidden from ever seeing her again."Serena was struck completely dumb

A gentle breeze drifted across Southridge Riverside Park as Serena Vale arrived at the appointed hour. The river lapped softly against the stone embankment, and there at the water's edge stood a figure with his back turned to her.Serena studied the breadth of his shoulders, the quiet authority in his posture. He stood like a fortress wall, immovable and certain. This was not the frail, bookish young man she remembered from years ago. That person had vanished entirely."You came," Aaron said, turning to face her. His expression was cool, his tone clipped.Years ago, when they used to meet like this, his eyes would have softened at the sight of her. Now there was nothing but iron composure."Mm." The sound escaped her barely above a whisper. "It's been so long. You've changed so much."Aaron showed no reaction. "I asked you here this late because there's something important. It's about Liv.""What happened to her?" Serena stepped forward, alarm threading

Aaron frowned at the knock. The sound was heavy, deliberate. Could it be Ghost Healer?He rose and pulled the door open, only to find himself staring down half a dozen weapon barrels. Armed marshals filled the hallway, their boots planted wide, faces hidden behind tactical visors. The corridor reeked of boot polish and cold authority.A broad-shouldered man stepped through the line, his black boots thudding against the worn carpet. He stood a full head taller than the others, and his jaw was set like he'd already decided the outcome of this encounter."You Aaron Holmes?""That's right. What's this about?"The Deputy Commissioner didn't bother answering. He flipped open a badge wallet, letting the silver insignia catch the fluorescent light for one second before snapping it shut. "Take him."On that command, the marshals surged forward, wrenched Aaron's arms behind his back, and cinched zip-ties tight around his wrists. They hauled him outside and shoved

Late at night, Aaron stood outside the Southridge Hotel, staring at the phone screen. The number he'd been calling remained unanswered, the monotonous dial tone cutting off again and again. His brow furrowed deeper with each failed attempt."I've been waiting long enough," he muttered, his voice low and cold. "She's not coming. Same as before. Nothing's changed."He slid the phone into his pocket, jaw tightening. "If you don't care enough to save your own daughter, I won't beg."Without another glance at the hotel entrance, Aaron turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the quiet of the empty street.One minute later, Serena finally broke free from the swarm of fans that had mobbed her outside. She rushed toward the hotel lobby, slightly breathless, scanning the entrance for any sign of him."Excuse me," she said to the front desk clerk, leaning forward. "Which room is Aaron Holmes staying in?"The clerk blinked. "Aaron Holmes? Oh, he checked o