chapter 1

Miley’s POV;

My entire body ached, and my mind was foggy. I had no idea what happened last night, attempting to remember only intensified the throbbing in my head.

Looking around, the room was foreign to me. Did Julian bring me here? Flashes of betrayal from the man who until yesterday, was my boyfriend assaulted me. But he did not bring me here. I entered this room seeking refuge from him, forcing myself to stand despite the pain and exhaustion weighing me down.

It was only then that I realized that I was naked. As if that wasn’t enough, a dreadful chill raced through me, coupled with fear when I saw the person Lying naked beside me.

It was Logan Pierce.

A pure and handsome man unlike any other— every girl’s dream and some men too, upon seeing even a mere photograph. And he was the nightmare of anyone who dared approach him. His very presence was intimidating, and his temperament made him the most feared man. Moreover, he was the uncle of my now ex-boyfriend.

The night’s events crashed back to me. Tears escaped as I donned a shirt— I knew it wasn't mine, but I needed it to escape this place without waking the man beside me. otherwise, I would be dead before I could even make an attempt to defend myself. but my luck was cursed...

Flung to the ground, a hand closed around my neck. He woke and, as feared, this man wanted to kill me.

Logan: "Who the hell paid you to do this? Speak before I do something drastic to you",— He wanted me to speak, but his grip on my neck was so tight I could barely breathe. There was no salvation for me; I was a victim, yet I would die like a criminal.

When I thought my end was near, the door burst open, and to my astonishment, the last traitors I could imagine were there.

Julian, who pretended to be my boyfriend for a bet to satisfy his ego, glared at me with fury. Wasn't he supposed to be the first?

Gasping, I struggled to catch my breath before this person contemplated killing me again.

"But what did you do, Miley? I told you to stop. Think of what will happen to our family when they find out you attacked Mr.Pierce." And yes, that voice condemning me was Audrey's, Julian's lover, and my elder sister. I looked up only to meet Mr. Pierce's furious gaze.

"Stop lying it was you two! I heard you in the hallway last night".

Audrey: "Mr.Pierce, Julian, and I have been looking for my sister all night. She drank too much and was ranting about avenging the humiliation done to our family ".

Logan: "Get out!"— I am going to die, and I don't even have the strength to leave this place. Is it worth saying anything anymore?

Julian remained silent, obviously supporting her. I was so foolish to still hope he would defend me.

Julian: "Uncle, father, and the other Gilbert family members are Audrey told them about what she planned to do."

I wasn't even given the chance to finish dressing before being dragged out. There was my mother, my grandparents, my uncles—all looking at me as if I were the lowest of the low.

"Mom, I swear I did nothing. It was Audrey and Julian. They are lovers; they planned everything".— And as expected I was struck.

"How dare you tarnish your sister's reputation? Have you no Shame? My mother did not believe me.No one did.

Audrey: " Just admit it once and for all and stop blaming others for your actions".

" I will not admit to something I didn't do nor had an idea of! I am the victim here, not you or this man. I was the one..."

"Enough! Mr.Pierce, the Gilbert family begs your forgiveness and has decided what to do with her". Those were my uncle's words, the man I had admired and seen as a father figure all my life, and no one opposed his decision.

Logan:" I won't dirty my hands with trash like this..."— the pain in my chest was indescribable, more agonizing than the pains racking my body or the rejection from my family. I felt my life ebbing away.

Logan:" You have two hours to get out of my city. If I see you again, I will kill you myself".— He left, and I wished to stop him but couldn't. The pain in my chest was sapping my strength, and I couldn't speak.

I was thrown out of the mansion and into the street like a beggar. The cold air hit my skin like daggers and the reality of my situation crashed down on me. This man... Logan was exceedingly cruel, and my heart ached with despair.

As I lay on the pavement, staring up at the night sky, I realized the depth of my isolation. Betrayed by those I loved and threatened by the very man who should have been my protector, I was utterly alone. How had it come to this? I raced as I grappled with the implications of the betrayal. I had no one to turn to, no one to believe my truth. All I could do was pull myself up from the ground, my body trembling as I faced an uncertain future. l had to find a way to survive, to fight back against the forces conspiring against me.

At that moment, I promised myself that I wouldn't let them win. I would find a way to reclaim my life, even if it meant standing against the very one whom I thought was my family