Three Years In Chains, A Lifetime Of Vengeance

"You two are responsible for Lily's death!" I shouted, anger pouring out of me.

The forced smile on Sofia's face stiffened instantly, and a trace of panic flashed in her eyes.

Michael reacted at once. "Anna, what are you saying? Have you lost your mind after spending time in prison?"

"Lost my mind?" I stared straight at him while a cold smile formed on my lips. "Two months ago, Lily had pneumonia. Which hospital treated her? Who was the doctor? Where is the death certificate? Show it to me!"

My questions left him silent, and his face shifted between anger and embarrassment.

"You never brought her to a hospital, did you?" I moved closer step by step. The anger in my voice could no longer be held back. "You were too busy enjoying your own lives. To you, Lily was only a burden. You didn't even allow her to stay in the bedroom. When she became sick, you ignored her. You left her there until she died, and afterward you tried to hide the truth!"

Each word cut through me as I spoke, yet the pain did not break me apart. Instead, my thoughts became clearer than ever.

Their shifting eyes and rigid posture told me everything I needed to know. My suspicion had been correct.

Michael's expression turned completely dark. The last hint of the gentle act he used to show disappeared, leaving only the cruel look beneath it.

"So what if you're right?" His voice dropped as he stepped closer. Threats were clear in his eyes. "Anna, what do you think you can do now? You're a convicted criminal. You just walked out of prison. You're unstable. Who would believe anything you say?"

His hand suddenly clamped around my wrist. The pressure was so strong that it felt as if my bones might break.

The bag on my shoulder slipped down and hit the floor.

I winced in pain while trying to pull myself free.

"If you know what's good for you, leave right now and never return," he said coldly. "I'll even give you some money so you can disappear somewhere far away."

His voice lowered near my ear, carrying a chilling tone. "But if you insist on causing trouble, an ex-prisoner ending her own life out of guilt and following her daughter to the grave isn't something unusual."

I stared at the clear intent to kill in his eyes. Then, without warning, a cold laugh escaped me.

The sound of my laughter rang out so loudly that he froze for a moment and loosened his grip on my wrist.

"You're absolutely right, Michael," I said. "I just walked out of prison. I have nothing now, and people see me as a criminal. That's the situation you created for me."

I glanced at the red marks forming on my wrist and rubbed it slowly. Then my arm lifted without hesitation, and my hand struck Michael across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed sharply.

Michael had never imagined someone like me would dare to hit him.

He stood there in shock. One hand pressed against his cheek while the other reached for the wall to steady himself.

"Have you lost your mind?" Sofia cried out in disbelief. She hurried over and tried to grab me.

My left arm pushed her aside while my right hand swung toward her face.

That single strike did not satisfy the anger inside me. I hit her three more times without pause.

Red handprints appeared immediately on her delicate skin. She stumbled backward, lost her balance, and collapsed onto the floor.

"I'm not insane," I said in a cold voice. "Those slaps were for Lily. And this is only the beginning of what you'll face."

Both of them groaned as they clutched their faces. Pain twisted their expressions, leaving them unable to respond.

I leaned down and picked up my bag from the floor before placing the puzzle box inside it.

The bag held very little. Only a few sets of clothes were packed inside, along with a worn piece of paper that had a phone number written on it.

Eight years earlier, an elderly man had given me that note after I saved him in Kregan Central Park.

Bale Smith was his name, a billionaire who kept a low profile.

While jogging that day, he had suffered a heart attack. My first-aid training allowed me to save his life.

Out of gratitude, he told me, "Anna, if you ever need help someday, you can call this number."

Back then, I believed he was only being polite. I never imagined those words would one day become my last hope.

At that moment, I had no way to deal with those two shameless people.

Still, I would find a method eventually.

My thoughts turned to Bale. Perhaps he would be able to help me.

"I'm divorcing you," I said as I turned toward the door. Each step I took was steady. "The divorce papers will reach you soon."

I paused at the door, then added, my voice carrying through the quiet living room, filled with bitter anger, "I will make sure both of you pay for what you've done. You will end up exactly where you belong!"

Without turning back, I walked straight to the door. I opened it and stepped outside without a moment of hesitation.

Night had already settled over the city.

The cold wind of winter cut sharply against my face. It made me shiver, yet it also cleared my thoughts.

From my pocket, I pulled out my phone along with the old note. Then I dialed the number written on it.

After the line connected, Bale's warm and steady voice answered, "This is Bale Smith speaking. Who am I talking to?"

"Mr. Smith," I replied. The cold air made my voice shake slightly, though it wasn't from fear. What filled me now was a firm and growing resolve.

"Anna? Is that really you?" Bale recognized me immediately and sounded surprised. "You finally called! I keep this phone with me twenty-four hours a day because of you!"

Hearing that, I felt a quiet warmth spread through my chest. "Yes, it's me. You once told me that if I ever needed help..."

"Of course," Bale said at once, and his tone softened with concern. "You can reach out to me anytime. What's going on? Tell me what happened."

"I need your help," I said after drawing a deep breath while the urge for revenge burned inside me. "The two people who caused my daughter's death and even tried to kill me must face the consequences."

Bale did not hesitate for even a second. His voice returned steady and decisive. "Tell me where you are. I'll send someone to bring you here. Once you arrive, we will discuss everything else."