His daughter was murdered by the son of his first love, yet he signed the letter of forgiveness with his own hand.

Mark wanted to send our daughter, Lily, to live with his first love's son, a troubled boy named Ethan. Ethan had taken a liking to Lily, seeing her more as a toy than a person. Mark arranged it all behind my back.

I was in Hong Kong on a business trip, shopping for Lily's birthday present – a beautiful princess dress. I called home, excited to tell her I'd be back soon, but Mark answered. He sounded evasive, and a cold dread filled me. He’d mentioned before wanting Lily to spend time with Ethan, and I knew something was wrong.

"Mark, did you send Lily to stay with Veronica and Ethan? You know he's not right in the head!" I practically screamed into the phone.

Mark's tone turned defensive. "You're not a psychologist, Jennifer! Lily's fine. She's failing school; I think she's the one with problems."

"Mark, she's your daughter! How can you defend them and insult her like that?"

He scoffed. "I'm a Harvard graduate and she's failing every class. I've been the laughingstock long enough."

"Mark, one last time: Is Lily at Veronica's?"

"Yeah, so what? She's fine. She called last night, just like always, making up stories and playing the victim."

Panic seized me. "What did she say?"

"Just a bunch of nonsense about being hurt and dying. Her communication skills are pathetic..."

I hung up and ran. I had to get to Veronica's. I pounded on the door until she finally opened it, a smug smile on her face.

"Oh, Jennifer. Mark's not here. Wrong house."

I pushed past her, searching frantically. Lily was nowhere. I grabbed Veronica by her shirt. "Where is she? Tell me!"

"How should I know? Watch your own kid. And don't you dare lay a hand on me, or you'll be paying for it."

I shoved her away. My eyes fell on a doll under the table. Its dress was shredded, its face slashed with scissors. It was Lily’s. I held it up, my voice shaking. "Where is my daughter?"

Veronica glanced nervously towards a bedroom. I turned and saw Ethan peeking out, his eyes dark and unsettling. I knew why I considered him disturbed. He’d been diagnosed with conduct disorder and had a history of animal cruelty, which I’d witnessed myself. How could Mark send Lily there?

I dragged Ethan to the window. He was small and couldn’t resist. Veronica attacked me, a vase smashing against my head. Blood blurred my vision, but I felt no pain. Lily was my everything. If Ethan didn’t talk, I would make him.

"Where is she? Tell me, or I swear I'll throw you out this window!"

Ethan’s smirk faltered. He pointed down. There was only grass below. Then, a horrifying realization hit me. I squeezed Ethan's throat.

Mark's voice burst in. "Jennifer! Are you crazy? Leave him alone! He's just a kid! Taking your anger out on a child? Have you no decency?"

He punched and kicked me, but my grip tightened. Ethan’s face turned red. Mark yelled, "You looking for Lily? Go find her yourself! See where your spoiled brat ran off to!"

Something in his words snapped me back. I let go of Ethan and stumbled out. M...