Chapter 1 - The Belt She Raised
Michael ran down the narrow staircase and found three children huddled on the kitchen floor. Behind them stood Vanessa, holding a black leather belt raised high.
“You will obey me!” she shouted.
The belt never struck, but the children flinched as if it had.
“Dad, please help us!” the boy cried.
Michael stepped between them, took the belt, dropped it to the floor, and pushed Vanessa back to protect the children.
“You’re safe now. I’m here.”
Vanessa laughed coldly.
“They’re not your children, Michael. Just foster kids your ex-wife left behind.”
Michael’s expression hardened.
“They are children. That is enough.”
May you like
The oldest girl pulled a folded document from her sleeve. Vanessa had forced them to sign it before Michael arrived. It labeled them dangerous, dishonest, and unfit for adoption.
At the bottom was Michael’s signature — dated the previous week.
