Chapter 1

Isabella Blackwood, the mob boss's daughter, took me in for five years. If I wanted the stars, she'd give them; if I desired the moon, she'd pluck it from the sky. She was grooming me as her successor.

But on the day of her engagement party, she caught me sniffing her lingerie and exploded in a fury, personally shipping me off to Devil's Island.

"So young, yet so twisted! You even dare to lust after me, your guardian!"

"Go rot in that hellhole. When you've purged those filthy thoughts, then you can come back!"

The next day, she broke my drawing hand and sent me to Devil's Island.

Devil's Island was where members who committed serious crimes were exiled. Nine out of ten never came back.

I wailed, begging for her forgiveness. Tears welled in her eyes, but she left without a backward glance.

The day after, someone showed up with the boss's signet ring, telling the warden not to worry about my status – just keep me alive.

First day, I was thrown into a rat cage, battling starved rats all night.

Second day, I was forced to clean the hallways with my tongue. My mouth was a mass of blisters; even breathing was agony. I developed a stutter.

…

A year later, Isabella Blackwood finally remembered me.

She was draped in black, sunglasses hiding her eyes, still every bit the unapproachable mob princess.

But behind her stood someone new—her fiancé, Sebastian Thorne.

"You must be Jacob, right? I'm Sebastian Thorne, Isabella's fiancé. You left in such a hurry last year, you missed our engagement."

He finished speaking and raised a hand to pat my head. I flinched instinctively.

Then, trembling, I nudged my head closer, rubbing against his palm.

Isabella felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what.

"Have you learned your lesson?"

My throat tightened, my whole body shaking as memories flooded back.

This past year of beatings, bloodlettings, and humiliation felt like a thousand needles, making each breath a searing pain.

I shrank back, head bowed, my voice barely a whisper:

"I've learned. I really have."

Isabella's breath hitched; a strange bitterness welled up inside her.

Last year, she'd wished I were this docile.

Now that I truly was, it felt like a slap in the face.

"Good that you've learned. From now on, get rid of those improper thoughts."

She nodded curtly, bitterness in her expression, and boarded the helicopter first.

I followed, legs pressed tightly together, afraid to take wide steps.

The moment the chopper lifted off, I gripped the door, face pale, burying my head in my knees.

Memories of being thrown off cliffs into the sea, the impact jarring my organs, surged through me. My blood ran cold, and I shook like a leaf.

Isabella noticed something was wrong and was about to speak when Sebastian cut in:

"Jacob, I heard you used to love sky-high sports. Is it because you haven't tried in a year that you're so worked up?"

Sebastian feigned concern, draping an arm around my shoulders to calm me.

But the hand on my shoulder pressed down hard, and a newly healed wound felt like it was tearing open again.

I clutched my jacket tighter, terrified the smell of blood would leak out and I'd be thrown into the dog kennels for their amusement again.

I nodded numbly. "Yes, just too excited."