**Chapter 1: Winter's Chill**

The grandeur of the Stark Family Mansion was never more apparent than during the winter season. Snow blanketed the sprawling estate, transforming it into a scene of picturesque beauty. Inside the mansion, John Stark, the heir to the Stark family legacy, found himself engrossed in a pile of essential business documents.

As he meticulously reviewed the papers, a sudden, stabbing headache disrupted his concentration. It was as though the cold winter winds had found their way into his head. John decided to take a brief respite, hoping to alleviate the discomfort that had seized him.

That evening, while the mansion's grand dining hall was bathed in a warm, golden glow, John joined his father, Jacob Stark, at the dinner table. The elder Stark, a man of wisdom and experience in the world of business, broached the topic of the family's current challenges.

Jacob's eyes held a glint of expectation as he sought his son's thoughts on the matter. John, with a hint of unease, assured his father of his commitment to finding a solution that would steer their business toward success. Yet, when pressed for specifics, he faltered, his uncertainty casting a shadow over the table.

It was then that Jacob, ever the shrewd businessman, proposed a solution that he believed could resolve their predicament. He suggested a marriage between John and Olivia Warner, a scion of a wealthy and influential family. Jacob's proposal hung heavy in the air, like a decision that could alter the course of their lives.

In response, John, overcome by a sudden wave of frustration, rudely declined the proposition. He made it clear that he harbored no desire to wed Olivia. However, Jacob remained resolute, insisting that this union was the only viable path forward, given the equal status of their families.

"John," Jacob intoned, his voice weighted with authority, "I will arrange a meeting for you both. A chance for you to get to know each other."

On December 21st, beneath the glittering skyline of downtown Chicago, in the opulent confines of Moonlight, a high-scale restaurant, John Stark and Olivia Warner sat in one of its private rooms.

With an air of formality, John extended his hand. "Hello, I am John Stark, and you must be Olivia, right?"

Olivia, her face flushed with anger, retorted sharply, "Don't even think about marrying me, you...!"

Before she could finish, John's own frustration boiled over. "You think I'm happy about this? Dream on! My father forced me to meet you, or I wouldn't be here."

Their words clashed like titans, and soon, their argument escalated, reaching a fever pitch. Olivia, unable to bear the tension any longer, abruptly rose from her seat and walked out of the restaurant. John, his anger still smoldering, followed her into the night.

Weeks turned into months, and the pressure from their families became unbearable. Reluctantly, John and Olivia succumbed to their fate and entered into a marriage neither desired. In the solitude of their room, Olivia's tears flowed, a testament to the sorrow that had taken root in her heart.

As John staggered into the room, inebriated and resentful, Olivia recoiled in fear. "What do you want? Get out of this room, you... you ruined my life!"

In his intoxicated stupor, John's actions took a dark turn, leaving Olivia with scars that would haunt her for years to come. In the wake of their tumultuous union, Olivia found herself with child.

Six long years passed within the walls of the Stark mansion, where bitterness and resentment festered. Jacob Stark, once the pillar of the family, lay ill in his bed. Olivia and John's relationship soured further, and they welcomed another child into their fractured home.

This new child, born after Mishal, was met with indifference by his parents. Olivia couldn't bear to look at Mishal without recalling the painful night that still haunted her. John, on the other hand, simply didn't care.

All their attention and affection were reserved for their second child, Noha. In the Stark family, he was treated as the prince, while Mishal remained an outcast.

In the courtyard of the mansion, a confrontation unfolded. A five-year-old Mishal stood accused by his mother, Olivia.

"Mommy, I'm telling the truth," Mishal pleaded. "I didn't take Noha's toy. Please believe me."

But from the other side of the courtyard, a voice chimed in.

"Mommy! Brother is lying. I saw him take my toy and break it, then throw it away!"

Olivia's frustration reached its breaking point. She couldn't bear to hear Mishal's pleas any longer.

"Stop talking," she snapped at him. "From the moment you were born, all you've brought me is trouble. Can't you just leave me alone? And now you've broken your brother's toy!"

With that, Olivia grabbed Mishal's hand, dragged him to a dark room, and locked him inside. The room was cold and foreboding, and Mishal was left to tremble in the corner, his pleas falling on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, Olivia turned her attention to Noha, consoling him. "Don't cry, my baby. I'll buy you a new toy."

"Okay, mommy," Noha replied with a sinister smile.

Two days passed in that dark room. Alone, hungry, and desperate, Mishal's thoughts churned. He realized that no matter what he did, his parents would never love him. In their eyes, he was a burden, not a child.

With newfound determination, Mishal made a life-altering decision. He wouldn't be their child any longer. Leaving this family might be the only way to escape being treated like trash.