Chapter 1
Liam Carter's alarm clock buzzed at 5:30 a.m., pulling him from another restless night. He slapped it off and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his face. He hated mornings like this—when the weight of everything hit him before he even stood up.
In the kitchen, he moved quickly, frying eggs and toasting the last two slices of bread. The fridge was nearly empty, but it would have to do. Payday was still days away, and most of that money was already gone.
"Amelia! Danny! Breakfast!"
The twins rushed into the kitchen, full of energy. Amelia, eight years old and always the boss, dropped into her chair with a dramatic sigh. Danny, a little quieter but just as sharp, followed close behind.
"Dad, I told you I hate crusts," Amelia said, pushing her plate back.
Liam forced a smile. "Eat it anyway. It's good for you."
Danny laughed. "Then why don't you eat them too?"
Liam ruffled his hair. Moments like this were everything. They were all he had, and no matter how tough things got, he'd give anything for them.
After breakfast, he hugged them both tightly at the door. "Be good. I'll see you tonight."
He watched as they walked down the street, their backpacks bouncing. His chest tightened. They deserved better than this—better than a life of scraping by and empty promises.
At the factory, the day dragged. The noise was constant, and exhaustion settled deep in his bones. His phone buzzed just as he stepped outside for a break. He already knew who it was.
"You're late with the payment again, Carter."
"I know," Liam said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I just need more time."
"You've had time. It's up."
The line went dead. Liam stared at the screen, his stomach twisting. What now?
He tried to focus on work, but the whispers around him were impossible to ignore.
"Poor guy. Drowning in debt."
"His girlfriend left him with two kids and vanished."
"He should have known better than to borrow money from those people, how stupid"
Liam heard them all clearly, how could they mock him so easily when they knew nothing about what he was passing through, he gritted his teeth and kept working, ignoring them. He couldn't afford to break down. Not yet.
By the time he got home, the sky was dark, the house silent. His heart sank. They should've been home hours ago.
"Amelia? Danny?"
No answer.
He checked every room, then ran to the neighbor's house. Nothing. His panic grew as he called the school, his fingers trembling.
"They left on time," the secretary said. "Are you sure they're not home?"
Liam dropped the phone, his mind racing. There was only one person who could be behind this. His pulse thundered in his ears. He'll no, He couldn't lose them.
Grabbing his coat, he stormed out into the night.
Victor Caruso's mansion loomed in front of him. Liam didn't care about the guards or the consequences. He needed answers.
He banged on the door until his fists ached. Two large men appeared, their expressions cold and unreadable.
"Where's Victor?" Liam demanded, his voice cracking.
"He's expecting you."
Liam shoved past them, his heart pounding as he entered Victor's office. The mafia boss leaned back in his chair, calm and amused.
"Where are my kids?" Liam's voice trembled with rage.
Victor lit a cigar, taking his time before speaking. "Carter, you should be thanking me."
"Thanking you?" Liam's fists clenched as different possibilities clawed his mind.
"They were a burden. Always holding you back. It's time you moved on."
Liam's heart stopped. "I'm not playing games, Victor. Where are they?"
"I sold their organs. Your debt's cleared."
Liam froze. His breath caught in his throat, his pulse pounding in his ears. No. He couldn't have heard that right. This had to be some sick joke. His mind refused to process the words.
"No... you're lying," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Tell me you're lying."
Victor leaned forward, his expression cold, unfeeling. "Why would I lie? It's business, Carter. And you should be grateful— they were all I took from you."
The room seemed to spin. Liam's knees buckled as a wave of nausea hit him. Images of Amelia and Danny flashed through his mind—their laughter that morning, the way Danny had teased him about eating crusts, Amelia's stubborn pout.
Gone.
His heart twisted so hard it felt like it might rip apart. His world had just been ripped from him in an instant, leaving nothing but a gaping void.
And then the grief turned into something darker.
"You bastard!" Liam roared, lunging across the desk with every ounce of strength he had. His vision blurred with rage, tears streaming down his face. He didn't care if he died right there—he was going to rip Victor apart.
But the guards were faster. They grabbed him, slamming him to the ground.
"Let me go!" Liam thrashed violently, his voice cracking as he screamed. "Where are they?! Give them back! Amelia! Danny!" His cries echoed off the walls, raw and broken, each one cutting deeper than the last.
Victor stood, calm as ever, blowing a puff of smoke. "You should've paid on time, Carter. Actions have consequences. Remember that."
"I'll kill you!" Liam's voice was a guttural snarl, his body shaking as he fought against the guards holding him down. "Do you hear me?! I'll make you pay for this!"
Victor chuckled, motioning to his men. "Throw him out."
They dragged him through the mansion, his voice still hoarse from screaming.
"Amelia! Danny! Please!" His cries turned into sobs, his strength fading as they tossed him into the street like garbage.
He hit the pavement hard, the cold rain splattering against his skin. He stayed there, motionless, his body wracked with sobs. The rain poured down, mixing with his tears, but he didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore.
His fingers dug into the wet concrete, his knuckles turning white. His chest heaved, and his eyes burned, but the grief only fueled the fire inside him.
"You'll pay for this," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Every single one of you. I swear it. I'll make you suffer for what you've done."
The rain kept falling, but Liam didn't move. He had nothing left to lose. And that made him more dangerous than ever.