Bound by Deception

Prologue

I held my breath past the point of dizziness, unwilling to surrender to the fire in my throat. Breathing meant facing the pain, and I wasn't ready to yield to the sorrows of my life. My father was a tyrant, a source of shame and frustration. Being a part of the Lee family was exhausting.

For years, he would stagger into my room in the middle of the night, drunk and looking for someone to blame. I was his target. At first, I accepted the punishment, believing it was my fault. He blamed me for my mother's illness, convinced that my birth had nearly killed her. She had been gravely sick, but she survived, enduring against all odds. Yet even after 18 years, he couldn't forget her suffering.

When I was seven, he looked me in the eye, slapped me, and dragged me to the basement. He left me there for five days, surrounded by rats and snakes, with no food or water. When I emerged, I learned I had a new brother, a baby spoiled and cherished, unlike me.

My father once worked at a bank but craved wealth and power. He networked with influential people, eventually amassing a fortune. Now, he owns hotels, a library, mansions, luxury car brands, and even a private jet. But despite his success, he remained cruel.

Now, I'm 20, and my brother is 13. He's the only bright spot in this hellish existence. Despite everything, he loves me more than our parents.

Recently, my father nearly strangled me to death, leaving bruises I struggle to conceal. The reason? He announced, smiling at my mother, that I would be married off. I refused, declaring I wouldn't be part of a marriage of convenience. He became furious, lifted me by the throat, and said I had no choice. The groom was from the Kim family, one of the wealthiest in the country. My father saw this as an opportunity for fame and fortune, but I only wanted to escape this toxic family.

Yet, even in this nightmare, my brother remains. He's forced to do things he doesn't want to, but at least he's spared the physical abuse. His love gives me strength, but my heart breaks for him.

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