Ashley Prima Donna

Prologue

“You are a disgrace to this family!”

Marco landed on the ground with a loud thud after he received yet another blow on his cheek. His father immediately grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up. Even with the blood pounding in his ears, Marco could still hear his mother’s screams, begging his father to stop. But Matthew might not until he had beaten the life out of his only son.

Mixed with his mother’s screams was the wailing of a child, which instantly caught Matthew’s attention. Still clutching Marco’s collar, Matthew turned to where his wife was and glared at the toddler in her arms. He immediately let go of his son and stormed over to her. Without warning he harshly grabbed the toddler and pushed his wife who tried to grab the child back. Marco’s eyes widened at the sight of his father holding her…his daughter. Matthew went back to Marco and threw the toddler to him. It miraculously landed on Marco’s lap.

“I don’t need that rubbish in my house!” Matthew sternly said, fury evident in his voice. “A child of a bed-hopping woman!” he spat.

Despite the now fractured bones, Marco still moved to hold his daughter. He held her close to his chest, tears now running down his face. In a split second he heard the bang of gates being closed.

Left alone in the streets Marco looked down the child who was now staring at him with eyes glazed with tears. Even in the midst of such situation, Marco couldn’t help but admire his daughter. The way her golden-green eyes—the color of his—stared up at him, the way her fingers curled around his forefinger…no, she wasn’t a curse, she wasn’t rubbish like his father had said when Matthew found out about her that night…she was a blessing.

And on that night, Marco promised her he'd do anything for her regardless of whether or not he had to raise her up, alone, from the young age of sixteen.