pennyforthoughts
Sicily Anne has spent most of her life trapped inside a crumbling apartment in the streets of Brooklyn, hidden away by her abusive, drug-addicted mother.
She hasn't stepped outside since she was six. Her world is limited to four stained walls, locked doors, and the blame she carries for a father's death she barely remembers-killed by a rare genetic illness called Niemann-Pick.
When Sicily is diagnosed with the same disease, her mother wants nothing more to do with her. She disappears without warning, leaving Sicily to fend for herself.
Hopeless and alone, Sicily walks to the Brooklyn Bridge with one goal: to end her life. But before she can take that final step, an older man intervenes and brings her to the police. With no name, no voice, and no guardian, she's placed in a children's shelter overnight while authorities run her DNA.
Records reveal only distant blood relatives-a family living in Russia with a criminal empire that spans continents. When contacted, they initially refuse to take her in. But everything changes when the head of the family agrees to custody.
Sicily is flown across the world and delivered into a cold, hostile household. She quickly realizes that this isn't a warm reunion-she's just an obligation. No one wants her there. Fearing that if they find out about her illness they'll abandon her like everyone else, she hides it pretending to be healthy, somewhat normal, and strong.
But this new life is built on secrets, power, and silence.
And Sicily's quiet presence may prove more dangerous than anyone expects.