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𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹, was on her own -- sat up against her bathtub breathing heavily, she scrunched up her face as she pushed hard --- the burning of crowning pain was intense --- and she tried to stay as silent as she could, not wanting her mother to hear her. but her secret was about to be born into this world.she let out a gasp of relief when finally, the baby slipped free from her body and into the warm water of the bathtub, a small, slippery bundle of life. she reached down, her hand trembling, and cradled her daughter, pulling her out of the water and onto her chest.she cried, cradling the baby in her arms, tears of pain and joy mixing together. "you're okay," she whispered, her voice shaky. "you're okay."the baby wailed, a tiny, high-pitched sound that seemed to echo in the quiet bathroom. amery looked down at her, the silver light of the moon shining on the newborn's skin, making her look almost ethereal. she was so small, so perfect, so... real.the baby had silver hair -- amplified by the way the moon shone on her.but amery knew her mother had no doubt heard the baby crying --- the water was no longer running and she couldnt force the baby not to cry.she stumbled over to the towel rack, her legs wobbly and her body weak from the exertion. she grabbed a towel and wrapped the baby in it, the soft fabric enveloping her in warmth."my girl... i'm so sorry." amery sobbed, her heart breaking at the thought of what she had to do next. she had no idea what she was going to tell her mother, or what would happen to them both now.when amery's mother bursted into the bathroom, she didn't know what she was expecting to find. but a newborn baby in the arms of her daughter was not it. "what the hell is going on here?" she screamed, her eyes wide with shock and horror."m-mom... i can explain..." amery stuttered, holding the baby as close to her as she possibly could.her mother's anger was a living breathing thing --- it filled the room like smoke, choking the air. "who is he?!" she demanded, her voice shaking with rage."m-..." she didn't want to say the name. she couldn't. "it doesn't matter." she whispered, her eyes pleading with her mother to understand.helen stormed towards amery and snatched the baby out of her arms. "you can NOT keep it! imagine how everyone will look at me, will think what kind of parent i am if they see you with this fucking baby!"amery felt her heart drop to her stomach, the warmth of the baby's body leaving her arms with a cold emptiness that she didn't know she could feel. "mom, please," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "i can take care of her. i promise. i will..."she walked out the bathroom and downstairs. helen placed the baby on the table and then left the house, walking across into the toolshed. she returned with a small metal box and placed it down next to the crying child. "you want to keep her?" she spat out. "you can't. nobody can know. nobody."she opened the box, picking up a small axe, holding it above the baby.the small child cooed, unaware of the horror that was unfolding around her.amery's eyes widened in terror, her heart racing as she saw the cold steel glinting in the moonlit room."no! MOM NO!" she cried out, her voice cracking with desperation, her body shaking as she tried to get to the baby.helen kicked her in the face, sending her reeling back, her vision momentarily blurring from the pain. "you will never speak of this again," she said, her voice low and threatening. "this never happened. do you understand?""she's just a baby..." ameri's voice was a hoarse whisper, her eyes never leaving the axe in her mother's hand. she couldn't believe what she was seeing, couldn't believe what her mother was saying.she needed to do something. she wasn't going to allow her mother to take this from her too.with a surge of adrenaline fueled by desperation, amerik managed to get up despite her trembling legs and the searing pain from the kick. she staggered towards the axe, her eyes never leaving the weapon above the child.she finally lunged forward, her hand wrapping around the wooden handle of the axe with surprising strength. with a wild cry, she swung it in a powerful arc, aiming to knock the weapon from her mother's grip.helen was caught off-guard by her daughter's sudden surge of strength, the axe slipping from her grasp mid-swing. It clattered to the floor, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot in the stillness of the night. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as they stared at each other, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.for the first time, ameri had stuck up for herself against her mother --- and it was to protect her own child. the axe lay forgotten between them, both women panting heavily from the sudden exertion and the raw emotion that filled the air."you cannot hurt her..."With a fierce determination, Amery dove for the axe, her body moving almost of its own accord. She had never felt such a primal need to protect something so innocent and defenseless. The weight of the axe was surprising in her hands, but she knew she had to act.her mother's eyes widened, "what are you going to do, huh? kill me? and then what?"but amery didn't answer. she couldn't. she just knew that she had to stop her mother. she had to protect her baby.with trembling hands,amery swung the axe, landing it right in the side of her mother's neck, blood spurting out like a geyser.the room spun around her, a cacophony of her mother's screams and the baby's cries melding into a single, discordant sound that seemed to resonate deep within her soul.she stood there with wide eyes, staring at the blood soaking the towel and pooling on the floor around her mother's crumpled form. helen's hand twitched once, then went still.on the wall, leaving a crimson trail in its wake.a pool of blood formed around amery's feet -- but she dashed towards the newborn baby, scooping her up and cradling her tightly against her chest. the child was still crying, oblivious to the horror that had just unfolded in front of her.the police had been called, and amery was questioned for hours, but was released when it was determined she had acted in self defense.she was given the necessary funds to start a new life for herself and her daughter.so she decided to move away from virginia and go all the way to new york city. she had dreams of a better life, of becoming someone, of leaving the past behind.living upstate was one of the best decisions she had ever made. the anonymity of the city allowed her to focus on her music and raise her daughter, without the constant whispers and stares that had haunted her in their small town.with the lost of helen, amery suffered from nightmares and survior's guilt, but she pushed through for the sake of her daughter, whom she had decided to name maï,pronounced "my." she had no intention of letting the darkness of her past dictate their future.𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟏, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆everyone cheered as maï blew out the "#1" candle on her cake which had been shaped to be a microphone. the party was in full swing, and the home was filled with the sound of laughter, music, and the smell of amery's famous lasagna.when people asked her when she would tell the father of her child -- she replied by saying he didn't deserve to be apart of their lives. she had her reasons and she stuck to them. she had made a promise to herself and to maï that she would never reveal his identity to anyone.she had met a woman who lived in the neighborhood 'marielle' who was there for her and helped her raise maï, teaching her the ways of motherhood and life. marielle had a calming presence, and her warm smile was always there to greet them when they needed it most.sayvion -- the father of maï, had lied to her. he had been married with kids. he had a family and a life she knew nothing about. summer felt so betrayed, she could feel the bile rising in her throat every time she thought of his name. she had never told him she was pregnant. she didn't want him to have the power to ruin her life. she had made sure of that.life was peaceful for her and her child, until 2005.amery had tucked in her five year old daughter, sang her a lullaby, and was now making her way back downstairs.she had to admit, she was tired -- not just from being a fulltime mother, but also keeping up with her music career. but it was all worth it. every time she saw maï's sweet smile, all the pain and sacrifice seemed to melt away.as soon as she turned the corner, two men dressed in black grabbed her and tackled her to the floor.she thrashed around as one held her down -- the other ripped her nightgown -- and the third searched the house, swiping valuable items into a duffle bag. "Maï!" she screamed, her eyes wild with fear. "Get out?"the man holding her down, mocked her cries for her daughter to run, "your little secret is safe, don't worry, sweetheart," his voice was like gravel, harsh and unforgiving. "we're just here to collect what's owed."little maï heard the entire thing, "mama!" she cried.◢◣◥◤◢◣the room was spinning, the terror of the moment sinking in deep as amery struggled beneath the weight of the man pinning her down. the scent of sweat and fear filled the air, and she couldn't breathe, her chest tightening as the panic began to take over. "let go of me!" she screamed, her body writhing, but he only tightened his grip.the man beside her, his hands rough and calloused, tore her nightgown, exposing her skin to the cold air. she fought against him with all her strength, but it felt like she was fighting a brick wall. "stop!" she cried, her voice breaking, but it was useless.through the haze of panic, she could hear her daughter's terrified cries. "mama!" maï's voice echoed through the house, a raw, heart-wrenching sound that sent a shiver of dread through amery's spine. "maï, no!" she managed to choke out, her heart racing. she had to protect her, she had to keep her safe.the man holding her down chuckled darkly, his fingers digging into her wrists. "don't worry about the little one," he sneered. "we've got what we came for." he looked over his shoulder at the other man who was ransacking the house. "when you owe people, sweetheart, they come to collect. it's nothing personal."amery's mind raced, every instinct telling her to fight back, to protect her daughter at any cost. this couldn't be happening again, not after everything she had done to keep maï safe. the memories of the past, of the betrayal and the violence, came flooding back, overwhelming her. her life had been nothing but a constant battle against the darkness, and she couldn't lose now.the man still holding her smirked, enjoying her struggle. "it's too late for you, sweetheart," he muttered as he shoved her head down against the floor, the pressure dizzying. "your past catches up to you eventually."but as he leaned closer, amery's eyes glinted with desperation, a flicker of something darker taking root. her free hand, trembling, reached for anything, anything she could use to defend herself.and then, her fingers brushed against the cold, sharp edge of a knife. she didn't think. without a second thought, she grabbed it, and with every ounce of strength she had left, she drove it into the man's side.he yelped, his grip loosening just enough for amery to throw him off. the pain was blinding, but the adrenaline coursing through her veins drowned it out. she scrambled to her feet, her eyes searching for her daughter."maï!" she shouted, her voice full of fear and anger.the men were disoriented for a moment, but the chaos only lasted seconds. amery ran toward the stairs, not caring about the blood staining her hands, the adrenaline pushing her forward, faster than she had ever moved before.maï's cries were louder now, sharper, and they filled her ears like a desperate plea for salvation."mama!" maï screamed again from the top of the stairs, and amery's heart shattered in that moment."maï!" she cried back, her voice cracking, as she bolted up the stairs. she reached her daughter's room, the door wide open, and saw her little girl standing there, wide-eyed, trembling. "come here, baby," amery sobbed, rushing to her side. she pulled maï into her arms, holding her as tightly as she could, blocking out the pain and fear, focusing only on the one thing that mattered.they had to get out of there.but the men weren't far behind. one of them shouted for the others to hurry, and amery's mind raced, her chest tight as she looked at her daughter. she knew she couldn't let them take maï. she couldn't let them take her from her."hold on, baby," amery whispered, her voice shaky as she looked down at maï, trying to steady her breath. "we're gonna be okay."but deep inside, she knew the battle was far from over.◢◣◥◤◢◣the man who had been collecting the valuables from around the house suddenly turned, his hand gripping a wrench like it was an extension of his own body. his eyes locked on amery with fury, the kind of fury that came from betrayal and years of unresolved anger.he pointed the wrench directly at her, and in that moment, her blood ran cold. there was something all too familiar about the way he moved, the sharpness in his movements — it wasn't just a random thug. this was personal."sayvion told me you would put up a fight," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. the mention of sayvion hit amery like a slap to the face, and a sick realization spread through her like a poison.she froze, a chill settling in her bones. sayvion. he had set this up. all of it. the men, the break-in, the violence. he had known she would fight back. he had known exactly what would happen.her mind raced as the anger burned within her chest, hotter than it had ever been. she had known sayvion had betrayed her, but to this extent? to orchestrate something so vile, so cruel? it was unimaginable.the man took a step closer, his grip tightening on the wrench as he advanced toward her, the weight of his words sinking deeper into amery's gut with each step. "he said you'd fight, but you'd lose," he continued, his words slicing through the air. "he said you'd protect that little girl of yours. you'd do anything for her, huh?"the wrench glinted in the dim light, its heavy metal reflecting the dim glow of the night. amery's heart pounded in her chest as the realization crashed over her like a tidal wave. she wasn't just fighting for her own survival. she was fighting for maï's too."you're wrong," she muttered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and rage. she would not let them take her daughter. not now. not ever.but the man was already too close, the wrench raised like a weapon, and she knew that whatever happened next, this was the moment her entire world would shift yet again."we'll see about that," he sneered, his eyes filled with malice as he lunged toward her.◢◣◥◤◢◣the man was quick, too quick for amery to react in time. he grabbed her by the arms, his fingers digging into her skin with bruising force. she struggled against him, trying to twist and pull free, but his grip was unyielding. fear surged through her as she realized she couldn't break free. her heart raced, panic clawing at her throat.then, from the corner of her eye, she saw maï. the little girl had been standing in the doorway, her small frame trembling with fear. but as she saw her mother in danger, the love and protective instinct that only a child could possess flared within her. without thinking, maï lunged at the man's legs, her tiny hands gripping his pants, her teeth sinking into the flesh of his calf in a desperate attempt to stop him.the man howled in pain, his grip on amery faltering for a moment as he kicked out, knocking maï to the floor with a sickening thud. amery's breath caught in her throat, a scream of horror rising in her chest as she watched her daughter crumble to the ground. the man had kicked her — kicked her like she was nothing more than a nuisance, an obstacle. amery's heart shattered as maï cried out, her tiny body writhing in pain."maï!" amery screamed, her voice raw with anguish. she fought with every ounce of strength she had, tearing herself from the man's grip. adrenaline flooded her veins, and her vision went blurry with rage. she had to protect maï. she had to make sure she was safe.her hands shot out, grabbing anything within reach — a heavy vase from the table, a chair leg — anything she could use as a weapon. but before she could strike, the man's fury was unleashed. he swung the wrench with brutal precision, his knuckles white around the handle. amery saw it too late. the wrench collided with the side of her face with sickening force, the sharp edge slamming into her cheek and sending a burst of pain through her entire body.she cried out in shock, the pain radiating through her skull, blurring her vision. her legs gave out, and she fell to the floor, dizzy and disoriented. the taste of blood filled her mouth, warm and metallic, as she struggled to stay conscious. everything around her spun. her face throbbed, a sharp sting where the wrench had struck, and her pulse raced.but she couldn't stop. she couldn't let herself stay down. not when maï was still in danger.through the haze of pain, amery scrambled to her feet, her hands shaking as she wiped the blood from her mouth. her vision was clouded with tears, but she could still see the man. he was looking down at her, his expression a mixture of anger and satisfaction. he thought he had her. he thought he had broken her.but he was wrong.amery's eyes narrowed, fury burning like fire behind the haze of pain. she would not let him take maï. she would not let him destroy the one thing in her life that mattered more than anything. she had survived worse. and she would survive this, too.with a primal roar, she lunged at the man, her hands outstretched as she tried to grab the wrench. but before she could reach it, he brought the wrench down again, this time toward her head. the metal edge glinted in the dim light, but amery was faster. she twisted away, the wrench missing her by inches, the force of his swing knocking him off balance.she didn't hesitate. this was her chance.amery kicked out, her boot connecting with his knee with a sickening crack. he stumbled, momentarily off-balance, and she used that second to shove him back with all her might. he collided with the wall, his head slamming into the hard surface with a grunt of pain. for a moment, he was dazed, his vision spinning.but amery wasn't done. she wasn't finished yet."get away from my daughter!" she screamed, her voice hoarse from the pain, her whole body trembling with adrenaline-fueled rage.the man pushed himself off the wall, his face contorted with fury, blood beginning to trickle from a cut on his forehead. he lunged at amery, swinging the wrench again. but she was ready. she ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, and grabbed a nearby chair, hurling it at him with every ounce of strength she had left.the chair hit him square in the chest, knocking him backward. he hit the floor hard, the wrench slipping from his hand. for a moment, there was silence, broken only by the sound of maï's quiet sobs from across the room.amery's breath came in ragged gasps, her chest heaving as she tried to steady herself. her face burned from the pain of the blow, and her legs wobbled beneath her. but she had to keep going. she had to protect maï.she turned, her eyes falling on her daughter. maï was still on the floor, her small body curled up in a ball, her face pale and streaked with tears. amery rushed to her side, lifting her into her arms as she whispered soothing words, her heart aching with the sight of her child so frightened."it's okay, maï. mama's here. mama's got you. you're safe."the man groaned behind them, pushing himself to his knees, but he was too weak to fight now. amery could hear his heavy breathing, the sound of his rage simmering beneath the surface.she turned her back to him, cradling maï tightly to her chest. "stay down," she spat, her voice cold. "don't come near us again."for a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of their breathing — hers labored from the fight, maï's soft and fragile as she clung to her mother, trying to make sense of the chaos.and then, the man fell silent.he never moved again.𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹, was on her own -- sat up against her bathtub breathing heavily, she scrunched up her face as she pushed hard --- the burning of crowning pain was intense --- and she tried to stay as silent as she could, not wanting her mother to hear her. but her secret was about to be born into this world.she let out a gasp of relief when finally, the baby slipped free from her body and into the warm water of the bathtub, a small, slippery bundle of life. she reached down, her hand trembling, and cradled her daughter, pulling her out of the water and onto her chest.she cried, cradling the baby in her arms, tears of pain and joy mixing together. "you're okay," she whispered, her voice shaky. "you're okay."the baby wailed, a tiny, high-pitched sound that seemed to echo in the quiet bathroom. amery looked down at her, the silver light of the moon shining on the newborn's skin, making her look almost ethereal. she was so small, so perfect, so... real.the baby had silver hair -- amplified by the way the moon shone on her.but amery knew her mother had no doubt heard the baby crying --- the water was no longer running and she couldnt force the baby not to cry.she stumbled over to the towel rack, her legs wobbly and her body weak from the exertion. she grabbed a towel and wrapped the baby in it, the soft fabric enveloping her in warmth."my girl... i'm so sorry." amery sobbed, her heart breaking at the thought of what she had to do next. she had no idea what she was going to tell her mother, or what would happen to them both now.when amery's mother bursted into the bathroom, she didn't know what she was expecting to find. but a newborn baby in the arms of her daughter was not it. "what the hell is going on here?" she screamed, her eyes wide with shock and horror."m-mom... i can explain..." amery stuttered, holding the baby as close to her as she possibly could.her mother's anger was a living breathing thing --- it filled the room like smoke, choking the air. "who is he?!" she demanded, her voice shaking with rage."m-..." she didn't want to say the name. she couldn't. "it doesn't matter." she whispered, her eyes pleading with her mother to understand.helen stormed towards amery and snatched the baby out of her arms. "you can NOT keep it! imagine how everyone will look at me, will think what kind of parent i am if they see you with this fucking baby!"amery felt her heart drop to her stomach, the warmth of the baby's body leaving her arms with a cold emptiness that she didn't know she could feel. "mom, please," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "i can take care of her. i promise. i will..."she walked out the bathroom and downstairs. helen placed the baby on the table and then left the house, walking across into the toolshed. she returned with a small metal box and placed it down next to the crying child. "you want to keep her?" she spat out. "you can't. nobody can know. nobody."she opened the box, picking up a small axe, holding it above the baby.the small child cooed, unaware of the horror that was unfolding around her.amery's eyes widened in terror, her heart racing as she saw the cold steel glinting in the moonlit room."no! MOM NO!" she cried out, her voice cracking with desperation, her body shaking as she tried to get to the baby.helen kicked her in the face, sending her reeling back, her vision momentarily blurring from the pain. "you will never speak of this again," she said, her voice low and threatening. "this never happened. do you understand?""she's just a baby..." ameri's voice was a hoarse whisper, her eyes never leaving the axe in her mother's hand. she couldn't believe what she was seeing, couldn't believe what her mother was saying.she needed to do something. she wasn't going to allow her mother to take this from her too.with a surge of adrenaline fueled by desperation, amerik managed to get up despite her trembling legs and the searing pain from the kick. she staggered towards the axe, her eyes never leaving the weapon above the child.she finally lunged forward, her hand wrapping around the wooden handle of the axe with surprising strength. with a wild cry, she swung it in a powerful arc, aiming to knock the weapon from her mother's grip.helen was caught off-guard by her daughter's sudden surge of strength, the axe slipping from her grasp mid-swing. It clattered to the floor, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot in the stillness of the night. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as they stared at each other, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.for the first time, ameri had stuck up for herself against her mother --- and it was to protect her own child. the axe lay forgotten between them, both women panting heavily from the sudden exertion and the raw emotion that filled the air."you cannot hurt her..."With a fierce determination, Amery dove for the axe, her body moving almost of its own accord. She had never felt such a primal need to protect something so innocent and defenseless. The weight of the axe was surprising in her hands, but she knew she had to act.her mother's eyes widened, "what are you going to do, huh? kill me? and then what?"but amery didn't answer. she couldn't. she just knew that she had to stop her mother. she had to protect her baby.with trembling hands,amery swung the axe, landing it right in the side of her mother's neck, blood spurting out like a geyser.the room spun around her, a cacophony of her mother's screams and the baby's cries melding into a single, discordant sound that seemed to resonate deep within her soul.she stood there with wide eyes, staring at the blood soaking the towel and pooling on the floor around her mother's crumpled form. helen's hand twitched once, then went still.on the wall, leaving a crimson trail in its wake.a pool of blood formed around amery's feet -- but she dashed towards the newborn baby, scooping her up and cradling her tightly against her chest. the child was still crying, oblivious to the horror that had just unfolded in front of her.the police had been called, and amery was questioned for hours, but was released when it was determined she had acted in self defense.she was given the necessary funds to start a new life for herself and her daughter.so she decided to move away from virginia and go all the way to new york city. she had dreams of a better life, of becoming someone, of leaving the past behind.living upstate was one of the best decisions she had ever made. the anonymity of the city allowed her to focus on her music and raise her daughter, without the constant whispers and stares that had haunted her in their small town.with the lost of helen, amery suffered from nightmares and survior's guilt, but she pushed through for the sake of her daughter, whom she had decided to name maï,pronounced "my." she had no intention of letting the darkness of her past dictate their future.𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟏, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆everyone cheered as maï blew out the "#1" candle on her cake which had been shaped to be a microphone. the party was in full swing, and the home was filled with the sound of laughter, music, and the smell of amery's famous lasagna.when people asked her when she would tell the father of her child -- she replied by saying he didn't deserve to be apart of their lives. she had her reasons and she stuck to them. she had made a promise to herself and to maï that she would never reveal his identity to anyone.she had met a woman who lived in the neighborhood 'marielle' who was there for her and helped her raise maï, teaching her the ways of motherhood and life. marielle had a calming presence, and her warm smile was always there to greet them when they needed it most.sayvion -- the father of maï, had lied to her. he had been married with kids. he had a family and a life she knew nothing about. summer felt so betrayed, she could feel the bile rising in her throat every time she thought of his name. she had never told him she was pregnant. she didn't want him to have the power to ruin her life. she had made sure of that.life was peaceful for her and her child, until 2005.amery had tucked in her five year old daughter, sang her a lullaby, and was now making her way back downstairs.she had to admit, she was tired -- not just from being a fulltime mother, but also keeping up with her music career. but it was all worth it. every time she saw maï's sweet smile, all the pain and sacrifice seemed to melt away.as soon as she turned the corner, two men dressed in black grabbed her and tackled her to the floor.she thrashed around as one held her down -- the other ripped her nightgown -- and the third searched the house, swiping valuable items into a duffle bag. "Maï!" she screamed, her eyes wild with fear. "Get out?"the man holding her down, mocked her cries for her daughter to run, "your little secret is safe, don't worry, sweetheart," his voice was like gravel, harsh and unforgiving. "we're just here to collect what's owed."little maï heard the entire thing, "mama!" she cried.◢◣◥◤◢◣the room was spinning, the terror of the moment sinking in deep as amery struggled beneath the weight of the man pinning her down. the scent of sweat and fear filled the air, and she couldn't breathe, her chest tightening as the panic began to take over. "let go of me!" she screamed, her body writhing, but he only tightened his grip.the man beside her, his hands rough and calloused, tore her nightgown, exposing her skin to the cold air. she fought against him with all her strength, but it felt like she was fighting a brick wall. "stop!" she cried, her voice breaking, but it was useless.through the haze of panic, she could hear her daughter's terrified cries. "mama!" maï's voice echoed through the house, a raw, heart-wrenching sound that sent a shiver of dread through amery's spine. "maï, no!" she managed to choke out, her heart racing. she had to protect her, she had to keep her safe.the man holding her down chuckled darkly, his fingers digging into her wrists. "don't worry about the little one," he sneered. "we've got what we came for." he looked over his shoulder at the other man who was ransacking the house. "when you owe people, sweetheart, they come to collect. it's nothing personal."amery's mind raced, every instinct telling her to fight back, to protect her daughter at any cost. this couldn't be happening again, not after everything she had done to keep maï safe. the memories of the past, of the betrayal and the violence, came flooding back, overwhelming her. her life had been nothing but a constant battle against the darkness, and she couldn't lose now.the man still holding her smirked, enjoying her struggle. "it's too late for you, sweetheart," he muttered as he shoved her head down against the floor, the pressure dizzying. "your past catches up to you eventually."but as he leaned closer, amery's eyes glinted with desperation, a flicker of something darker taking root. her free hand, trembling, reached for anything, anything she could use to defend herself.and then, her fingers brushed against the cold, sharp edge of a knife. she didn't think. without a second thought, she grabbed it, and with every ounce of strength she had left, she drove it into the man's side.he yelped, his grip loosening just enough for amery to throw him off. the pain was blinding, but the adrenaline coursing through her veins drowned it out. she scrambled to her feet, her eyes searching for her daughter."maï!" she shouted, her voice full of fear and anger.the men were disoriented for a moment, but the chaos only lasted seconds. amery ran toward the stairs, not caring about the blood staining her hands, the adrenaline pushing her forward, faster than she had ever moved before.maï's cries were louder now, sharper, and they filled her ears like a desperate plea for salvation."mama!" maï screamed again from the top of the stairs, and amery's heart shattered in that moment."maï!" she cried back, her voice cracking, as she bolted up the stairs. she reached her daughter's room, the door wide open, and saw her little girl standing there, wide-eyed, trembling. "come here, baby," amery sobbed, rushing to her side. she pulled maï into her arms, holding her as tightly as she could, blocking out the pain and fear, focusing only on the one thing that mattered.they had to get out of there.but the men weren't far behind. one of them shouted for the others to hurry, and amery's mind raced, her chest tight as she looked at her daughter. she knew she couldn't let them take maï. she couldn't let them take her from her."hold on, baby," amery whispered, her voice shaky as she looked down at maï, trying to steady her breath. "we're gonna be okay."but deep inside, she knew the battle was far from over.◢◣◥◤◢◣the man who had been collecting the valuables from around the house suddenly turned, his hand gripping a wrench like it was an extension of his own body. his eyes locked on amery with fury, the kind of fury that came from betrayal and years of unresolved anger.he pointed the wrench directly at her, and in that moment, her blood ran cold. there was something all too familiar about the way he moved, the sharpness in his movements — it wasn't just a random thug. this was personal."sayvion told me you would put up a fight," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. the mention of sayvion hit amery like a slap to the face, and a sick realization spread through her like a poison.she froze, a chill settling in her bones. sayvion. he had set this up. all of it. the men, the break-in, the violence. he had known she would fight back. he had known exactly what would happen.her mind raced as the anger burned within her chest, hotter than it had ever been. she had known sayvion had betrayed her, but to this extent? to orchestrate something so vile, so cruel? it was unimaginable.the man took a step closer, his grip tightening on the wrench as he advanced toward her, the weight of his words sinking deeper into amery's gut with each step. "he said you'd fight, but you'd lose," he continued, his words slicing through the air. "he said you'd protect that little girl of yours. you'd do anything for her, huh?"the wrench glinted in the dim light, its heavy metal reflecting the dim glow of the night. amery's heart pounded in her chest as the realization crashed over her like a tidal wave. she wasn't just fighting for her own survival. she was fighting for maï's too."you're wrong," she muttered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and rage. she would not let them take her daughter. not now. not ever.but the man was already too close, the wrench raised like a weapon, and she knew that whatever happened next, this was the moment her entire world would shift yet again."we'll see about that," he sneered, his eyes filled with malice as he lunged toward her.◢◣◥◤◢◣the man was quick, too quick for amery to react in time. he grabbed her by the arms, his fingers digging into her skin with bruising force. she struggled against him, trying to twist and pull free, but his grip was unyielding. fear surged through her as she realized she couldn't break free. her heart raced, panic clawing at her throat.then, from the corner of her eye, she saw maï. the little girl had been standing in the doorway, her small frame trembling with fear. but as she saw her mother in danger, the love and protective instinct that only a child could possess flared within her. without thinking, maï lunged at the man's legs, her tiny hands gripping his pants, her teeth sinking into the flesh of his calf in a desperate attempt to stop him.the man howled in pain, his grip on amery faltering for a moment as he kicked out, knocking maï to the floor with a sickening thud. amery's breath caught in her throat, a scream of horror rising in her chest as she watched her daughter crumble to the ground. the man had kicked her — kicked her like she was nothing more than a nuisance, an obstacle. amery's heart shattered as maï cried out, her tiny body writhing in pain."maï!" amery screamed, her voice raw with anguish. she fought with every ounce of strength she had, tearing herself from the man's grip. adrenaline flooded her veins, and her vision went blurry with rage. she had to protect maï. she had to make sure she was safe.her hands shot out, grabbing anything within reach — a heavy vase from the table, a chair leg — anything she could use as a weapon. but before she could strike, the man's fury was unleashed. he swung the wrench with brutal precision, his knuckles white around the handle. amery saw it too late. the wrench collided with the side of her face with sickening force, the sharp edge slamming into her cheek and sending a burst of pain through her entire body.she cried out in shock, the pain radiating through her skull, blurring her vision. her legs gave out, and she fell to the floor, dizzy and disoriented. the taste of blood filled her mouth, warm and metallic, as she struggled to stay conscious. everything around her spun. her face throbbed, a sharp sting where the wrench had struck, and her pulse raced.but she couldn't stop. she couldn't let herself stay down. not when maï was still in danger.through the haze of pain, amery scrambled to her feet, her hands shaking as she wiped the blood from her mouth. her vision was clouded with tears, but she could still see the man. he was looking down at her, his expression a mixture of anger and satisfaction. he thought he had her. he thought he had broken her.but he was wrong.amery's eyes narrowed, fury burning like fire behind the haze of pain. she would not let him take maï. she would not let him destroy the one thing in her life that mattered more than anything. she had survived worse. and she would survive this, too.with a primal roar, she lunged at the man, her hands outstretched as she tried to grab the wrench. but before she could reach it, he brought the wrench down again, this time toward her head. the metal edge glinted in the dim light, but amery was faster. she twisted away, the wrench missing her by inches, the force of his swing knocking him off balance.she didn't hesitate. this was her chance.amery kicked out, her boot connecting with his knee with a sickening crack. he stumbled, momentarily off-balance, and she used that second to shove him back with all her might. he collided with the wall, his head slamming into the hard surface with a grunt of pain. for a moment, he was dazed, his vision spinning.but amery wasn't done. she wasn't finished yet."get away from my daughter!" she screamed, her voice hoarse from the pain, her whole body trembling with adrenaline-fueled rage.the man pushed himself off the wall, his face contorted with fury, blood beginning to trickle from a cut on his forehead. he lunged at amery, swinging the wrench again. but she was ready. she ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, and grabbed a nearby chair, hurling it at him with every ounce of strength she had left.the chair hit him square in the chest, knocking him backward. he hit the floor hard, the wrench slipping from his hand. for a moment, there was silence, broken only by the sound of maï's quiet sobs from across the room.amery's breath came in ragged gasps, her chest heaving as she tried to steady herself. her face burned from the pain of the blow, and her legs wobbled beneath her. but she had to keep going. she had to protect maï.she turned, her eyes falling on her daughter. maï was still on the floor, her small body curled up in a ball, her face pale and streaked with tears. amery rushed to her side, lifting her into her arms as she whispered soothing words, her heart aching with the sight of her child so frightened."it's okay, maï. mama's here. mama's got you. you're safe."the man groaned behind them, pushing himself to his knees, but he was too weak to fight now. amery could hear his heavy breathing, the sound of his rage simmering beneath the surface.she turned her back to him, cradling maï tightly to her chest. "stay down," she spat, her voice cold. "don't come near us again."for a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of their breathing — hers labored from the fight, maï's soft and fragile as she clung to her mother, trying to make sense of the chaos.and then, the man fell silent.he never moved again.◢◣◥◤◢◣just as amery thought she had a moment to breathe, another shadow moved into her line of sight — the man who had been holding her down. his face twisted in fury, his eyes wild with a mix of rage and greed."i'm not missing out on five million dollars for shit," he snarled, his voice grating with the venom of someone determined to finish what he started. "so you're gonna get the job done, one way or another."amery's heart dropped, her pulse spiking. five million. it was all a setup. her worst fears, confirmed.in a flash, his hand shot out, grabbing her by the arm with brutal strength. she tried to pull away, but his grip was unrelenting. panic surged through her as she realized she was outmatched — not just by him, but by all of them. there were still two more of them, and even though she had fought one off, she was alone. so alone.but then she heard a small voice — a whimper, barely audible through the chaos. maï. amery's stomach churned as she saw her daughter, still on the floor, staring up at her with wide, terrified eyes. she couldn't let this happen. not now.she knew what she had to do.with a surge of adrenaline, amery shoved the man back, the force catching him off guard. her body ached, her legs unsteady, but she had to keep going. she had to make sure maï was safe. "get to the closet, baby," she whispered, voice trembling. "go, now!"with shaking hands, amery grabbed maï, pushing her gently but urgently toward the small closet in the corner of the room. she heard the soft patter of maï's feet as she scurried into the closet, amery's heart breaking for her. she hated that her daughter had to witness this. hated that she couldn't protect her from the world that had come crashing down on them."stay there, maï," she whispered, closing the door behind her. "don't come out until i say so."the soft click of the door closing behind her was the only sound in the room, but the calm was fleeting. amery turned to face the man who had grabbed her, her blood running cold. he was already closing in on her, and she had no time to waste.his hand reached out, fingers curling around her arm like a vice. he pulled her toward him with one forceful yank, and she gasped, her chest tightening. "i'm not gonna play nice with you," he hissed, his breath hot and foul against her skin. "you're gonna get me that money."amery's heart hammered in her chest. she could feel her pulse in her ears, her hands trembling as she searched for something, anything to defend herself with. the pain in her face from the wrench blow still throbbed, but it didn't matter. nothing mattered except getting maï out of here.the man's hand tightened, and he began dragging her toward the back of the room, closer to the hallway. every step she took was a fight, her legs weak and shaking, her mind scrambling for a plan. she couldn't just let him drag her away. she had to think of something. anything.he laughed darkly, his grip tightening as he shoved her toward a wall. "you think this is gonna stop me? you think i'm just gonna let you walk away?"the question made her freeze, just for a split second — but that was all the time she needed.with a primal scream, amery slammed her elbow into his stomach, using every ounce of energy she had left. he stumbled back, caught off guard, and amery lunged for the door, desperation flooding her veins. she had to get to maï. she had to protect her.but before she could reach the door, his hand shot out, grabbing her by the hair, yanking her back with such force that her scalp burned."you're not going anywhere," he growled, his voice thick with malice.amery gasped, pain coursing through her body, but her thoughts were only on maï. get to maï. get her out of here.she twisted in his grip, her fingers clawing at his hand, trying to free herself. she couldn't let him take her. she couldn't let him—"shut up!" the man screamed, his voice high with fury as he shoved her toward the floor. amery's body slammed into the ground, her breath knocked out of her. but she refused to stay down. not for him.her hand found the edge of a table — a heavy, wooden thing. it was all she could reach. she gripped it, using the last of her strength to push herself upright. but as soon as she was on her feet, the man lunged for her again, knocking the table out of her hands and sending it crashing to the floor with a deafening noise."enough of this," he spat, his eyes wild with rage.he reached for her again, but amery was faster this time. she kicked out, her boot connecting with his knee, and he howled in pain. he staggered back, just long enough for amery to break free."no!" she screamed, her voice raw as she threw herself toward the door. "maï, stay in the closet!"the man shouted, fury seeping into his words. but amery didn't hear him anymore. her heart was a drumbeat in her ears, her every move fueled by the desperate need to protect her daughter.◢◣◥◤◢◣the second man's footsteps echoed in the silence that followed the chaos, a slow, methodical rhythm as he made his way toward the closet. amery's heart pounded in her chest as she realized what he was about to do. no, not the closet, she thought frantically, the terror rising in her throat like a sharp, choking scream.but she couldn't move.the first man, the one who had been dragging her around and slamming her into walls, had a death grip on her. his hands were like iron, his fingers digging into her wrists as he yanked her back, holding her in place. she struggled against him, kicking and twisting, but his strength was too much, and every movement only seemed to tighten his hold."let me go," she hissed through gritted teeth, fighting to free herself. but her voice was weak, her breath ragged from the pain and the fear that was creeping under her skin. "don't—don't let him touch her."the second man smirked as he neared the closet, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and malice. he didn't care about the struggle happening right behind him. all he cared about was what lay behind that door — maï.he reached the closet, his hand already resting on the doorknob, and amery's chest tightened. she couldn't let him open it. she couldn't let him hurt her daughter."stay away from her!" amery screamed, her voice raw and desperate, but her body was helpless in the first man's iron grip.the man holding her tightened his hold, pulling her closer, using his body to press her into the ground as if to keep her from moving. his breath was hot and foul against her ear, and the cold edge of a knife pressed against her back as he sneered. "you're not in control here. we are."the second man didn't reply. he simply yanked the closet door open, the hinges squealing in protest, revealing maï, still huddled inside. her wide, frightened eyes met amery's, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow.no, amery thought, her mind frantic. you can't touch her. you can't touch her.but the second man was already reaching in, his hand grasping for maï, a cruel smile twisting his lips as he pulled her out of the closet by her arm. maï yelped, the sound breaking amery's heart, but she was too far away, too trapped, to do anything."you think you can hide her away in here?" the second man sneered, his fingers digging into maï's arm as he held her tightly. "she's coming with me."the sight of maï, helpless in his grasp, broke something inside amery. the fear, the rage, the desperation — it all collided into one raw, uncontrollable force. her body was still pinned to the ground by the first man, but she could feel her muscles straining against the hold, her breath coming in short, frantic bursts."no!" she screamed again, a desperate, guttural cry that echoed off the walls. her mind screamed at her to fight, to do something — anything — but her body felt like it was made of lead.the first man chuckled darkly behind her. "you think you have control over anything? you're nothing."amery twisted against him one last time, using every ounce of strength she had left. and just as the second man was about to drag maï toward the door, amery's foot found something solid — a chair leg. she kicked out with all her might, sending the chair crashing into the second man's side. he staggered back, momentarily losing his grip on maï, and the girl took a shaky step back."run, maï!" amery shouted, her voice trembling with urgency. "run, baby!"but the second man was already recovering, his anger flaring as he lunged toward maï once more, grabbing her by the wrist with terrifying force. "you're not going anywhere," he snarled.maï's eyes welled with tears, her small frame shaking with fear, and for a moment, amery felt like her world was slipping away, like she was watching everything crumble and there was nothing she could do.then, with a burst of adrenaline, amery managed to throw herself sideways, using every ounce of her remaining strength. she slammed her elbow into the first man's gut, knocking him back just enough for her to spring to her feet."maï, run!" she shouted, barely able to breathe as she stumbled forward.maï hesitated for a moment, fear frozen in her eyes, but then, with a final burst of courage, she tore herself free from the second man's grip and sprinted for the door. amery's heart surged as she watched her daughter run, the sound of her footsteps pounding in her ears.but she couldn't focus on maï anymore. not with the men still closing in on her. not with them still here."get back here, bitch!" the second man yelled, his voice thick with rage, but amery had no intention of staying to face him. she had one goal now — keep maï safe.as the first man lunged for her once again, amery swiveled, using all the momentum she had left to slam her elbow into his face. it wasn't enough to stop him, but it was enough to give her a moment's respite.maï had reached the door. she was almost free. and amery would make sure of it.◢◣◥◤◢◣maï's feet pounded against the floor as she sprinted toward the door, her breath coming in quick, ragged gasps. she didn't look back — she couldn't. her legs were shaking, her mind screaming for her to just run, just get out of there.she burst through the door, her small frame barely able to push it open fast enough, and bolted down the steps toward the neighbor's house. she had no idea if her mother was still alive, if the men were chasing her, but she couldn't stop. she couldn't think. she just had to get away.with every breath, with every step, the terror that had gripped her chest only grew, but she couldn't slow down. she wouldn't.her tiny fists pounded on the neighbor's door, her body trembling with fear and adrenaline. she heard voices inside — a man, a woman. they were home."please!" maï cried, her voice barely a whisper as she pounded harder. "please help me! help my mom!"the door swung open, and the man looked down at her, confusion quickly morphing into alarm. "what the hell happened?" he asked, his tone sharp with concern."they—they're after me!" maï gasped. "they were hurting my mom. please, please help us!"without a word, the man grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her inside quickly and slamming the door shut. his wife was already on the phone, calling the police, her voice shaking but urgent as she relayed what was happening.meanwhile, back at the house, the first man, now furious that maï had escaped, turned and lunged for amery again, his rage burning bright. she was barely standing, her body aching from the blows he'd delivered, but she couldn't give in — not when maï was free, not when there was a chance for escape.with every ounce of strength left in her, amery grabbed the nearest vase, her fingers trembling as she lifted it. she swung it at the man's face with all the force she could muster. the vase cracked against his skull with a sickening thud, and for a moment, amery thought she might have won. but it wasn't enough.the man snarled and threw her down with a force that knocked the air from her lungs. he stomped on her chest, and amery gasped for breath, her vision blurring. every hit sent waves of pain through her body, her muscles burning as she struggled to keep consciousness."you think you can stop me, bitch?" the man sneered, his hands tightening around her throat. "you're nothing. you're weak."but just as the man prepared to strike again, there was a sound — the doorbell. and then a loud bang from behind him.the man froze.before he could react, he was kicked hard in the side, sending him crashing to the floor. he howled in pain as the neighbor, a large man, jumped on top of him, pinning him down with surprising strength. the man tried to fight back, but the neighbor was relentless, his weight too much to overcome."stay down!" the neighbor barked, his voice filled with authority. "my wife already called the cops. you're not going anywhere."the first man struggled under the neighbor's hold, but he was too weak, his efforts sluggish. amery, breathless, managed to roll over and crawl to a corner of the room, her body trembling violently, her mind struggling to stay focused."we're going to get you help," the woman said from the phone, her voice shaky but determined. "just stay with us. the police are on their way."amery nodded weakly, unable to speak. her chest heaved with each shallow breath as the adrenaline began to wear off. she could barely keep her eyes open, but she could hear the sound of sirens approaching in the distance.and somewhere far away, she knew maï was safe. and that, for now, was enough.◢◣◥◤◢◣the sterile smell of the hospital filled the air, a reminder of how fragile life was, of how quickly things could turn. amery's head throbbed with an intensity she had never known, and yet she could still feel the weight of her baby girl in her arms. she wasn't sure how long she'd been there, her vision blurry, the pain overwhelming, but she knew one thing: maï was safe.the room was quiet except for the soft hum of machines and the muted sounds of footsteps outside. marielle stood by the door, her eyes heavy with concern, her hand clutched to her chest as she watched amery holding maï. the baby girl, so small and innocent, looked up at her with wide eyes, unaware of the horrors her mother had endured.amery's breath came in uneven gasps, the weight of everything pressing down on her. "marielle," she whispered, her voice rough. "you... you have to... you have to get sayvion. he did this. he set it all up... he—"her words trailed off, a pain seizing her chest as she tightened her grip on maï, her fingers trembling. she fought against the darkness creeping at the edges of her vision, struggling to stay awake, to hold onto her daughter just a little longer."amery, don't say that," marielle said softly, her voice breaking. she took a step toward the bed, her eyes desperate, trying to reassure her. "we'll make sure he pays for this, we'll do it together. you're going to get better. just breathe, okay? breathe for maï."amery's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, the agony of her injuries making it hard to focus. when she opened them again, she could barely see the worried expression on marielle's face, but she could still hear her, her words burning through the fog in amery's mind."i can't... i can't let him get away with it, marielle," amery gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "promise me you'll... you'll get him."tears welled up in marielle's eyes, and for a moment, she couldn't speak. she simply nodded, her heart breaking for the woman who had suffered so much and who was now clinging to the last bit of strength she had left.before marielle could say another word, amery's body stiffened, her breathing labored, and her grip on maï loosened. marielle rushed to her side, calling her name, but it was too late. amery's body seized, the rhythmic pulse of her heart interrupted by a violent convulsion.the room erupted into chaos. the machines beeped rapidly, and marielle screamed for help, her voice cracking as she tried to hold amery's body still, but it was clear: the woman who had fought so hard, who had held onto her daughter despite everything, was slipping away.as the medical team rushed in, marielle backed away, clutching maï close to her chest, unable to tear her eyes away from amery's still form. she could feel the weight of loss settling heavily over her, the world around her blurring as her heart broke. she had promised amery she would protect maï, and now, she was left with that promise, the only thing left to hold onto.and as amery's body fell still, the last breath leaving her, the words she had whispered about sayvion echoed in marielle's mind.they would get him. they had to.◢◣◥◤◢◣maï's sobs echoed through the hospital room, raw and desperate, her tiny body writhing in marielle's arms as she struggled to break free. her small hands reached for amery, the lifeline she had known since the moment she was born. but amery was gone, and maï was left with nothing but the overwhelming emptiness of the moment."mama..." maï cried, her voice broken, the sound of her pain cutting through marielle's heart like a knife. "mama, please, don't leave me..."marielle's throat tightened as she tried to comfort the girl, pressing her to her chest, but it was hard to breathe through the suffocating grief that filled the room. she had promised amery she would protect maï, and now she had to keep that promise—no matter how much it tore her apart.with one arm holding maï tightly, marielle moved as quickly as she could down the sterile white hallways of the hospital. she could feel the weight of the child's grief in her own chest, the force of it threatening to crush her. she didn't know where to take her. she didn't know what to do.but she couldn't just leave her here, not alone, not with everything they'd just been through. maï was just a child, a baby, and the world had already been so cruel to her.as they exited the hospital, the cool night air hit them like a shock, and marielle flinched, her heart pounding in her chest. the city was quiet around them, but the noise inside her head was deafening. the weight of responsibility, of making sure maï was safe, was too much to bear alone.she didn't know where to take her, but there was one thing she knew—she had to get them as far away from this place as possible.the only place marielle could think of was her own home, a small but cozy apartment on the edge of the city, far enough away from the chaos but still close enough to get help if needed. she had to get maï there, had to keep her safe from whatever else might come next.but as marielle rushed through the streets, with maï crying in her arms, the weight of the situation finally hit her. what could she do now? where would they go? how would they survive?"shh, sweetie... it's going to be okay," marielle whispered, trying to calm her. "we're going to be okay. i won't let anything happen to you."but the words felt hollow. how could she promise that when everything had just fallen apart? how could she protect maï from a world that had already shown its cruelty?all she could do was hold her, take her somewhere safe, and try to rebuild the pieces of their shattered lives. for now, that was all she could do.