Chapter 1

Julian was obsessed with me to the core; he had a miniature bio-chip implanted in the bone of my left ring finger.

If I moved more than a thousand meters away from him, or if my heart rate exceeded 120 beats per minute, he would drag me back to that pristine white cage like a madman.

Everyone in New York envied me, a golden canary pampered in Julian's clutches. But no one knew that to truly trap me, he had personally cut off my brother's life-saving bone marrow supply.

He thought that by breaking my wings, I would forever be subjugated to him.

But he forgot, a golden canary, pushed to its limits, will also peck out its owner's eyes, and tear them apart.

In the VIP lounge of a top-tier charity gala, the air conditioning was set impossibly low.

I was wearing a red velvet backless gown, my back already drenched in cold sweat. Deep in the bone of my left ring finger, the miniature bio-chip pulsed with a sharp, piercing pain as my heart beat too fast.

It was a warning, a ticking time bomb.

Bang!

The heavy wooden door was locked from the inside. Before I could even turn around, a large hand clamped down on the back of my neck. The immense force, radiating a destructive pressure, slammed me against the dressing mirror.

In the mirror, Julian stood impeccably dressed in a suit, exuding an aura of controlled power. But his eyes were as sinister as a viper eyeing its prey.

"Just now, by the exhibition stand, that man's coat brushed your left shoulder," Julian murmured, his voice so gentle it could drip, yet imbued with an icy chill. "In that exact second, your heart rate shot up to one hundred and thirty. Mia, were you feeling something for another man, or were you signaling for help?"

"I wasn't, I just bumped into him by accident," my voice trembled as I frantically shook my head.

Julian didn't listen. He scoffed, tearing off his silk tie with one hand.

"Julian, don't do this. There are people outside."

My plea was roughly cut off. Julian used the tie to tightly bind my wrists, tying me to the back of the chair. The silk dug into my pale skin, instantly leaving glaring red marks.

He turned to the bar, grabbed a bottle of high-proof liquor, and pulled out a handful of rough medical cotton balls.

"Things that get dirty need to be cleaned."

Julian walked back, ruthlessly tearing open the red velvet over my left shoulder. My rounded shoulder was instantly exposed to the cold air. He twisted open the bottle, pouring the stinging liquor directly onto the cotton balls.

A pungent smell of alcohol permeated the air. The next second, the rough cotton ball was pressed firmly against my left shoulder.

"Ah!"

I cried out in pain. Julian's hand didn't stop, like a madman in the throes of OCD, he scrubbed with all his might, repeatedly, at that patch of skin. The rough cotton ball, mixed with the liquor, scraped away my delicate epidermis like sandpaper.

"It hurts! Julian, I'm hurting! Please, stop scrubbing!"

Tears streamed down my face, and I struggled violently in the chair. The chip in my left ring finger, due to my accelerated heart rate, released an even stronger electrical current. The double torment pushed me to the brink of fainting.

Julian ignored me. He stared intently at my skin, pressing harder and harder. Until my pale shoulder was scrubbed red and raw, oozing glaring blood. Crimson streaks flowed down my arm, dripping into the red velvet, blending seamlessly.

Only then did Julian stop.

He tossed away the blood-stained cotton ball, and with alcohol-scented fingers, gently stroked the bruised and bleeding wound.

"See, now it's clean." He smiled, satisfied, then leaned down and pressed a kiss on the edge of the wound.

I spasmed from the pain, gasping for breath. I lowered my head, biting my lower lip hard, not daring to make another sound. I knew too well that resistance would only invite more sadistic torment.

Julian straightened up, pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from inside his suit jacket, and tossed it lightly onto the dressing table.

It was the ICU bill from New York's best hospital.

"Ethan's bone marrow match, I've had it intercepted overseas." Julian reached out and pinched my chin, forcing me to look up. "Stay by my side, be the good little canary you're supposed to be. As long as you're obedient, your brother will live. If you dare to harbor any improper thoughts again."

His fingers tightened abruptly, knuckles turning white.

"I'll immediately cut off his ventilator, and make sure he has a very ugly death."

I looked at this man in the mirror, towering, controlling everything. Tears flowed down my pale cheeks, and I trembled as I nodded, my voice fragmented yet utterly submissive.

"I understand. I'll be obedient."

Julian released my chin, satisfied, then untied the silk from my wrists and gently tidied my messy hair.

"That's right. There's a cocktail party tonight, come with me."

Julian turned and walked into the bathroom to wash his hands.

Listening to the rushing water, I slowly raised my head.

In the mirror, the fragile, fearful canary had vanished.

I stared at the fresh blood on my shoulder, my downcast eyes no longer holding fear.

Instead, there was a boiling intent to kill!