Chapter 2

The phone went silent for a few seconds.

Then, my mom's voice returned, slow and defensive.

"Mr. Vance, you’ve misunderstood. Chloe has had a weak stomach since she was born. She is severely allergic to animal protein. If she eats even a bite of meat, she breaks out in hives and gets a high fever."

"We are using a natural, holistic therapy to heal her body."

"You're a wealthy businessman, Mr. Vance. You don't understand the heart of a parent. We spend thousands of dollars buying the highest-quality organic vegetables just to keep her alive."

"By forcing her to eat meat, you are practically killing her! If anything happens to Chloe, our family is ruined!"

Another voice joined in. It was my dad.

"Mr. Vance, we signed a contract. Chloe is our daughter, and we have the right to terminate the filming right now. Please do not interfere with our family matters."

I gently tugged at Alex’s sleeve, whispering, "Uncle Alex, Mom is right. I can't eat meat. I'll die."

"Please let me go home. I want my detox tea."

Alex looked down at me, his gaze landing on my bare arm.

He reached down and rolled up my sleeve, revealing a wrist so thin it looked like a twig.

The skin was completely smooth. Not a single red bump.

"You just ate a lamb chop. Do you feel itchy? Do you feel hot?"

I froze.

I touched my stomach. It felt warm and full.

No hives, no fever, and even the dull stomach ache I usually had every single day was gone.

How was this possible?

Mom had always told me that if I touched meat, my skin would rot.

I didn't know what to say.

Alex spoke back into the phone. "Mr. and Mrs. Miller, the contract clearly states that the production crew bears primary responsibility for the safety of the children on set."

"Right now, I have strong reasons to suspect child abuse. Until I have a legally binding medical evaluation, nobody is taking her."

Without waiting for a reply, he hung up.

The director’s knees looked like they were about to buckle.

"Mr. Vance! This is illegal detention! The public is already siding with the parents! They're accusing us of exploiting a vegetarian child for views and restricting her freedom!"

Alex tossed the phone back to him.

"Then let them talk. Tell the PR department to redirect the live stream to my car.”

“Keep the cameras rolling. I want the whole country to see who's going to be ruined when the medical report comes out."

Alex bent down and wrapped his oversized black jacket around my tiny body.

His movements were swift, but surprisingly gentle.

As he lifted me into his arms, I caught the faint, refreshing scent of mint on his jacket.

"Uncle Alex, where are we going?"

Alex carried me out of the tent with long, steady strides. "To the real world."

The wind outside was howling.

He placed me into the back seat of a sleek, black SUV.

The heater was running, and an assistant in the passenger seat handed me a warm cup of strawberry milk.

I stared at the pink liquid, swallowing hard, but I didn't dare to take it.

"This is trash too. If an angel drinks this, her wings won't grow."

Alex sat down next to me and let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Who told you drinking milk stops wings from growing?"

"Dad did."

Alex popped the straw into the cup and placed it directly in my hand.

"Your dad lied to you. Angels need milk to make their bones strong. That's the only way they can fly high."

The strawberry milk smelled so sweet, and the cup was so warm against my cold hands.

I couldn't help myself. I took a sip.

The sugary, creamy strawberry flavor slid down my throat.

Before I knew it, I had gulped down half the cup.

But as soon as I stopped, reality hit me. Lamb and milk... these were the exact things my parents had forbidden me from touching.

I was a bad girl. I had broken the rules again.

Would Mom ever forgive me?

I wanted to go home, but looking at Alex’s serious face, I bit my lip and lowered my head.