dunamis21

Hope Calloway was just a little girl when billionaire Richard Calloway found her abandoned at a church. Clinging to his leg, she melted his heart, and without hesitation, he took her home and adopted her as his own. For years, she lived in a world of love and privilege, embraced by her new family.

But happiness is fragile.

As Hope grows older, Richard’s wife, Victoria, begins to see her as a threat an outsider who doesn’t belong. The once loving home turns into a silent battlefield, with Victoria pulling every string to make Hope’s life unbearable. But Hope refuses to break.

When whispers of a hidden inheritance and a buried family secret surface, the battle for her place in the Calloway family escalates. Hope fights not only for her right to stay but also for the truth about her past. When she discovers that Victoria might have played a role in her mother’s disappearance, her mission changes this is no longer just about belonging. It’s about justice.

With betrayal lurking at every corner, Hope must decide: Will she rise above the pain, or will she let life’s cruel bite consume her?

When Life Bites

Hope's hands tightened into fists as she stood outside Victoria's room.

She had spent years avoiding fights, walking on eggshells to keep the peace. But now, after Richard's revelation about her mother, she wouldn't stay silent any longer.

She pushed open the door without knocking.

Victoria, dressed in an elegant silk robe, looked up from her vanity mirror with a raised eyebrow. "Bold of you to barge in."

Hope ignored the taunt. "Where is she?"

Victoria sighed, tapping her manicured fingers against the glass perfume bottle on her table. "You'll have to be more specific, dear."

"My mother," Hope spat. "What did you do to her?"

For the first time, Victoria's expression faltered.

Hope stepped closer. "Richard told me everything. You were involved in something dangerous. And somehow, my mother got caught in it."

Victoria's lips twitched into a smirk. "And you believed him?" She let out a soft laugh. "That's adorable."

Hope clenched her fists. "Stop lying."

Victoria stood, slowly circling Hope like a predator. "Let's say I do know something about your mother's disappearance. What do you think you can do about it?"

Hope lifted her chin. "I'm not afraid of you anymore."

Victoria's smile widened. "Oh, you should be."

Hope barely had time to react before Victoria slapped her across the face.

The force of it stunned her, but she refused to back down. She met Victoria's cold eyes with a burning fire of her own.

Victoria tilted her head. "You want the truth? Fine. Your mother was a liability. She got in the way, and I handled it."

Hope's heart pounded. "What do you mean handled it?"

Victoria leaned in close. "Let's just say… some people disappear and never come back."

But before she could demand more answers, Victoria stepped back, smoothing her robe. "You should learn your place, Hope. If you keep digging, you might end up just like her."

Hope felt a wave of fury rise inside her, but before she could respond, Victoria walked away.

Richard's Discovery

Meanwhile, Richard sat in his study, flipping through an old file.

He had spent years protecting Hope from the truth, but now, he had no choice but to uncover everything.

His hands trembled as he reached a hidden document tucked away in the back of the file. It was a contract signed by Victoria.

And beside her signature was the name of a dangerous man from his past.

If this was true, then Victoria hadn't just been involved in his business affairs she had been working with someone deadly.

Hope's mother's name was mentioned in the contract.

Richard's grip tightened. He had let this go on for too long.

Victoria's Next Move

Victoria poured herself a glass of wine, reclining in her private lounge.

She had let Hope live under her roof for too long. The girl was becoming too bold too dangerous.

It was time to put an end to her rebellion.

She reached for her phone and dialed a number.

"She's getting too close. Take care of it."

A voice on the other end chuckled. "Consider it done."

By the time Hope realized what was coming, it would be too late.

Chapter 10: The Confrontation