Little One

9 Years Ago

Sia's POV:

I stared out the window of our tiny, one-bedroom wooden apartment, scanning the streets for any sign of my father.

But he was nowhere to be found.

It was already an hour to midnight, yet he didn't seem to care that he had left his fourteen-year-old daughter alone.

I clenched my fists, wiping away the endless stream of tears rolling down my cheeks.

If mother hadn't left, he wouldn't have been this broken.

He wouldn't have lost his mind.

"Sia!"

I heard Jules call from outside.

I hurried to the door just as she grabbed my hand, dragging me down the old wooden stairs.

"Hurry up—it's your dad!"

My heart pounded.

"What happened to him?"I asked breathlessly, but Jules didn't stop to answer.

She kept pulling me down the street until we reached the bar, where a crowd had gathered.

My eyes widened in horror as I saw several men holding my father down.

His face was pale.

"Hallo! Was machen Sie?!"I yelled, running toward them.

But before I could get close, someone shoved me aside.

I watched helplessly as they beat my father, their fists landing on him like he was nothing more than a common thief.

"Lass ihn!"

I kept screaming, my voice hoarse, but they didn't stop.

They didn't even acknowledge me.

Minutes passed before they finally pushed him to the ground and walked away.

Jules crouched beside him immediately.

Meanwhile, I stood frozen, my fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

How could they do this?

How could they treat him like this?

My father coughed weakly, a forced chuckle escaping his lips.

"I… I'm fine, princess. Let's go home."

He struggled to stand, throwing a fake smile my way.

Jules shook her head. "You're hurt, Uncle. We should take you to the hospital."

But my father waved her off.

"You should go back to the orphanage, dear. Why are you out this late?"

Jules hesitated before walking toward me and pulling me into a tight hug.

"He's fine, Sia. Don't worry too much, okay? I really have to go."

She gave me a small wave before hurrying off.

Father finally managed to get on his feet and reached for my hand.

"Let's go home, Sia."

But I took a step back, clenching my fists.

I glared at him, my voice quiet but firm.

"You'll all regret this."

Then I turned and walked away, ignoring his desperate calls.

—

After walking for a while, I arrived at the police station.

A group of young officers stood outside, cracking jokes among themselves.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.

"Excuse me."

They all turned to look at me.

One of them raised a brow. "Kid, what are you doing here?"

I sighed heavily.

"I want to file a case."

They laughed.

"Where are your parents? It's late—you should be home."

Their accents were off.

They weren't German.

That meant they were probably foreign recruits.

I crossed my arms. "Shouldn't you be home as well?"

The officer's jaw tightened. "You—"

Before he could finish, another officer stepped forward.

He was taller than the rest, his fair skin illuminated by the dim station lights.

His hair was cropped short, and his features were sharp.

But what struck me the most—

Was his voice.

It was the smoothest thing I'd ever heard.

"How old are you?" he asked.

I blinked, momentarily dazed.

He snapped his fingers. "Little one?"

I quickly shook my head, snapping out of it.

"I just want to file a case, then I'll be on my way home."

He nodded before turning his back on me.

"Follow me."

I obeyed, trailing behind him until we reached the station.

He took a seat and gestured for me to do the same.

"You see, we're just interns—not exactly experts at this job. So, I hope you don't mind that an intern will be handling your case?"

I frowned.

This was serious.

How could an intern handle it?

"Aren't you a little too young to be doing this?" I asked suspiciously.

He smirked slightly before picking up a pen.

"Go on. What's your case about?"

I hesitated but realized I had no choice.

He was the only one willing to listen.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke.

"I want to open a case against Mira Schneider."

He nodded, jotting down the name.

I continued.

"She abandoned her daughter and husband after meeting a rich Asian man."

The officer leaned back in his chair.

"What's the daughter's name? And how old is she?"

My throat tightened.

"Sia Schneider. She's fourteen."

A single tear escaped, but I quickly wiped it away.

"I want her behind bars. I want her locked up."

He studied me for a moment before speaking.

"Do you want some advice, kid?"

I didn't respond.

I just wanted my mother in prison.

I had cried and begged her not to leave.

But she hadn't cared.

She was obsessed with luxury—so much so that she abandoned her own family without a second thought.

His voice broke through my thoughts.

"If your mother is locked up, she could be bailed out the next day. And she still wouldn't learn her lesson."

I frowned. "Then what do you suggest?"

He smirked.

"Make her regret leaving."

I blinked in confusion.

"Be great. Be successful. Make your name a household gossip. Then, she will come crawling back—begging for your attention."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Instead of sulking and looking desperate, why don't you work hard?"

I shot up from my chair, scoffing.

"I knew it was a mistake talking to an intern."

But he only smiled.

"Come on, little one. I know a star when I see one."

His piercing gaze locked onto mine.

"You're smart. You're bold. I'd bet anything that in ten years, you'll be famous. You'll make your mother regret everything."

I clenched my fists.

"What kind of mother abandons her child? I want her punished—now."

He sighed, picking up the documents I had angrily shoved aside.

"And then what? You get taken by child support? You end up in an orphanage?"

I stiffened.

Jules lived in an orphanage

And she hated that place.

She had no freedom.

I couldn't go there.

His smirk returned.

"Come on, Sia. Let me hear your name in ten years."

Tears burned my eyes, but I wiped them away.

My voice was steady as I declared—

"It's Sia Schneider. Don't forget it. I will be a star. I will be bigger than Mira. And she will beg for my attention."

His eyes gleamed with approval. "I'll be waiting."

I turned to leave but then paused at the door.

"How long is your internship?"

"One month. After that, I leave Germany."

I chuckled.

"Is it okay if I stop by to talk? I like how you keep the fire in me burning."

He grinned.

"I'm here every night, little one. Stop by anytime."

I waved at him before stepping out.

I was definitely coming back tomorrow.