For a full week, Jagger never set foot in the apartment, nor did he offer a single word of explanation.

"Mamma, with this paper, does it mean we don't have to live like this anymore?"

Ronan sat on a pile of old newspapers, clutching a copy of the marriage annulment agreement.

I knelt and met his eager eyes. "Yes, baby. We’re going to leave this place and start a new, honest life."

Ronan nodded forcefully.

I watched their lives through the underworld's information network.

In the photos, Jagger was fishing with Rocco on a private yacht, cutting a steak for Lilith in a Michelin-starred restaurant, and swiping his black card without a second thought on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

That fatherly smile he showed Rocco… if only he could spare Ronan a fraction of it, my son wouldn't cry out for "Papa" in his dreams.

But now, he was giving all his love and power to others.

I scrolled through the screen, each image a fresh cut to my heart.

Five years ago, we didn’t even have a proper ceremony; we just had hot dogs from a street vendor to celebrate.

To help him pay off his supposed "blood debt," I worked the most dangerous jobs, not even daring to go to an underground clinic when I got hurt.

Five-year-old Ronan had to walk miles to the community school because we couldn't afford the bus fare, and he was always bullied for it.

We gave everything for him, while he was busy showering another woman with gifts.

The irony was crushing.

Jagger finally returned on the morning of the tenth day.

The rusty iron door creaked open. He stood in the entryway, ordering me with an air of entitlement, "Get Ronan dressed in something decent. I'm taking him out."

I was stunned, my hand freezing mid-air as I washed dishes.

He had never taken Ronan out.

Why the sudden change of heart?

"No need," I refused coldly. "We don't need your charity."

Jagger's face darkened with impatience. "What do you know? I pulled some strings to get him a spot in a 'family trial.' It's a recognition of his bloodline, an honor other kids would beg for. Don't let your ignorance ruin our son's future!"

I was about to argue when a heavy knock sounded at the door.

It was the gangsters from downstairs, here for this month's protection money.

Jagger frowned and glanced at the door. "Don't let these lowlifes compromise our son's future."

I didn't want him to know I planned to leave for good, so I just gave a noncommittal reply. "They're just here to collect their cut."

Jagger checked his watch and urged, "You deal with them. I'll fix Ronan's bow tie."

I hesitated. Watching him kneel and clumsily adjust our son's collar, I remembered he was still Ronan's father. A few minutes alone with the child couldn't hurt.

So, I dried my hands and went out.

I was in no mood to haggle with the thugs, so after paying them off, I pushed open the door to our apartment.

The silence that greeted me was eerie.

Jagger and Ronan were gone.

A cold dread gripped my throat. I bolted from the apartment, running through the streets like a madwoman.

A young thug on the corner told me he saw them get into a black luxury car, muttering something about a "warrior's trial."

A trial?

I didn't believe for a second that Jagger would be so kind.

With trembling hands, I opened the location app on my phone. I’d saved for three months to buy Ronan a cheap watch with a tracker, just in case.

The red dot on the screen was moving toward the abandoned industrial park on the outskirts of the city, finally stopping at a deserted factory.

That wasn't the family chapel.

I hailed a gypsy cab and practically screamed at the driver to floor it.

An hour later, I stumbled into the factory, which was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence.

I followed the sounds to the second floor. Outside a room converted into an underground fighting ring, I heard Jagger on the phone.

"This is what you call a family trial? Why is he fighting that brute of a kid?"

Then Lilith's voice purred through the phone: "Jagger, I had to pull a lot of strings to get the organizers to let Ronan fight. But I heard his opponent is a juvenile delinquent who doesn't hold back... Rocco is so delicate, I'm afraid he'll get hurt. Why don't we let Ronan test the waters first?"

Lilith paused, then continued, "After all, Ronan is your son. I can't bear to see him remain so mediocre."

Jagger hesitated, his voice laced with doubt. "The opponent is strong? Is it dangerous?"

"Oh, darling, don't you trust me?" Lilith's voice was sickly sweet, dripping with manipulation. "Winning this fight will earn him the family's recognition! Look at how frail Ronan is... he's hardly a fitting heir for you. This is the only way for him to show the courage of the Corbin bloodline, the only way to be truly accepted. I'm doing this for you, to save your face with the family. If—and I mean if—he gets a little hurt, it's a warrior's badge of honor. Besides, what could possibly happen?"

Jagger was silent for a moment. He glanced at Ronan, who was being pushed toward the ring, his eyes wide with terror. In the end, he caved.

He said in a low voice, "Alright. Lilith, you're always so thoughtful. I'll slip the man in charge more money. If this can make a name for him, it's worth the risk. I'm his father; I'll make the decision."

The teenager, a full head taller than Ronan, was about to throw a fatal punch.

I finally saw the truth. Jagger hadn't come home for me, or for Ronan.

It was Lilith, that venomous woman! She was afraid of her own son getting hurt, so she snatched my Ronan to be her goddamn stepping stone!

And Jagger, his own father, just to let his son display some so-called "courage"—and not to disappoint his "true love"—had condoned this bloody, potentially fatal fight.

I rushed forward and shoved aside the referee. "Jagger! Are you insane? Lilith is gambling with Ronan's life! I don't agree! What right do you have to let him fight?!"

Jagger spun around. When he saw me, his brow furrowed, his eyes flashing with the irritation of being interrupted. "Serafina? What's this tantrum? Get a grip. Lilith pulled strings and spent a fortune to get him this shot. Other kids would kill for this opportunity, so stop being so ungrateful!"

He continued with a cold smile, "If you hadn't raised Ronan to be so scrawny and timid, we wouldn't have had to trouble Lilith. You should be thanking her. When did you become so inconsiderate?"

"Kill for it?" I gestured wildly at my son, his face pale and his body trembling, tears streaming down my own face. "Open your eyes! She said on the phone that his opponent is a psycho! She's afraid something will happen to Rocco, so she's using our son as a shield! Five years, Jagger! You never took him to an amusement park, never bought him a single toy. And the first time you show up, it's to use his life to pave the way for that woman's son?"

I tried to stop them again, but Jagger roughly pushed me aside. "Enough! You ignorant shrew!"

His gaze was icy, as if I were trash. "Lilith said that although the opponent is fierce, if Ronan can last three minutes, he'll win everyone's respect! The heir of the Corbin family must be a warrior. Why can't you understand that?"

"I don't want your 'warrior'!" I screamed hysterically, lunging toward the ring. "We're going home! Don't touch my son!"

Just then, the bell rang.

The opponent charged like a wild animal. Ronan had no time to react and was sent flying by a punch, crashing heavily against the ropes with a sickening thud.

Foam began to bubble at the corners of Ronan's mouth. His small face, already contorted with fear, turned deathly pale, and his body slumped to the ground like a broken puppet.

Panic finally seized Jagger. He grabbed his phone and dialed. "Lilith! What's going on? Ronan passed out!"

After a quick diagnosis, the ringside doctor said anxiously, "His ribs are broken, one having punctured his lung. Severe internal bleeding. He needs surgery immediately, or he'll go into cardiac arrest! We need a massive transfusion of O-negative blood to keep him alive! But this is an underground ring, the blood bank is empty..."

Jagger's gaze locked on me. He knew. I was a rare O-negative.

"Serafina," he strode over, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Save our son. Now."

I didn't have to think. To save Ronan, I rolled up my sleeve without hesitation. "Quick! Take mine! Take as much as you need, just save him!"

The blood bag slowly filled. Ronan's lifeline.

However, before the blood could be transfused, a piercing scream came from Lilith in the VIP section. "Help! Jagger! Someone! Rocco has fainted!"

Jagger's face changed instantly. He abandoned us and rushed out.

A few seconds later, he returned, his expression terrifyingly grim.

"Take the blood," he said, pointing to the warm bag of life just drawn from my body, his voice hard. "Send it next door to Rocco."

I felt like I had been struck by lightning, unable to believe my ears.

"What did you say?" I clutched the blood bag, dizzy from the blood loss. "This is for Ronan! He's about to go into shock!"

"Rocco was frightened and is having heart problems, he needs a transfusion, too!" Jagger avoided my eyes, gritting his teeth. "His condition is more delicate. A second's delay could leave lasting damage. Ronan just has some external injuries. Lilith said a shot of adrenaline will be enough for him!"

I screamed like a madwoman, "Jagger, Ronan is your own flesh and blood! You'll kill him!"

"Isn't Rocco's life worth saving?!" Jagger roared, turning on me. "I can't just stand by while he's in danger! When did you become so damn cold-blooded?" He then barked at his men, "What are you standing there for? Grab it!"

"No! Jagger! You bastard!"

I struggled desperately, but his men roughly pinned me to the chair. I watched helplessly as the blood was taken away.

Once the blood was drawn, they all abandoned us. They left my Ronan to die, his small body shivering alone on the cold ground as his life faded away.

Just as I was on the verge of complete despair, I suddenly thought of Killian, the man from the club.

He was powerful. He might be the only one who could get the best doctors to save Ronan.

I didn't know why he would help me, but I couldn't afford to care.

I took out the chip he had given me and sent a text to the contact number on it: I need your help.

But before I could send the message, "Mamma..." a weak, hoarse voice interrupted me.

It was Ronan.

His small body was curled up under a worn-out blanket, his face as pale as paper. There was no one else around, but he was alive.

I ignored the IV needle still in my arm and stumbled over to hold him, tears instantly streaming down my face. "I'm sorry... Ronan, I'm sorry... Mamma is useless. I couldn't protect you..."

Ronan laboriously raised his small hand to wipe away my tears. Despite the pain, he tried to be strong. "Mamma, it doesn't hurt anymore. Really."

The more understanding he was, the more my heart felt like it was being sliced apart.

"As soon as you're patched up, we're leaving," I said through gritted teeth. "We're leaving immediately."

Ronan nodded forcefully, burying his face in my chest, his voice muffled. "Okay. Mamma, I don't want Papa anymore."

"In three days," I said, my eyes filled with an unprecedented determination, "as long as we can leave this place, anywhere will do."

Before I could finish, the door was pushed open.

Jagger stood at the entrance, his face etched with impatience. "Leave? Where do you think you can go?"