After my parents died unexpectedly , I was adopted by Gary Hall , my father's friend . Gary was ten years older than me and insisted I call him Uncle Gary . Later , when I drunkenly confessed my feelings to him , he recoiled in disgust and forced me into mar- riage . As my husband beat me near death , I still dialed Gary's number . " Uncle Gary , I'm dying . Could you take in my three - year - old daughter like you once took me in ? " Knowing death approached , I didn't call emergency services but rang Uncle Gary instead . The ringtone echoed around the basement several times before his voice finally came through . " What is it ? " Gary's tone remained icy , his dislike for me unchanged . Clutching my bleeding abdomen , I fought to stay conscious . " Uncle Gary , I'm dying . Please ... take my daughter Sweetie under your wing ? " Sweetie was only three , while her father Victor Walker was a paranoid madman who relished violence . I couldn't bear imagining how my poor child would survive after I was gone . Desperation choked my plea . " Uncle Gary , I was wrong . " " I'll never love you again . Just save my daughter - please ? " " Sweetie's running a fever . Victor locked us in the basement . He doesn't care if we live or die . I hid my phone just to call you- " " Finished ? " 0.0 % 09:49 Chapter 1 Gary still didn't believe me . " Jessica Taylor , you've threatened suicide dozens of times in five years of marriage . Still acting ? " " Gary , ready yet ? Help me with the wedding dress ! " Another woman's cheerful voice cut through the line - familiar . Ashley Martinez . My college roommate . My former best friend . They got together the day after I confessed to Gary . Gary's warning came sharp . " Jessica , Ashley and I are marrying tomorrow . Stay with Victor . " " Stop calling . " Ashley chimed in , dripping with concern . 788 ( VuVeraS " Kimberly Taylor , five years married to Victor , yet you only call his brother to complain about divorce or beatings . " " All Helena knows Victor's loved you since high school . " " When you caught fever , he had every doctor in town treat you at home . " " When pregnancy cravings hit , he bought a plum orchard so you'd have plums in winter . " " No one loves you more . These lies will break his heart . " But I wasn't lying . I want to beg Gary one last time . But I can't speak anymore - my blood seems to have run dry . The call ends abruptly , severing my final thread of hope . I regret it so deeply . If only I had never fallen for Gary . 29.3 % 09:50 Chapter 1 288 Vouchery Adopted by him at fourteen , he treated me well - granted my every wish . But after I confessed my feelings on my twentieth birthday , he refused to see me and married me off to Victor . Victor was a monster , hitting me when he was happy , hitting me when he was unhappy . At first , I begged Gary for help and called the police . But Victor was cunning . The police believed his loving act , deciding I'd faked my injuries to frame him . Later , when I had my baby , Victor threatened her life . I stopped calling the police . I stopped begging Gary . With every beating , pain seized me - every inch of my skin twitching . Severe depression consumed me ; only my baby's smile kept me alive , teetering on the edge of a cliff , staring into the abyss . Wanting to jump , yet afraid to . Finally , drunk Victor stabbed my heart with a bottle . I was dying . But if I died ... what would happen to my baby ? She's only three . So small . " Mommy ... " My baby's voice called ! Summoning my last strength , I crawled toward her . Her tiny body curled in the corner , cheeks burning crimson . " Baby ! " I reached to hold her , but my hand passed right through hers . Under the dim basement light , I cast no shadow . So ... I was already dead . " What should I do , my baby ? How can mommy save you ? " I wanted to cry so badly , but a soul has no tears . 56.0 % 09:49 Chapter ! 11 288 Mothers Listening to my baby , in a deep sleep , calling out for mommy again and again . My heart was breaking with sorrow . At that moment , I heard the sound of a car horn outside . I rushed out of the basement . No matter what , I had to save my baby . My soul passed through the basement's heavy door , and I dashed to the front gate of the country estate . Right then , I saw a Maybach parked at the gate , and someone was getting out of the car . " Help ! Please , someone kind , come quickly and help ! " I wanted to rush out the door , but just then , my eyes met the car owner's . The person coming was Gary . 86.2 % It was when everything was almost over, that the billionaire told me that she found me looked familiar at first sight! Right after I got into a top college, my mom passed away because of severe illnes...