Chapter 1

My wife threw our daughter onto an explosive movie set, causing her horrific death.

All because her first love said:

"If this movie wins an award, I'll definitely marry you."

Afterward, she mocked me for being petty.

"We can always have another kid! Landon is retiring after this year!"

"Helping him win is our honor! Why can't you ever understand me?"

I finally woke up from the nightmare and dragged them both to court.

Since they loved each other so much, I decided to send her to prison to be his devoted little wife.

1

On the thirteenth day of the cold war between Vivian and me, she took our daughter away, leaving behind only a short note.

"I'm taking Annie to film a movie for a few days. Do not disturb!"

I looked around the room, meeting the eyes of Landon Drake on a promotional poster, and broke out in a cold sweat.

Landon was Vivian's first love, a washed-up director who churned out cheap, low-budget indie flicks.

His latest project was a historical war drama packed with dangerous explosive stunts!

I sprinted toward the film set without wasting a second.

Before I could even reach the perimeter, a series of muffled booms echoed through the air, followed by piercing shrieks.

My head buzzed, and I froze in place as a chilling dread washed over me from head to toe.

A suffocating, acrid smell filled the air.

The scene was total chaos. Crew members carrying cameras and costumes were running in all directions amid screams and cries.

"Run! Get out of here!"

"It blew up! Move!"

"What the hell are you doing running inside? Young man, are you crazy? You're going to die!"

As they shouted, another massive explosion tore through the area.

Plumes of thick black smoke billowed upward, sending shrapnel, rocks, and wood splinters flying everywhere.

Dozens of people poured out, and I pushed through the crowd, desperately searching for Vivian and Annie.

Someone yelled, "The director is out!"

That was when I saw Vivian, her delicate face coated in a layer of soot. She was clinging tightly to Landon's side, practically trying to pull his entire body into her arms.

"Where is Annie? Why are you the only one out here? Where is she!"

I grabbed her arm and closed in on her.

"Answer me! Are you mute!"

Vivian's beautiful eyes were filled with panic. Coming to her senses, she tugged Landon's sleeve frantically.

"Landon, how are you? Are you hurt?"

Her high-pitched voice nearly broke.

"Annie! I... I don't know where she went. Didn't she run out?"

"Don't go in! Seth, it's dangerous in there!"

I stared at the dying fireball in the distance, my hands and feet freezing as my heart leaped into my throat.

"Annie! Annie! Where are you? Daddy is here!"

"Annie, answer me! Please don't scare Daddy!"

A scorching wave of heat hit me like a wall. Looking through the haze, I couldn't see a single soul.

The thick smoke stung my eyes and choked my lungs, making it harder and harder to breathe.

I couldn't imagine the sheer terror a five-year-old child must have felt in the middle of such a disaster.

"Annie! Speak to me!"

"Daddy... Daddy..."

I whipped around and saw Annie curled up like a small hedgehog inside a sand pit. She was trembling violently, letting out involuntary whimpers.

Her face was covered in blood. Licking flames crawled over the tips of her shoes, slowly creeping upward.

"Annie, don't be scared. Don't go to sleep. Daddy is here to save you!"

My hands shook uncontrollably as cold sweat drenched my back.

By the time I carried Annie out, Vivian had finally walked over, though she stayed safely on the perimeter.

She waved her hand at me, her face tight with annoyance.

"Annie Campbell, you just got caught in a little blast. Stop playing dead, or I swear I'll beat you!"

Landon stood by her side, his arm wrapped around Vivian's slender waist. He had already changed into a fresh set of clothes.

At that moment, Annie furrowed her brow, her lips trembling weakly.

"Mommy... I'm sorry. I don't want to act anymore."