My parents raised me as a maid for 27 years and they didn't even invite me to my brother's wedding: "Get on black and help the staff," my mother ordered. I silently obeyed, until the bride's father saw my face, dropped his glass and asked me a question that terrified my entire family.

Richard pumped the rifle, the mechanical click sounding like a death sentence in the silent woods.

"I have spent my entire life building the Sterling name, and I will not let a maid destroy it," Richard sneered.

Alexander stepped boldly in front of me and Renata, shielding us with his own body.

"You are a pathetic coward, Richard," Alexander shouted angrily.

"I am a survivor, Alexander, and tonight you all unfortunately perished in a tragic hunting accident," Richard replied.

He raised the rifle and aimed it squarely at Alexander's chest.

I refused to let another member of my real family die because of the Sterlings.

I scooped up a massive, heavy rock from the dirt beside my knees.

With every ounce of adrenaline left in my body, I hurled the rock directly at Richard's face.

The heavy stone struck him hard in the temple just as he pulled the trigger.

The rifle fired wildly into the night sky, completely missing Alexander.

Richard stumbled backward, dropping the weapon as blood poured down his face.

Alexander instantly charged forward and tackled Richard forcefully to the ground.

"Get the documents from the study, Mariana," Alexander yelled as he struggled with the wealthy patriarch.

I did not hesitate for a single second.

I sprinted back through the woods and burst into the chaotic mansion.

Beatrice was sobbing hysterically on the floor of the foyer, completely ignoring me.

I ran past her and sprinted up the stairs to Richard's private study.

I threw the heavy oil painting to the floor, exposing the sleek metal safe.

I used the emergency master code I had accidentally memorized years ago while cleaning.

The safe beeped perfectly and popped open.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

Inside, I found a thick red folder labeled with my biological mother's name.

Just as I grabbed the folder, I heard the distinctive sound of a gun cocking right behind my head.

Chapter 7 - The Bloody Struggle