Chapter 1

Tags: Trapped on the road, survival rations stolen, playing favorites with the first love, forced choice

On the drive home for Christmas, a massive landslide blocked the highway tunnel.

Several of our cars traveling together were trapped inside.

To suck up to his first love, my husband actually gave away the very last self-heating meal kit in my car to her.

"Mia has a delicate constitution; she can't go hungry. Search and rescue will be here soon anyway."

I clutched the food to my chest with all my might, screaming in utter disbelief, "Are you out of your mind?! Me and our child will starve to death!"

My husband merely sneered with callous indifference. "You two are thick-skinned and tough. What's wrong with skipping one meal? Stop being so damn selfish."

His first love, Mia, leaned into his chest, playing the delicate victim. "It's fine, darling. If she doesn't want to share, forget it..."

My husband couldn't stand seeing Mia look pitiful. Not only did he hand the meal kit to her, but he also snatched away the only carton of milk my daughter was holding.

That carton of milk was Nia's very last ration.

When Brandon reached out his hand, he didn't hesitate for a single second.

He violently yanked the milk carton right out of Nia's tight little grip.

His force was so brutal that it not only ripped off the straw, but bruised the child's wrist.

"Wah—!"

Terrified, Nia burst into tears, her tiny face flushing bright red in an instant.

Brandon's brows knitted tightly into a scowl, and he raised his hand, aiming to slap the child across the face.

"Shut the hell up! You little jinx! Don't you know you're disturbing Mia's rest?!"

I lunged forward to shield my daughter, pulling her tightly against my chest.

"Brandon, are you even human?! That's Nia's dinner!"

Brandon scoffed coldly, handing the milk to Mia in the passenger seat.

"What's the big deal if a kid skips one meal? Mia thought that meal kit was too spicy just now; this is perfect to wash it down."

Mia took the milk without sparing a single glance at the weeping toddler.

Biting on the straw, she leaned coquettishly against Brandon's shoulder.

"You're the sweetest, Brandon. Really though, your wife is so petty, making a fuss over a simple carton of milk."

She shot me a provocative glare, a smug smirk curling at the corners of her lips.

That was my daughter's lifeline!

A rush of pure fury surged straight to my brain.

I threw myself forward, trying to grab the milk back.

"Give it back! That's for my daughter!"

Brandon hadn't expected me to fight back. He raised his boot and kicked me hard in the stomach.

"Crazy bitch, I gave you face and you spit on it, huh?!"

The impact sent me sprawling onto the cold pavement.

Just as I tried to scramble back to my feet to retaliate, the door of the car behind us swung open.

My mother-in-law, Martha, and my sister-in-law, Chloe, stormed over with menacing scowls.

For a second, I thought they were coming to break up the fight.

After all, Nia was their own flesh and blood.

Martha walked over, not even bothering to glance at me lying on the ground.

She marched straight up to Mia's car window, her face breaking into a fawning, servile smile.

"Mia, sweetheart, don't be scared. If that crazy woman dares lay a finger on you, I'll put her in her place myself."

Mia called her "Auntie" in a sweet voice and gently adjusted the scarf around Martha's neck.

It was an "imported luxury designer" scarf she had gifted to Martha.

Martha stroked that scarf with reverence, unable to keep her hands off it.

Then she spun around and spat on the ground right in front of me.

"Chloe, look at this uncultured trash! Starting a brawl with Mia over a damn carton of milk?!"

"Nia's just a worthless girl—what does she need milk for? She can survive on tap water!"

Chloe crossed her arms, sneering.

"Exactly. You're so utterly clueless, sister-in-law."

"Mia's body is precious. If she starves and gets sick, could you ever afford to compensate her?"

"If you offend Mia, your death wouldn't even cover the debt—don't drag our family down with you."

Lying on the freezing ground, I stared at these so-called family members.

The chill piercing my heart was colder than the draft sweeping through the tunnel.

Right then, the tunnel's emergency broadcast crackled to life with a loud squawk.

"Attention all motorists: The landslide ahead is severe. Rescue operations are expected to be extremely difficult and will take at least three days to clear a path..."

"Please conserve your supplies and shelter in place..."

Three days.

The entire tunnel instantly erupted into chaos.

Panic spread like wildfire.

The moment Chloe heard it would take three days, sheer dread washed over her.

She immediately scurried over to Mia to suck up to her.

"Mia, that six-figure corporate job you promised to set up for me... you'll still make it happen once we get out, right?"

Mia daintily dabbed the milk from the corner of her mouth with a tissue.

"Of course, as long as you take good care of me."

I looked down at my shivering, terrified daughter in my arms.

Nia's tiny hands clung desperately to the hem of my coat.

"Mommy, I'm scared..."

To survive, I forced down the murderous rage burning inside me and didn't charge back in.

I lifted my daughter into my arms and quietly retreated to my own car.