Chapter 1

Ever since I was little, my mom and dad told me I was an angel sent from heaven.

Because of that, I wasn’t allowed to eat meat. I wasn't allowed to drink milk. I wasn't allowed to eat anything with even a drop of oil.

"Real food is too filthy, Chloe. If you eat it, your angel wings will wither, your beautiful dress will turn black, and your face will rot.

Leave all that greasy, toxic garbage for your little brother to eat."

Every day, I watched my brother, Leo, stuff his face with juicy fried chicken, grease dripping down his chin. In my heart, I felt nothing but pity for him.

My parents loved me the most. They were keeping me pure and clean.

Until I was six years old, and they sent me to a live-streamed reality show called Wilderness Feast.

After starving in the wild for three days, the show’s host brought over a plate of golden, crispy roasted lamb.

I covered my nose and hid behind a tree. "I won't eat that! I'm an angel. If I eat it, I'll turn ugly!"

While trying to run away from the host, I tripped and fell. My sleeves pulled back, revealing my bone-thin wrists and ankles.

That day, millions of viewers watching the live stream realized I was severely, dangerously malnourished.

The live stream was immediately cut off. The host carried me into the medical tent.

The on-site doctor lifted my thin shirt, his face growing darker by the second.

"This child is severely malnourished. Her ribs are completely visible, and she has almost zero body fat."

"If this keeps up, her organs will start failing from starvation."

I was still chewing on the piece of lamb the host had gently forced into my mouth earlier. Grease coated my lips.

I had never tasted anything so delicious in my entire life. For a moment, I had completely forgotten my parents' warnings.

But hearing the word "failing," I immediately raised my head and protested:

"Doctor, don't scare me! My dad said angels are supposed to be like this. The skinnier we are, the more beautiful we look."

The doctor’s hand froze, holding the stethoscope in mid-air.

He turned to look at the man standing beside him.

His name was Alex Vance. He was the main investor of the show, and the one who had just forced me to take a bite of the lamb.

He was very tall, wearing a black tactical jacket. His brows were knit tight.

He looked so scary.

Alex walked over, knelt down in front of me, and forced his voice to soften. "Chloe, tell me. What do you usually eat at home?"

I swallowed the last bit of lamb and puffed out my chest proudly.

"I eat angel meals!"

"Every morning, Mom boils a single organic cabbage leaf with a drop of morning dew for me. For lunch, I get a tiny bowl of brown rice. And for dinner, I only drink a glass of warm water to cleanse my stomach."

"Mom says girls must stay pure. We can’t have any filthy toxins in our bodies.

My brother Leo is a boy, so he doesn't need to be an angel. That's why he has to force himself to eat all the meat and seafood at home."

"Leo is so pitiful. He has to eat that greasy garbage every day, and now he’s too fat to even run. I’m definitely the lucky one."

The medical tent went dead silent.

I looked around and noticed everyone was staring at me with the strangest expressions.

What was wrong? Were they jealous of how blessed I was?

The doctor turned his back to me and quietly wiped his eyes.

Alex stared at me for a long time. Finally, he reached out and handed me a wet wipe.

"Clean your mouth."

I quickly took it, my heart pounding with fear.

Did Uncle Alex also think I was dirty now because I ate meat?

Suddenly, the show's director rushed in, sweating profusely, holding a phone.

"Mr. Vance! We have a crisis! The backup feed wasn't cut! Everything she just said was broadcasted live!"

The director was practically pacing in circles. "The internet is in an absolute uproar! People are accusing us of child abuse! Chloe's parents are on the phone right now, crying and threatening to sue us!"

Alex stood up, his expression unchanged.

He held out his hand. "Give me the phone."

The director scrambled to hand it over.

The speakerphone was on, and my mom’s voice immediately echoed through the tent.

"Chloe! My sweet baby, Chloe! Can you hear me?"

Hearing her voice, I shivered. I quickly hid my hands behind my back, trying to conceal the grease on my fingers.

I whispered, "Mom... I can hear you."

"Chloe, I saw you eat meat on the screen."

My mom’s voice sounded incredibly heartbroken and disappointed. "

Didn't you promise me you would be our purest little angel? How could you touch that filthy food? Is your angel dress ruined now? Do you have any idea how much you're hurting me right now?"

Tears welled up in my eyes instantly.

I was terrified of making my mom sad.

Every time she spoke to me in that sweet, disappointed voice, I knew I had been a bad girl.

"I'm sorry, Mom! I'm so sorry!"

I sobbed into the phone. "The mean uncle made me eat it! I didn't want to! I didn't want to get dirty! Please don't hate me, Mom!"

A soft sigh came from the other end of the line. "How could I ever hate you, sweetie? I love you the most."

"Be good and wait there. Your dad and I are coming to pick you up right now."

"Once we get home, I'll make you some herbal detox tea to flush out all those toxins. Our Chloe will be a clean, pure angel again."

I nodded desperately, finally feeling a wave of relief.

But then, Alex spoke.

"Mrs. Miller, this is Alex Vance. Your daughter is currently in a state of severe, life-threatening malnutrition. I will not allow you to take her. I am taking her to the hospital immediately."

My eyes widened, and I looked up in confusion.

That was when I saw Alex’s eyes. They were cold enough to freeze water.