Chapter 1
THE BOY AT THE GATE
The Sterling mansion sat behind tall iron gates.
Perfect gardens.
Perfect fountains.
Perfect lives.
Or at least that's what people believed.
That afternoon, eight-year-old Sofia was playing near the front garden while her mother watched from the terrace.
The sun was warm.
The air was peaceful.
Then Sofia noticed someone standing outside the gate.
A boy.
About her age.
Barefoot.
Thin.
Dirty clothes hanging loosely from his small frame.
His eyes fixed on the food in her hands.
Without hesitation, Sofia walked closer.
She opened her lunchbox.
Pulled out her sandwich.
And offered it to him with both hands.
The boy stared in disbelief.
"Really?" he whispered.
Sofia smiled.
"Of course."
Just as he reached for it—
Elena saw what was happening.
Fear shot through her instantly.
She rushed across the garden.
"Sofia!"
Her voice cracked.
"Step away from the gate!"
The little girl jumped.
The boy stepped back nervously.
But before Elena could pull her daughter away...
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Something caught her eye.
And everything changed.
