Returning early after three months, the millionaire choked back tears, expecting his daughter to run into his arms. Instead, she whispered, “Daddy, you’re back early.” Stepping inside, he saw her shivering in rags, while his wife lived in luxury. He froze, knelt down, and asked softly, “Who did this to you?”

bitten into her flesh.

“Why didn’t you use your tablet to call me?” I asked. The moment the question left my lips, I despised myself. Asking it implied she held some degree of agency in this hostage situation.

“Beatriz was always standing right behind me when we FaceTimed,” Isabella confessed, fresh tears spilling over. “She told me that if I dared to continue reading …