Chapter 1

Six months ago in Canada.

"I can't believe this; after all my hard work, I still end up here." Grace Bush muttered to herself, frustration etched on her face. Working in the local publishing company in her hometown had been hell, not just physically but mentally. She had applied to the Davi Publishing Firm, a big firm in New York, but instead, she ended up at the O.S Publishing Industry in this local town, and not even at the headquarters. "OMG! Was I cursed? Am I going to die here, aren't I? This can't be all there is to me," she grunted loudly, gaining the attention of the front desk clerk.

"Are you alright, Grace? You are sighing out loud," the clerk, Edna, asked, her tone laced with concern.

Sighing even louder, Grace snapped, "It's Miss Bush to you, and yeah, I'm okay."

"You don't sound so."

"Yeah, well, that's because you're in my face, Edna. Why don't you go do your work and leave me the hell alone, huh?" She knew she was being rude, but at this point, she didn't care. The challenges in her life had pushed her to this breaking point.

"Fine, suit yourself."

"Great, thanks. Now I feel even more miserable than ever," Grace sighed even louder than before, wondering what had happened to her. She hadn't always been this rude and self-centered. "Well, Grace Bush," she said to herself bitterly, "after everything you've been through, you're lucky that your manners are the only thing you lost and not your sanity or even your life." She looked more hopeless than ever.

"I need air, or else I'm going to suffocate here," she said to herself, deciding to take a break. She headed to the counter for a cup of black tea and then made her way to the office balcony. "God, I miss my life, my family, my dreams, and everything that incident took from me. I wasn't always this miserable. I had a perfect life, a perfect family, a perfect dream," she sighed, her voice trailing off.

That incident had happened eight years ago, but its impact still weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Eight years ago.

She had a lovely family—Mr. and Mrs. Adam Bush, her parents, who were like angels in disguise. Her mother, Mary Bush, was a wonderful woman, working as an English professor at a state university, and her father, Adam Bush, not only worked as a publisher but also owned a publishing film in Canada. 

It might not have been as big or popular as other publishing firms, but it was highly respected due to its honesty, loyalty, and unique publishing style. Grace admired her father immensely; she wanted to be like him, working with integrity, not just for fame or wealth but to contribute meaningfully to society. Her parents had been overjoyed when she informed them of her decision to become a journalist and work with her father in his firm.

Plans were laid out, and she decided to go to New York City to study, to acquire more knowledge so she could assist her father. Her father agreed and promised to help her with reliable study materials since he had been a journalist himself. Everything seemed perfect, but little did she know that her life was about to take a drastic turn.

Before she knew it, college was over, and thanks to her father's connections, they were given a one-day invitation to a university in New York to explore it. Both her parents decided to accompany her. On the day of the visit, the sun was shining brightly, and Grace was filled with excitement. 

She was allowed to ride shotgun with her father, and her fantasies about her new life, the cute guys she would meet, and the apartment she would live in filled her mind. 

Everything seemed arranged, and she felt like a princess, even though her parents had never raised her to be spoiled. They had taught her the value of life, respect, obedience, and the importance of believing in herself.

Despite her privileged life, she had always felt fulfilled, and just when she thought her life couldn't get any better, everything turned sideways.