THE SHARED LOAF: A girl in a camel coat gave half a loaf of bread to a starving child on the frozen street. She didn't know she was rescuing her lost cousin—or starting a war.

The armored vehicle navigated out of the ruined, industrial Sector 4 and climbed into the fortified, pristine hills of the High District.

Massive iron gates swung open, allowing the convoy to pass into a private estate surrounded by high stone walls, security cameras, and armed guards patrolling with dobermans.

The SUV pulled up in front of a grand manor built of dark granite and warm yellow glass.

"Out," Victor commanded as a butler opened the door.

Nora hesitated, her small hands clutching the edges of Clara’s camel coat. The sheer size and luxury of the manor terrified her more than the dark alleys she called home.

"Come on," Clara took her hand firmly. "We stick together."

Inside, the foyer was blindingly bright, heated by a massive stone fireplace that crackled with pine logs. The scent of roasted meats, cedar, and fresh flowers filled the air—smells Nora had only ever caught faint whiffs of outside luxury restaurants before being chased away by guards.

"Take Miss Clara to her quarters," Victor instructed a housekeeper. "And take this child to the medical wing. Have Dr. Aris perform a full blood panel and DNA sequence immediately."

"No!" Clara stepped between her uncle and Nora, her small frame rigid. "She stays with me! She’s cold and she’s hungry, Uncle Victor! You treated her like a criminal!"

Victor stared down at his young niece. For the first time, his stern face softened by a fraction. "Clara, this is not a game. You do not understand who this child is."

"She’s my friend!" Clara yelled back, her voice echoing off the grand marble staircase. "She was dying on our street, and nobody cared except me! You brought her here, so treat her like a guest!"