56: Two Wrongs

Elara's POV 

‘For Marco to be away from you… Hate you… Break off the deal - Isn't that what you've always wanted, Elara?’

The tiny voice in my head questioned its tone was a mix of mockery and reality. 

Without denial, that was exactly what I hoped for, wished for, and prayed for. I wanted to be away from him for my peace of mind, for Violet. 

Except now, it only felt wrong. 

It felt like I had been charged with life imprisonment like I was trapping myself in a box and shutting it out of the world. 

Marco, the supposedly black demon, was my light, the brightest after Violet. 

He'd shown me what true love and obsession meant, what it felt like to be loved by a king of his kind. 

Maybe quite psychopathic, but genuine… or too dominant, but what if I wouldn't want to be loved any other way? 

“Damn it.”

I sighed and fell flat on the bed, tired of the dozens of thoughts going through my mind at a go. 

The few days he'd recoiled to his shell, treated me like nothing other than an object for his pleasure and given me the cold shoulder, it felt like hell. 

This morning was worse. 

It was obvious how jealous and possessive of a man he was. His dark eyes, angry tone, tensed muscles… silence. 

Maybe I'd just call off this little game Evelyn, and I had to roll.

30 days. 

It was all I gave myself to have a wrong perception about Marco. And also to let myself be loved by him. 

If it ever turns out to be the best days of my life, I'd let him in, shut the world up, and be his queen. I'd be his peace… and surely, I'd let him know about his daughter. 

But if not, I'd walk away, elope to a faraway country with my child, start a new life with a whole different identity,, and continue the drill. 

Filled from eating like a glutton just to get Marco's torment off my mind, I was now exhausted. 

My mind drifted to  Evelyn and her fake neighbor. He must be back now, maybe already lying to her about the sour date. I wasn't entirely worried about his whereabouts considering what happened. The delay must be him getting treatment. 

‘What if he makes Evelyn his next victim? What if he yaps about your real identity?’

Plenty of what-ifs tormented me. 

Besides, it was high time she knew about my past and real self. 

Since Marco was still with my phone, I needed to escape this prison. 

It's been two hours since he had left and he might be back any moment. Springing on my feet, I winced, feeling the anal plug poke my soft wall.

“Such an asshole.” I groaned under my breath, hating Marco this minute. “I'd get my revenge. That I promise.” 

Sighing and dragging my heavy feet along the place, I changed into something more comfortable; a sundress that was free on me. The bright yellow color was soothing on my skin. I let my hair fall around my shoulders, picked up my purse, and started for Violet’s room. 

She was under the sheets, curled up with Birdie. I'd hate to break their cozy moment and wake her up,  but she was my only key out of this house. 

“It's okay, baby.”

I whispered in her ears and patted her back. 

The private bodyguard assigned to me started behind me, keeping tabs. 

It was a good thing he didn't try to stop me. I bet Marco hadn't warned his men not to let me out. 

“Sleep carefully, hun,” I murmured to Violet once we got into the back seat and she tried to find comfort. 

The drive to Evelyn's house was shorter. 

I left Violet in the car and rushed down the walkway. It was going to be a brief meeting. 

Her windows were locked, which was unusual. Knocking on the door, I didn't get any response. 

Again, I knocked, hoping she was inside, sleeping. 

“Lily!” 

Her shrill voice called from behind. 

Before I could get a balance, she threw herself around me in a warm hug and sniffled. 

Wait… was he still not home? 

The moron must have called his petty game quit and left. 

“Is everything okay?” 

I permed her hair and waited for her to respond at her own time. 

She shook her head against me and sobbed a little more. 

“He still isn't home.” Her voice sounded weak now. She looked and sounded too concerned. 

“Uh… maybe he has an emergency.”

“And his line? It isn't reachable.” 

I wish he could just go missing forever. Ah! 

“What have you done so far?” I asked instead. 

She shook her head and finally pulled away. “Nothing yet, just trying to blow up his phone with calls.” 

A minute of silence followed. 

“Can you do me a small favor?” 

My throat swelled when I swelled dryly. With Evelyn, there was nothing like a small wish. 

“Please join me to go to the station. I need to report his odd disappearance.”

For someone who almost harmed me, I rather trek the whole of New Jersey and be smitten by the harsh sun. 

“Alright. When?” 

“Now.” She held my wrist and dragged me towards the parked car. “I guess it's the only good thing that came with that psycho.” 

We gossiped and ranted about a few things while the driver took us to the nearest station. 

“So, Matthew hasn't spoken to you since the day?” I tried to act a bit concerned.

“He hasn't.” She hissed. “Are you sure nothing happened?” 

“We're here, Lady Elara.” 

The driver's announcement saved the day. I hurried out, but not leaving Violet. 

DESCRIBE THE STATION. 

Side by side, we walked to the reception. Once we crossed the lobby, Evelyn doubled her pace. She was now by the desk, waiting for the desk officer to be done. 

“Hi. Please, I need to speak with the officer in charge.”  Evelyn began. “I… I think that my neighbor is missing.” 

“Please, hold on for a moment.” The young lady pressed her keyboard and resumed focusing on Evelyn. “We need to get your statement, then we will get you an officer to be in charge of it.”

Evelyn nodded. “He hasn't returned till now, which is strange.”

The receptionist beat her keys as she tried to catch up. “Okay… Do you perhaps know why he left last night?” 

“Yeah - he… he went on a date.”

The lady paused to look at Evelyn and then myself; her gaze was judgemental. And it wasn't her fault. Evelyn seemed to be overreacting. 

“Have you tried calling him?” 

Evelyn nodded. 

“Uh… Could you please provide us with your basic information?” 

She pushed a file and allowed Evelyn to make her entry. 

“If anything happens before twenty-four hours, kindly inform us.” Her tone was calm. “Since there isn't any form of emergency, we need to wait for twenty-four hours to lay a complaint of missing person.”

Evelyn nodded. 

“Have a great day ma'am. I hope to hear from you.”

We walked out of the station, with Evelyn disappointed. 

“He's okay wherever he is.” I broke the silence and tried to make the atmosphere lively. 

“I hope so.” 

When we got to her house, I remained in the car and watched her leave. Time was far spent. If I followed her in, it meant that I'd listen to her rant all day, and piss off Marco. 

She got to her doorstep, and we were about to drive off when her shrill cry broke the air. 

“Stop. Stop the car.”

He jerked to a halt, with me falling forward. Thankfully, Violet had her belt on. The cry made her murmur in her sleep, but that was it. 

I got down and ran the flight of steps. Now standing next to Evelyn's shaking frame, I looked at the brown medium-sized carton in front of her. 

It had trails of blood. 

In it were ten fingers and a roughly chopped head… Matthew's!

Oh. My. God.