Elaine's POV Caleb and Emily… They were looking right at me. Their eyes were wide, as wide as sauce pans, they looked like they had just seen a ghost. I almost chuckled at the irony, because to them, I was very much like a ghost, a ghost who Emily had watched drown or so she believed. I remembered watching the news and the body that was found under the bridge; the one that was said to be mine obviously wasn't. It had the same name I had, and it had worked in my favour, not that Caleb and Emily had any qualms to check it. If they had looked further, they would have found out that another family had come to claim it; that it wasn't mine at all, but they didn't. I gripped the steering wheel, willing myself to have a blank and neutral face. I didn't think I'd meet them like this, in this manner, staring at each other from afar. I swallowed the rising bile in my throat, the memories of that night surging back like a wave I wasn’t ready for. I had prepared for this moment a thousand times
Author's POV “This is what she could look like now?” Jared questioned, studying the picture in his hands. In the picture was an older ages up version of their younger sister made by technology, even though he were quite sceptical of the picture, he were still impressed and had to admit that he could still see their sister in the technology made photo in their hands. Killian had handed him the picture earlier that morning, “It’s not perfect, but it's the closest estimation we have.” Killian had said, his tone soft. Jared could hear the underlying frustration in his brother’s voice, the anger that time had stolen their sister from them. Jared sighed and placed the picture back on the table. A headache brewed behind his head, the weight of the past and the uncertainty of what the present held was pressing down on him. He needed air. Without a word to anyone, Jared slipped out of the house and into the streets, walking. It was hard for people to recognise him because, well… He was und
Elaine's POV “I'm sorry I'm late.” I apologised as I dropped the papers on the table, trying to rearrange it. “Why do you look so… rough?” Elijah questioned, leaning on his hands as he stared at me. He didn't even move to help me, well I couldn't blame him, he was a prince so he wasn't used to helping people. But contrary to my thoughts, he stood up, his tall frame towering over me as he slightly pushed me away, pressing down on my shoulders and forcing me to sit. Then, with practised movements, he rearranged the documents and put them into its folders back while I watched with pure fascination, I guess I was wrong. “I bumped into someone, so everything got on the floor. I'm just thankful that it didn't get into water or something.” I muttered the last part of my sentence under my breath. But as I looked a little bit more at Elijah, I realised something. “Come to think of it, you look like the older version of the person who bumped into me. Like, you have the same face, he could
Author's POV “We have been able to find who she is. Elaine Winters, she grew up in a small house before she got married to one Caleb. However, there's a problem here, she's registered as dead. It says she died months ago, but how's that possible? I saw her a few days ago.” Jared placed the papers gingerly on the table, then turned his head around to stare at the man who had given him this information, “Are you sure this is correct?” He questioned, still sceptical about it. Killian who was beside him also raised his head up, silently asking with his eyes the same question as Jared. “Yes. I investigated deeply before bringing this to you. Jared, you know how I am, I just don't bring unverified information to you, I am a little offended.” The man replied quietly, his voice soft. “Ah, I apologise.” Jared chuckled, “But I don't understand. How could she be dead? I literally saw her like, a few days ago, this doesn't make sense.” “I would advise you to finish reading the documents a
Elaine's POV “Miss Elaine…” Someone knocked on the door, calling out my name. I raised my head and said, “Come in”. A young woman, one of the employees downstairs whom I had never spoken to before, came in, she was cute. And I hoped her words were cute as well. “Miss, we have a message for Mr Silver's but he is not in yet so I was asked to bring this to you. It's from Delacroix.” She smiled and handed the sealed document to me. It was an invitation to a party at the Delacroix Mansion. “Thank you.” I smiled at her, watching her beam as she left my office. After she left, closing the door behind her, I glanced back at the invitation card, “It’s pretty.” I mused out, obviously admiring the handwriting. It was neater than I would have ever hoped to write. “Well, it's for Zade so…” I sighed and carefully stood up from my desk to walk to the inner office, Zade's office to keep the invitation in his drawer, when a voice suddenly sounded from the door. “What are you doing?” “Oh my g
Elaine's POVI screamed, my face as red as a tomato, probably even redder than one. Zade chuckled, clearly proud of himself as he straightened up, his hands still braced against the wall, trapping me in place. His expression softened just slightly, though the amusement in his eyes hadn’t entirely faded. “You deserve it.” He said, matter-of-factly. I glared at him, my neck still tingling where his teeth had grazed my skin, "You’re insane, Zade." I muttered, rubbing the spot where he’d bitten me, “I hope I didn't get rabies from your teeth.” I muttered angrily. “Hm? Do you want us to check? I can bring an actual dog in to bite you.” He threatened and I shook my head rapidly, smiling sheepishly. “I was joking, just joking. You don't need to be so serious, Zade, you should learn how to take a joke sometimes.” “Whatever. Anyways, wear your mask properly and come with me to a place.” I blinked, thrown off by the sudden change in conversation, "What? Where?" He stepped back, giving
Elaine's POV “Stay here while I go to pay.” Zade stood up and I sighed, plopping down on the chair to sit. I was beat! How could Zade act like this? I never knew he was a maniac when it came to clothes! But it really was stuffy here. I stood up, checking to see if I could spot Zade anywhere but I couldn't. I just went outside directly, forgetting to take my mask once again and that proved to be a very… wrong decision. Or was it?! I stepped outside, the crisp breeze hitting my face and filling my lungs with fresh air. For a brief moment, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the quiet, enjoying the small freedom of being out of the crowded store. Just as I was about to head back inside, my body collided with someone, and I stumbled backwards. I raised my head and was about to apologise when a gasp sounded in my ears. "Oh my god…” A familiar voice whispered, her tone full of disbelief and I froze. Standing in front of me, wide-eyed with jaws open wide were Caleb's mother and Emily. Emily’s
Elaine's POV “Ah… Just the way your husband saw how much of a burden you were to him and how he left you afterwards? What was it again? A divorce? Or did he just walk out one day when he finally realised who you really are?” I cut in, watching Clara's face turn so red that it looked like she was steaming. Clara’s eyes flared with rage, and in an instant, her hand flew up, aimed straight for my face. But I was faster. I caught her wrist in mid-air, gripping it tightly and holding it in place. Her eyes widened in shock as I held her there, "Don’t you dare." I said, my voice low but steady, "You think you can hurt me? After everything you and your precious son have done, you still think I’m that weak little girl you used to push around?” I tightened my grip on her wrist, "You should be afraid, Clara. Because I’m not done. And when I come for you, for Caleb, for all of you, you’ll regret every single thing you ever did to me." Clara struggled to free her hand, but I held firm. Then, w
Author's Pov The car ride back to Grandfather's mansion was quiet. No one spoke a word, not even one movement. Grandfather's face was serene, calm, blank, as if he wasn't thinking about anything. While Caleb had all sorts of emotions written very colorfully on his face. When they alighted from t
Elaine's Pov “Thank you for your help, we will get back to you in a few days.” The Police officer declared, his voice loud and clear. Afterwards, they dragged the still screaming Emily out of the mansion, leaving the scene behind. After they left, guests started to murmur. “Caleb’s family is don
“You don’t get it, do you?” I said, my voice steady, “This isn’t about being better than you. This is about justice, for everyone you’ve hurt. Including me!” Emily’s breathing grew ragged, her chest heaving as she stared at me with unbridled hatred. Suddenly, she lunged forward, her hands reaching
Elaine's Pov “You said you loved me!” Her voice broke, tears streaming down her face as she staggered toward him, but he took a step back, his jaw tightening. She turned toward the crowd then, her gaze wild and unfocused, “They’re all lying! They’re jealous! All of them are jealous of what I have
Elaine's Pov “Instead… Why don't we bring a doctor in to check if you're actually pregnant? After all, you've been able to deceive each and every one of us. If I didn't find out about it, you would have still continued to use it as leverage.” I said slowly, deliberately, enunciating every word, my
Elaine's Pov “How do I know all of this?” I repeated, my voice calm but commanding, “Because I am Elaine Winters.” And with that, I pulled off my mask, revealing my face to the people in the room. The gasp that erupted from the crowd was deafening. “She’s alive, I saw her on TV saying she was dea
Elaine's Pov “I can't take Caleb as my future husband… Why, you may be asking?” I slapped Caleb's hand away from my wrist, cleaning my palm on my dress as I turned to face the audience, “Because he's my ex husband!” I finished sweetly, clapping my hands together, the sound echoing throughout the h
Elaine's Pov It was time for the engagement. I stood in front of the mirror as the servants continued to dress me, I could hear the excited murmurs that came from the guests outside. Those whom I had invited and a lot of Caleb's workers and friends. I was nervous I wouldn't lie, but also, I re
Elaine's Pov “Put up the banners!” “Can't you see that it's not the same colour?! This is two shades darker, bring it down and change it instantly!” “Remove this, and this, and this! This party must be perfect! Lady Evangeline said there must be no mistakes!” Servants ran helter skelter