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
Caleb's POV “I saw her…” I just saw her again. For the second time, to prove that I wasn't crazy. To prove that I wasn't seeing things. How could she be alive? They had clearly said that she was dead, that she commited suicide and jumped into the water under the bridge to die. How could she still be alive? I had clearly seen her body, I had seen it. I stumbled backwards, my legs shaky as I tried to hold on to a wall. I noticed the stares around me, but I didn't care. How could I care about them when Elaine was right in front of me? She had changed. She had really changed. Her long hair was short, like a bob. She looked plumper, prettier, she was never like this with me. I still remembered the black eyed, thin and rough faced Elaine. She had been so unkempt, so broken when she was with me. I could still picture her back then, hair a tangled mess, clothes hanging loosely on her bony frame, and those dark circles under her eyes that seemed to swallow her whole. She barely ate, barely
My chest tightened, and I couldn't stop the anger from boiling over. I wanted to storm up to them, to tear that smug smile off her face and demand answers. But my feet stayed rooted in place. The smile on her face made my heart wrench so much, she never smiled like that when she was with me. That da
FLASHBACK CONTINUES Caleb's POV “What? Elaine… She aborted my…” I trailed off, my chest tightened, my throat constricting as the words sunk in, "She aborted my baby?" The shock hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me winded. How could she do that? How could she make that decision without telling me? “She said she didn’t want to bring a baby into this world, I heard her say this to your mother and your mother told me. But I didn't think she would go through with it. That innocent baby…“ Emily's voice was soft, filled with sympathy as she wiped a tear from her cheek, "But Caleb... you have to know something else.” I turned to her, barely able to process what she had just said, “What else could there be?” I barked, my voice raw with a mixture of anger and disbelief. My mind was already spinning from the thought of Elaine aborting our child. She hesitated, then slowly reached into her bag, pulling out a small envelope, “I didn’t want to tell you before.” She began, her voice trem
Elaine's POV The sound of glass clinking against each other filled my ears, the chattering of people as well as the soft and slow murmurings that floated in the air. The people around me were all big shots in the business industry and although I was thankful that I saw these people once in my entire life, I was about to pee my pants from nervousness. I was too nervous. “Breathe, Elaine. No one is going to eat you here.” Zade whispered into my ears as he bypassed me, I took a deep breath and whispered back to him. “Well, it certainly doesn't seem like that.” I glanced at everyone, “They all look like they do want to eat me. Look at them, I'm the sheep and they are the wolf!” I exclaimed, downing another drink. “Why did I even listen to you and come here in the first place?” I groaned. I thought I was actually going to see a glimpse of the royal family but they haven't been anywhere to be seen yet. “Who are you looking for?” “Elijah. I thought he was going to be here.” I mov
Elaine's POV The woman's expression shifted lightly at my refusal but thankfully, she did not press further and blow up like I thought she would have. Instead, she gave a small dismissive wave before turning on her heels and walking away. I let out a quiet sigh of relief, hoping that the encounter would be the last awkward encounter for the night. Just as I began to relax again, the room grew noticeably quieter, the low murmur of voices hushed, and a sudden wave of anticipation filled the air. I followed the gaze of the crowd, turning toward the grand entrance as heavy doors slowly opened. The Royal Family had arrived. Every person in the ballroom seemed to shift, subtly straightening their posture, eager to get a glimpse of the most powerful family in the country. I stood still, trying to blend in, but my heart raced. The air in the room grew more formal as they stepped in, first was Elijah, tall and poised, exuding that his effortless charisma that had always captured everyone's
Elaine's POV “Elaine… Elaine, where are you?!” I huddled closer on the ground, rocking myself back and forth. I still could not believe it. I was their daughter? This must be a joke, a real joke, they wanted to make fun of me. That was it. “Elaine… Elaine… Oh.” Zade's voice finally came closer and our eyes met. He had sweat dripping down his brows, and his face was slightly red. “What are you doing on the ground, Elaine. You would get yourself dirty.” Zade said, but he still sat down next to me. Right on the ground. If we were in a normal situation, I would have teased him and laughed, but I could not do that right now. In fact… “Did you know?” “Hm?” “Did you know? Is that why you asked me to come here with you?” I questioned again, not looking at him. “Your name was on the invitation card Elaine, I didn't just bring you here.” “But you knew. You're not denying it, you knew about this from the very beginning, Zade. Don't lie to me.” I threatened, clenching my fists bes
Elaine's Pov Zade’s warm smile made me smile in response to what he said. His hands in mine felt very grounding, like nothing was going to happen while he was here. “I wasn’t sure if you were still in the mood for it.” I replied, my voice lighter than I felt.He tilted his head, studying me for a
Elaine's Pov “Am I interrupting something? And why is my dear sister on the floor shaking like a leaf? Did she do something to you, Elaine?” Katherine questioned, standing beside me, next to Elijah. After this, I was going to become a wingman for both of them. If Katherine could get married to E
Elaine's Pov It was as if a boulder had fallen down on Mila and Jade, the both of them stumbled in shock and horror. I went straight to them, my brother's and Zade right behind me. When I stopped, I beamed at them, stretching out my hands for a handshake. “Mila Hall and Jade, right? I've heard s
“Elaine, although to you and to others, this is just a normal debut, but it's not. You don't know how you went missing and why I spent so much time finding you. There are people in this family who haven't shown themselves. Those who are waiting for you to be officially recognised into this family so
Elaine's Pov. “This is bullshit, you know?!” I muttered angrily under my breath, frowning when a gust of wind flowed into the shed, making my body automatically shiver. Not only was I locked up in a place where it was going to be hard for people to pass through, I was also cold, dirty and smelly.
Elaine's Pov “They’re just people, Elaine. It's not like you've not stood in front of a lot of people before. You literally did this when dealing with Caleb and Emily.” I muttered under her breath, trying to steady my raging nerves. Guests who were dressed in glamorous attires filed into the l
Elaine's Pov “Yours? How noble.” Jade sneered, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder, “But don’t think for a second that your actions will go unnoticed. Father doesn’t take kindly to being disobeyed, baby brother. You know that better than anyone.” “Like I said, it's your problem not mine. H
Elaine’s Pov “That’s your brother? He’s ugly. Really ugly.” I whispered to Zade who snickered at my words. Truly, to me, this Jade was really ugly, not as handsome as Zade. I stared at him for a while, frowning, even from where he stood, I could smell the amount of female perfume coming from him.
Author's Pov "I am so exhausted." Katherine groaned. She plopped down on her bed, covering her face with her pillow. Going to the Delacroix Mansion was not something she had counted on in her entire life but Elaine made it happen. Mila might have gone there but she no chance to. "Miss. Your sis