Chapter 3

ELSIE’S POV

I stared at the man who had just entered the room in awe, he was cradling a baby in his arms and I guessed it was Isabella.

I recognized him but my mind could not recall where I had seen him. I guessed he was likely to be the owner of the house.

The man was in his late forties, he exuded dominance. His nearly combed black hair and deep eyes were so captivating. A well-defined jaw added to his commanding presence. He was neatly dressed in a black suit that gave him an aristocratic air.

He approached my bedside, gently placing my daughter in my awaiting arms.

A surge of warmth instantly spread across my face, blossoming into a soft smile as I caressed the tiny hands of Isabella and stared directly into her perfect little eyes. My heart was thumped with a mixture of love and overwhelming anticipation, witnessing my fragile yet serene figure nestled in slumber made me happy.

“ My name is Timothy Baker.” the man introduced himself. His voice beamed with kindness.

In that moment, my thoughts drifted to my father, they both had similar tenderness in their eyes. And when our eyes met, my heart bled remembering what Emilia had told me at the hospital.

“ I know you, you are the one I encountered in front of the hospital not long ago right? ” I said, a flicker of recognition crossing my mind.

He smiled lightly then he said,

“ Yes, I saw you lying half dead outside the hospital and noticed nobody came to your rescue so I decided to bring you here.”

I noticed his hesitation while talking and how he tried to avoid my gaze,

“Is there something you are not telling me?” I asked, staring at him and my little princess stimuteniously.

He turned his gaze away immediately, more like he was feeling guilty about something.

“I was wondering if I should tell you or not nonetheless, the truth will be revealed someday. The event you mentioned happened today… It didn't happen today, it occurred four weeks ago.”

I struggled to process his words, a wave of resistance washing over my thoughts.

“ This can't be true,” I muttered under my breath. Unease knotted in my stomach. How is it possible that I've been here for this long, yet I'm just waking up?

“ You have a mobile phone close to you on the bed if you doubt and want to confirm if I'm telling the truth,” Timothy suggested, I'm sure he had noticed the doubt and confusion on my face.

I grabbed it as if my life depended on it. Unfortunately, the date and time on the phone confirmed all he was telling me.

“Oh my God,” I said, pure shock coursing through my veins.

“You were bleeding heavily when I found you lying down in front of the hospital. Well Elsie I don't know you In person but I can see that you are a strong woman, you fought hard to stay alive for you and your baby.”

It all started to sense to me but wait a minute,

He knows my name!

“How do you know my name?” I asked, cuddling my daughter in my arms, What if he's a serial killer or some mafia lord, Different thoughts were rubbing through my mind causing me to be afraid.

“ I might not know you too well but at least, I know you are Elsie Crown, daughter of the business mogul Mr Andrew Crown, May God bless his soul.” He said, bowing his head and putting up a sad expression at the mention of my dad’s name.

“ Wait. What do you mean by ‘ God Bless his soul?” I asked.

Timothy let out a breath, sadness written all over his face.

“ The night I found you lying almost lifeless, I carried out my investigation and found out that you are the daughter of Mr. Crown, I sent a messenger to your house but your mom intercepted it, I doubt if my message got to your father, two weeks ago, I heard on the news that your father had passed away.”

The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned gloomy. The air in the room became stiff and too hot for me to breathe properly. My mind raced through different dark scenarios, and I tried to shove it away but I couldn't.

“ You are joking right?” I asked, my voice filled with fear of the worst.

“ There's no better way to deliver this news to you Elsie, I'm sorry but your dad is dead.” Timothy let out.

Without a second thought, I reached out for my phone and ordered a taxi. I removed the IV from my hand and just as I was about to head to the door, Timothy stopped me,

“ Elsie, you can't go anywhere now. You are not strong enough to step out,” he suggested as he noticed my attempt to leave.

“ Please take care of Isabella, I will be back shortly.” I pleaded, ignoring his advice. I needed to see for myself, if my dad was truly dead then I needed to see his grave.

“ I will ask the driver to go with you, please, be careful.” He said, genuine concern lacing through his voice.

His words struck a chord, making it difficult for me to refuse. With a nod of gratitude, I agreed and

reluctantly canceled the taxi I had ordered earlier and left with the driver.

The drive was a silent one. I hoped and prayed in my heart that it was Emilia who had died, maybe Timothy misunderstood the news and assumed it was my dad who died. After what seemed like forever we arrived at what used to be my home, the same place I was cast away from.

Walking towards the door, my knees grew weak. A hollow emptiness gnawed at my stomach, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Am I ready for what awaited me inside? The unknown weighed heavily upon me, but I pushed forward, fueled by determination.

I wished I had prepared myself for the sight I saw immediately. I pushed the door open, and my jaw dropped at the sight of Emilia and Irene having a good time together with some people.

They were drinking and laughing loudly,

“ Who are all of you and what are you doing here?” I inquired, my voice trembling with anguish.

The visitors turned around, apology and confusion evident in their eyes. One after the other, they all set down the glass of champagne they held.

They all looked at me perplexed,

“ We just purchased CROWN HOUSE OF FASHION, we are only here to finish the paperwork and celebrate. Do you have a problem with that young lady?” one of the guests finally managed to speak.

“ What?!” I exclaimed, all my strength flew out through the window as I found myself on the cold floor.

“That's my mom's fashion house, you know she cherishes that brand so much. How dare you sell it out without my permission!” I added.

“ Please excuse my daughter, Mr. Gomez, She did not take the news of her father's death lightly, as a matter of fact, she has been hospitalized in a mental institute. I'm pretty sure she escaped, don't worry, I will take it up from here.” Emilia said, pretending to be nice in front of those who didn't know her.

“ Mr Gomez?” I murmured, Isn't he Irene’s father-in-law?

“ Oh… I'm sorry for your tragic loss young lady,” Mr Gomez said, directing his attention to me.

“ Then for now we will let you deal with your daughter Emilia.” one of the guests who was together with Mr Gomez added before making his way to the door.

The moment they were all out of sight, Emilia snapped at me, she bent low and gripped my hair tightly, pulling my head backward roughly, making me scream in pain.

“ What are you doing here? I told you not to ever step your foot in this house!” Emilia yelled.

“ Why are you trying to sell my mother's fashion house, you have no right to do so.” I retorted.

“ I have every right darling,” she replied and dissolved into an evil laughter

“Your father transferred all his fortune to me before dying,” she added and I knew she was lying. This house and the fashion house belong to my mother, How could my dad transfer everything to Emilia, leaving me with nothing, I guess he despised me more than I imagined when he found out I was not his biological child.

“ Lies!!! That's the only thing you are good at, lies Emilia…

A hot slap reverberated on my left cheek before I could complete my statement, I looked up and saw Irene staring daggers at me.

“Don't talk to my mother like that.” Irene spat

I cried bitterly, feeling helpless, “ You and your mother are both evil. But I will tell you what, this is the only thing you can do to me, hit me all you like but you can never break me!” I shouted. Spitting blood out of my mouth because of where Irene had hit me earlier.

Emilia took slow steps and headed to where I was lying on the floor, with an evil grin curled at the end of her lips, she kicked me hard on my stomach. I let out an excruciating howl, but that didn't stop my evil stepmother from hitting me on my stomach.

“That's for stepping your feet inside this house even after my warning,” Emilia said.

I closed my eyes due to the unbearable pain, waiting patiently and mentally preparing myself for another blow or slap that never came. When I managed to open my eyes, both of them were gone.

After several failed attempts to pick my body from the ground, I reached for my phone and dialed Brad’s number. Luckily he picked up and came to my rescue.

Brad arrived, helped me get on my feet, and supported me as we walked to the car. When we got outside, I took a final glance at the house I grew to know as my home. It hurt so much that I won't be part of this family anymore. But I made one promise to myself, I will be back, I will make sure I make every single soul who put me through this hell pay.

I will be back to take revenge on anyone who tried to wound and stab my heart. I will make sure I take everything g away from them.

*******

SIX YEARS LATER…

“I can't wait to have you back home my dear,” Timothy Chukule could be heard from the other side of the line.

“ It took me a lot of effort to convince you, but see, it was worth it.” He sounded excited.

I just bagged my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, top of the class at Hilltop.

“ Yes, Timothy. All thanks to you” I said and rolled my eyes even though he was not close and couldn't see me.

“ How is my little princess doing,” I inquired about Isabella,

“ She's fine, just that she misses you. I'm proud of you Elsie, how you managed to pull it off, taking care of Isabella and studying. You are a strong woman and I'm sure your parents will be proud of you wherever they are.” Timothy said, sounding very proud of the woman I have become.

He has been like a father to me and I could feel warmth through his voice over the phone.

“ All thanks to you, now I have to hang up, the flight assistant is glaring at me. I will see you at the airport in due time.” I said before hanging up.

I smiled at my phone. Isabella and Timothy flew home two days ago immediately after my graduation party while I stayed back for the after-party and others, I owed myself a bit of fun after studying for five years. It has only been two days without Isabella but I miss her so much and couldn't wait to hold her in my arms again. I wished I hadn't sent her home earlier.

Suddenly someone brushed me against my arm, making me flinch and putting a halt to my thoughts.

“ Sorry Miss, I didn't mean to touch you.” the husky voice of a man sitting on the chair next to me said, knocking every bit of air out of my lungs and sending electrifying signals all over my body.

A few minutes ago he was not seated here, it was a mature lady. Where did she go and what the fuck is he doing here?

“ Miss, are you okay? You look sick,” the handsome man asked again, this time around with concern, making my ability to breathe vanish away.

“ Oh my God! What should I do? This man was Isabella’s father!”