Chapter 13
The sickening thud reverberated through Elysiaâs bones , striking her heart like a physical blow .
Her whole body shuddered as she stared in disbelief at her bloodstained hands , the metallic warmth turning her stomach .
â Iâm sorry ⦠Iâm sorry .
.
I didnât mean to ,â she whispered , her voice tiny and broken .
She dropped to her knees , frantically searching the room .
â Aphor .
He has to have a phone , she choked out between sobs but still found nothing .
With no way to call for help , she turned to the window .
The chat erupted with conflicting reactions .
I Classic criminal behavior.
Running away from her crinies .
]
Are you blind ? She clearly acted in self â defensel
Nothing justifies murder .
Period ]
In the studio .
Caellan latched onto the comment .
â So she was already a killer back then , â he said , lip curling with disgust .
â No wonder Mom and Rowena collected her from the police station .
She probably did serious time in juvie â
Miles away , watching through his VR headset as he headed toward the company , Torinâs features darkened with fury .
His brotherâs casual accusation of murder made him itch to turn around and deliver another lesson in respect .
The streamâs focus shifted to the window , where its clean surface reflected Elysiaâs face â hauntingly beautiful even at thirteen .
Smooth skin gleamed beneath crimson streaks where tears cut paths through blood spatter .
The viewers found themselves transfixed by this jarring contrast of beauty and violence , until the glass shattered , fracturing her reflection into countless shards
( Was she always this stunning ! )
Sheâs thirteen , not a child .
But why doesnât she look anything like her photos now ? )
For real , though , with a faer like that , why steal ? Just fire up a stream and watch the money roll in .
[ Must have scarred later â explains the bangs hiding her [ ace ]
[ I donât care about the past .
Iâm Elysiu stan now ! I
The manory
continued to unfold on screen Outside the broken window , Elysia scanned the courtyard frantically .
Lyra had vanished with her precious son , leaving only Odessachained in the cattle pen , a stark reminder of their captivity .
Her earlier screams transformed into relieved laughter at the sight of Elysia climbing through the broken window ,
â Quick , hide behind me before she comes back ! Odessa called out , but Elysis just shook her head , tears streaming .
â I think I killed him ,â Elysia whispered , voice breaking â What do I do ? â She couldnât be certain the man inside was dead , but sheâd never seen so much blood .
Odessaâs heart clenched â sheâd never seen Elysia this vulnerable , like spun glass about to shatter .
That glimpse of fragility beneath Elysiaâs steel exterior sent electricity through Odessaâs veins .
â Donât worry .
If the police come , Iâll take the blame .
â
The words slipped out before Odessa could stop them , but she didnât regret it one bit .
This time , it was her turn to protect this poor girl .
Folice .
The word sparked something in Elysiaâs mind .
Officers were already in the village searching for the cave boy .
If she found them , everything could be set right .
Even if it meant she would face prison ,
Odessa would be free .
The injured boy would get medical care .
The entire trafficking ring could be exposed ,
â Wait here ,â Elyssa said , hope breaking through her tears .
111 be right back ! â
This left Odessa confused but more worried than anything , Meanwhile , the livestream chat started buzzing with malicious speculation .
[ Sure , make Odessa wait here while she saves herself and leaves Odessa to face the music ]
Some gratitude .
Odessa offers to take the fall , and Elysia abandons her to whatever punishment that monster dreams up ]
In the memory , Odessaâs voice cut through Elysiaâs resolve .
â Youâre going to him again , arenât you ? The accusation stopped Elysia cold .
â Three days sneaking out with medicine and food .
Why is he so important to your
Elysiaâs thin shoulders went rigid as Odessa pressed on .
â If you hadnât wasted time on that boy , youâd have gathered enough herbs .
Lyra would never have let that disgusting man touch you .
Just run , Elysia .
Donât look bark â
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Chapter 13
The revelation in Odessaâs words sparked immediate outrage in the chat
Three days ? What happened to Rowenaâs promised police rescue ? Carlland be dead without Elysial ]
II canât believe I fell for Caellanâs lies .
]
[ This is on
is on Caellan .
His presence destroyed her innocence .
Her suffering traces back to him .
]
My precious girl .
Anyone who cared for me like that , Iâd die protecting them .
]
Fresh out of high school , Caellan lacked his brothers empire of employees and followers .
As the charâs tide of public opinion crashed against him , he found himself with barely a ripple of support .
â No , Rowena wouldnât do that to me Callan uttered through clenched teeth .
He recalled during his illness , someone had nursed him , fed him medicine and water , but who ! The memory slipped through his fingers like smoke .
He only remembered waking to Rowenaâs face in the hospital .
So , he naturally saw the person caring for him as Rowena , instead of Elysia
Eyes locked on the screen , he searched desperately for proof of Elysiaâs cruelty , more focused than ever before .
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