Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The memory stream advanced , shocking everyone watching .

Elysia sprinted straight toward Lyra at full speed , grabbing her sleeve .

The woman , not even registering who was rushing at her , jerked back instinctively and shoved her to the ground .

Only after recognizing who it was did Lyra dane step forward , yanking Elysia up by her hair .

“ Where’s the other one ? ” She twisted harder at Elysia’s pained whimper .

“ Speak up before 1 kill your

Through tears , Elysia pointed with trembling fingers .

“ That way .

”

The chat immediately erupted with hate comments , taking her apparent betrayal as confirmation of everything they’d suspected .

The viewers fury knew no bounds now ,

Lyra released her grip , following Elysia’s pointing finger across the empty landscape .

No one could be seen in that direction , but the other directions revealed nothing either .

Unable to be certain , she sneered , V

d .

You

expect me to believe some random direction you’re pointing at ?

wear It’s true – Odessa ran that way ” Elysia cried out desperately , clutching her throbbing head .

Lyra didn’t respond at that moment .

“ ….

I came running to tell you this specially ” Her voice dropped to barely a whisper , making people wonder if that was guilt over her betrayal or something else .

“ Really , I’m certain – it’s to the west .

I saw it in Ethan’s book before , and that’s where I go mushroom picking on the mountain , ” she added .

The hostile comments stuttered so silence .

Wait .

West is opposite from where she told Odesss to run

She must be confused .

Or lying – she can’t know where the road is ]

If she’s lying , why did Odessa escape She’s buying time .

[ Minutes have passed .

Without this distraction , they’d have caught Odessa already : ]

In the studio present – day Odessa watched as the comments suddenly turned against her version of events .

She felt stranded on a lonely island .

surrounded by a surging ocean of malice with nowhere to escape .

“ No that’s impossible ?” she whispered frantically .

“ She’s getting what she deserves – she must have given wrong directions ! She admitted wanting to betray me , she said it herself ”

The projection returned to the past .

Lyra stared suspiciously at Elysia’s tear – streaked face , then dragged her back to the carte pen by her ear , a timid Erhan trailing behind .

“ Stay put until I return to deal with you , ” she snapped .

“ Ethan , watch her – 1 be back soon .

”

Locked back in , Elysia curled on her tiny bed , nursing her arm that throbbed from being dragged .

As time crept by a glimmer of victory seemed near .

Carefully climbing down , she retrieved a worn notebook and a short pencil stub from under the bed .

The early pages were packed with writing , flipping past rapidly .

Even in those brief flashes , everyone could instantly recognize those familiar words

“ Dad ” “ Mom , ” “ Brothers ” and “ Miss you ”

Each character seemed to overflow with Elysia’s endless yearning for her family , demolishing Odessa’s portrayal of her as a heartless girl .

Her childish writing filled a fresh page : [ Run coward the sunrise , Odessa .

The road’s there – I’ve seen it from the peak .

Hope you can get home safely .

Don’t forget to call the police .

Tell my parents I’m alive .

I miss them every moment .

I once told you their number .

If you’ve forgotten it , just bring help .

These people must face justice .

I’ll pray for the reunion .

If I’m gone when you return , don’t grieve .

I’ll find my way back , wherever they sell me .

Because we’re sisters forever .

111 find you … ]

Her tears blurred the final words , a harbinger of what lay ahead .

[ I’m literally sobbing .

My mom thinks I’ve lout it ]

[ Odessa did you even try calling the poler ! ]

In the studio , Odessa crumpled to the floor , her sharp gaze dulling to emptiness and her lips trembling lightly .

“ No … this can’t be … ” A surge of complex emotions welled up within her , each one vying for dominance .

The truth crushed her defenses – Elysia never betrayed her .

Instead , she’d sacrificed herself , deliberately misleading their captors to ensure Ode’s escapе .

10:49 AM

Chapter IS

“ I thought she informed on me.

” Odessa’s voice barely carried .

“ I thought she wanted to stay , so I .

.

I never called the police ”

Her voice grew softer , yet every word cut through the silence with crystal clarity .

In the end , she was the one who’d broken their prombe … all because of a moment of bitter resenimeni .

And because of that .

Elysia never made it home .

The traffickers stayed free , and who knows how many more kids could have been saved if she hadn’t been so welsh

Some friend you are .

Odeva ? Why make promises you couldn’t keep ! ]

[ Where’s your conscience ! Think of all the children who suffered because of your silence !

[ God .

I almost wish Elysia had been selfish , saved herself .

Better than trusting someone who’ll break such a sacred vow .

]

[ This betrayal probably created the cold , calculating Elysia we know today .

The bitter irony of the comment hung in the air as Odessa’s sobs echoed through the studio .

Her composure finally shattered completely .

“ Em sorry , ” she choked out .

“ Why didn’t you find me , Elysiz Que explanation — I would have believed you ?

Stellan’s laugh cut like glass .

“ Would you ? Think harder , Ms.

Merri .

Are you sure she never tried

Odessa’s sobs caught in her throat at those words .

At that moment , all her uvaal confidence crumbled away , leaving her looking small and

vulnerable

“ Sheshe tried to find me ! ” she whispered , almost to herself .

Forcing herself to dig through her memories , she started piecing together everything about her time with Elysia .

Stellan turned to his computer , fingers flying across the keyboard .

The memory projection faded as security foutage appeared on screen , showing a plainly dressed girl at a mansion gate , pressing the intercom .

“ Who is it ?” Odessa’s voice crackled through the intercom

The gul’s posture lifted at the familiar voce , “ Odessa , it’s me Elyua ! I finally-

“ Get low .

The rejection came instantly , cuting of any explanation .

Though deflated , the girl pressed again .

After an eternity , it finally answered .

“ Odessa , have you forgotten ! We used to

“ save it .

I know who you are .

Want to stay with those traffickers ? Stay forever .

Why came here ?” Odessa’s voice came through

“ Please , you’ve misunderstood ? Just let me explain – But Elysia’s pleas met silence .

Perhaps this moment marked their bond’s final shattering

“ Remember now , Ms.

Merri ? ” Stellan shut the video , his smile holding no warmth .

As the memories surfaced , Odessa realized with horror that she’d turned Elysia away twice .

Each cruel word she’d said hack then now felt like a punch to her gul

Nine years ago , she’d called security to remove Elysia from her gate .

[ Talk about hypocrisy .

Claims she’d listen but wouldn’t even let Elysia speak .

]

[ Here we go – she’s totally gonna blame Elysia for “ not explaining clearly enough ” Classic move, always has an excuse ready .

]

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