Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Anger flickered in Torin’s eyes as he watched the harsh comments scroll past .

The earlier detachment in his expression had completely vanished .

“ She never owed me that rescue ” he said , voice hardening .

“ I was her brother .

Protecting her should have been my- “ The words caught in his throat , refusing to emerge .

Fenwick and Caellan stared , startled by this uncharacteristic display of emotion .

“ Torin , remember what she did later , Caellan pressed urgently .

To you , to all of us to Rowena ”

A heavy sigh escaped Torin as memories flooded back .

“ You’re right .

Still , I’ll seek a reduced sentence .

Prison might change her .

”

The memory stream continued its relentless revelation of the past .

On the screen , the kidnapper loomed over Elysia , deliberately slowing his pace as he approached .

Still hoping for rescue ? he sneered .

She lay exhausted on the asphalt , yet her thoughts remained fixed on protecting her brother .

“ Please , take me if you must , but leave my brother

alone

His laughter cut like broken glass .

“ Keep dreaming , brat , ”

He seized her by the neck , lifting her tiny body high .

She thrashed against his grip , finally sinking her teeth into his arm in desperation .

His howl of pain sent the scene spinning violently before darkness claimed it .

The viewers collectively gasped as the visual feed cat to black , leaving them with only audio – a testament to Elysia’s semi – conscious state after the tall .

Through the darkness , her enhanced hearing picked up every sound

“ Shit .

.

a fall from this height .

.

she’s done for Better make a call .

The kidnapper’s voice

A phone’s dial tone pierced the darkness with perfect clarity .

was tight with panic .

[ How does she have such insane hearing Picking up phone calls

sat that distance ? ]

[ She heard everything in the truck too .

[ The producers must be doctoring this footage to make her look sympathetic .

]

The accusations of manipulation hung heavy in the virtual space until a quiet “ No ” from Fenwick drew every eye in the studio .

“ Her hearing was exceptional , he continued , his voice sultening with the memory .

“ Once at home , she told me about a neighbor quarreling with his wife , Said she could hear a baby crying .

”

Fenwick drew a measured breath .

I called the police .

They found the potential abuse victims – in a house half a mile away .

I never told anyone but our parents

[ That’s impossible ! I can barely hear someone thirty feet away .

]

[ So she saved two more people with this gift ? )

Fenwick’s fists clenched unconsciously .

Yes , he thought bitterly .

She saved Torin and those strangers with that gift .

Then used the same ability to destroy me and Rowena ‘

Seeing Fenwick’s distant expression , Caellan delivered a sharp kick .

“ Don’t let her fool you like she did Torin .

Her suffering is nothing compared to Rowena’s

“ Why should this witch walk free while Rowena les comatose ? ” he added venomously .

Displeasure and disdain contorted Fenwick’s features as he was kicked .

“ Enough ” he said .

“ I know exactly what kind of person she is .

My pity has its limits, and it certainly doesn’t extend to her ”

The sharp exchange in the studio was suddenly interrupted by a new voice from the past .

A woman’s shrill voice cut through their headphones “ What are you doing ? The target’s still at the party ! ”

“ Instead you grabbed Torin and his sister ? At Torin’s birthday celebration – are you trying to get caught ? ” The woman’s voice rose with each word .

The chat erupted with realization .

Who was the real target ! ]

[ Caellan wasn’t born yet .

It must

been Fenwick )

1/2

10.

43 AM

Chapter 3

Thank god Fenwick was spared ! For once , I’m grateful to her .

[ Amen

In the studio , Fenwick stared at the flood of supportive messages from his fans , each word landing like a physical blow .

His certainties about Elysia , carefully maintained over the years , began to crumble .

His throat constricted painfully as a terrible realization dawned .

If they hadn’t taken the wrong child .

.

” He forced the thought away ,

‘ Pointless to dwell on ifs , just her bad luck .

”

Through their headphones , the kidnapper’s voice returned , growling into his phone with growing frustration .

“ Blame the kid – she overheard us.

Luckily , I spotted that gaudy feather clip , or she’d have dipped away Planned to knock her out and grab the other one , but her brother complicated

things ”

The voice on the other end replied after three seconds of silence , “ The boy works too .

Any Drayton heir will do .

”

He … got away .

The girl rolled down an embankment ,” the kidnapper reported reluctantly .

“ When I shined my phone light , all I found was blood on the rocks and grass .

I think she’s gone ”

The chat exploded in horror ,

That damn feather clip ! Who put it on her ? ]

How much blood did she lose ! God … ]

[ I can’t hate her right now .

Save that for when we see her later crimes .

]

Among the outraged viewers , Fenwick sat frozen in the studio , mouth slightly parted , throat desert – dry .

The memory stream had unearthed a detail he’d buried deep in his consciousness , something he hadn’t allowed himself to think about for years .

Even the dismissive Carllan muttered , “ What awful taste .

Stellar’s questioning look prompted a hasty explanation from Caellan .

“ She wore that tacky thing to steal attention at Torin’s party .

Her vanity got him kidnapped

Exactly ! Already so manipulative .

)

[ She was four !

[ Evil shows early .

Her attention – seeking got Torin hurt

The accusations in the chat continued to pile up until Fenwick could no longer stay silent .

“ No ,” he said , his voice emerging like rustling paper .

“ That hair clip … I put it there ”

He’d chosen it deliberately , knowing she hated fuzzy textures .

She’d spent the whole day focused on their older brother , ignoring Fenwick .

‘ But she’d worn it without complaint , hadn’t she ? The thought pierced through Fenwick’s defenses like a blade .

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