Chapter 60: Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Elysia stared at Fenwick’s retreating back for a long time .

When he finally disappeared from view , she turned her gaze to the scattered photos and papers at her feet .

The chaos of the scene mimored her life – an abandoned , stagnant pool , loathed and forgotten by all .

After a moment of stillness , she crouched down to pick up the so – called evidence , murmuring to herself , “ Maybe … maybe Dad … or the police officer will believe me … ”

She faltered on the word “ Dad , hesitating briefly before substituting it with another term .

Fenwick , catching that single syllable , froze as if struck by lighting .

His face twisted in anguish as he turned to Torin .

Fenwick said , “ No … It wasn’t just me .

It was Dad too .

I remember back during their parent – teacher conferences , Dad would only ever show up for Rowena .

And Elysia’s desk … those carved words were so obvious .

How could he not have known if he had sat there evEN DIKE ”

“ So what , Fenwick ? ” Torin’s accusatory glare bore down on him .

“ Dad couldn’t tell right from wrong , and you decided to follow in his footsteps ? Is that your excuse ? ”

Fenwick clenched his fists , his frustration boiling over into a venomous retort .

“ Oh , and you’re any better , Tonin ‘ You went off to college and barely came back .

Even when you did , you only ever brought gifts for Rowena .

You’re no different from me .

What right do you have to lecture me ? ”

As his voice cracked into a hoarse rasp .

Fenwick’s anger dissolved into despair .

It was all of them .

Together , they had destroyed the kind and gentle girl who had once been their sister .

They had turned Elysia into someone cold , selfish , and vindictive – a woman the world now saw as a murderer .

They had ignored her p

pleas , indulged Rowena’s every whim , and turned a blind eye to Rowena’s jealousy and cruelty .

“ Enough … ” Torin rubbed his swollen , bloodshot eyes .

Ever since the incident with the admission ticket , he had avoided Elysia , refused to meet her gaze , and taken steps to distance himself from her completely .

He had even purchased an apartment near Stoneford University just to avoid coming home .

And when he did come back , he made sure to bring Fenwick and Rowena along , excluding Elysia entirely .

“ I’m the worst big brother , ” Torin muttered , his voice trembling with self – loathing

The room fell into a heavy silence .

Even Stellan refrained from making a snide remark about their “ brotherly love .

”

“ A snake ! ” Rowena’s shrill scream shattered the quiet , her voice piercing through the a

She stood at the bottom of the staircase , pointing with a trembling finger at Greenie , who was slowly slithering up the steps .

Fenwick , standing nearby , turned sharply at the commotion .

.

“ A snake ? ” he repeated , his expression twisting with surprise before morphing into concern .

He immediately placed himself between Rowena and the serpent , his protective instincts kicking in .

“ Don’t worry , Rowena .

I’ll kill it .

”

Elysia’s heart sank the moment she heard Rowena’s

Without thinking , she dropped the papers she had just gathered and bolted down the stairs .

Her pulse pounded in her ears , each step feeling like a desperate race against time .

But it was too late .

As Elysia reached the second – floor landing , she froze .

Her breach hitched , her eyes widened in horror , and she could only stare in shock at the scene before her .

There , under Fenwick’s foot , lay Greenie , no longer moving .

Time seemed to stand still for a brief monsent , broken only by the faint witch of the little snake’s tail .

“ Don’t Fenwick , don’t step on it Please , don’t

on’t step on in El

on in Elysia screamed , her voice echoing through the house .

But Rowena’s voice came faster , drowning our Elysia’s desperate pleas .

“ Fenwick , I’m scared ! Why is it still moving ? ”

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Chapter 60

Her cries spurred Fenwick into action .

With a final , decisive motion , he stomped down hard .

The sound of Greenie’s body breaking beneath his foot was sickening .

Blood spurted out , pooling on the white marble floor in a vivid , crimson stain .

“ Not Elysia let out a pained cry from the depths of her soul , falling to her knees .

Pashing Fenwick’s stunned feet aside , she cradled Greenie’s lifeless body in her trembling hands

The grief was so intense she could hardly breathe .

At that moment , she felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces , mirroring the broken body of her beloved companion .

“ I’m sorry …… .

I’m so sorry , Greenie … I should have locked the door … she whispered through ragged breaths .

Elysia replayed the events in her mind – how she had rushed back to grab the evidence to show Fenwick .

In her haste , she had forgotten to lock the door .

Greenie , her clever Greenie , had always been so smart … so protective of her and so full of love .

How could it not figure out how to open a door ? How could it not resist looking for me ? And yet , how could it not escape ? How could this have happened ? Elysia thought .

Elysia’s eyes turned a vivid , blood – red , as if they would begin bleeding at any moment

Fenwick’s face twisted in surprise at her expression , but it was quickly replaced by anger .

He glared at her and , with an accusatory tone , said , “ Elysia , don’t tell me you were planning to use the snake to scare Rowena again .

”

There was no question in his voice , only condemnation , as if he had already convicted her of malicious intent .

Elysia wanted to believe this was all a nightmare , that she would wake up and find everything as it was before

“ You truly are heartless .

To cry this much over a beast ! Yet when you hurt Rowena .

I never saw you so distraught , Fenwick said coldly , his words striking Elysia like a hammer , forcing her to face the tragic reality .

“ Fenwick , enough ! ” Elysia’s voice was firm , her body trembling as she clutched Greenie’s lifeless body .

This was my friend , not some beast .

It never tried to harm anyone .

Why did you have to destroy it ? ”

Fenwick opened his mouth to retort , but before he could , Elysia Iet out a bitter laugh that silenced him

“ Is it just because Rowena’s afraid of it ? ” she asked , her voice filled with quier derision

“ If she likes something , you’ll go to any lengths to get it for her – my room , my dolls , even my mother’s keepsakes .

And anything she fears , anything she dislikes , you all remember it so well .

You go out of your way to remove it , to make sure it never crosses her path again .

Even if it means tearing apart this entire house , Elysa aid .

Fenwick’s brows furrowed deeply , his disgust clear as he snapped back .

“ You’re still hung up on Rowena living in your room ! Elysia , I never realized just how petty , selfish , and vindictive you arr

Elysia bit her lip hard , her teeth sinking into the tender flesh .

When she finally closed her eyes , a single tear , red as blood , slid down her cheek .

Ye when she reopened them , the redness was gone .

Her gaze was clear and resolute , as though all her pain and confusion had been burned away .

Cradling Greenie’s blood – streaked body , her uniform stained with its blood .

Elysia smiled faintly at Femrick .

It was a smile of quiet surrender .

“ Rowena hates me too , ” she said softly , her voice calm , almost devoid of emotion .

Fenwick and Rowena both looked at her in confusion , but Elysia continued .

“ So why don’t you all just make me disappear too ? That way , everyone will be happy .

Rowena’s lips curved into a subtle , satisfied smirk – just enough to escape Fenwick’s notice .

His expression , on the other hand , turned grim in an

instant .

Meanwhile , Fenwick Drayton’s expression instantly darkened .

“ Disappear ? What are you talking about , Elysia ! ” he demanded , his voice shaking slightly .

“ You really think those photos you brought , the accusations of bullying and holding onto that beast , using death as some kind of bargaining chip , will suddenly absolve you of everything you’ve done

“ Do you really think we’ll forget your mistakes and make you the center of attention ?”

“ And Rowena hates you ? Since when ! I think you’re delusional ,” Fenwick spat , his voice rising as his composure frayed .

But his anger faltered when he saw the serene smile on Elysia’s face .

A strange uncase began to creep into his chest .

Without another word , he grabbed Rowena’s hand and dragged her upstairs , eager to escape Elysia’s presence .

10:38 AM

Chapter 60

As they ascended .

Elysia could still hear their conversation :

“ Rowena , guess what ? Today on set , I ran into a few celebrities you used to adore .

I even got their autographs for you – do you like them ? ”

“ Really ? Thank you , Fenwick ! You’re the best – I love you

the most ! ”

Oh my god , it’s true .

Fenwick goes out of his way to give Rowena everything she wants .

But what about Elysia What has she ever gotten ! ]

Don’t forget the doll she had .

It was smashed to pieces by Rupert .

]

[ Elysia finally found a second treasure in Greenie , and Fenwick killed it underfoot .

I’m scared of snakes too , but this one I don’t know why , but I actually liked it .

)

[ Fenwick , who’s really delusional here ? Acting like the world revolves around protecting Rowena Are you in love with her or something ? ]

You make a good point .

There’s no blood relation between them .

Maybe Torin’s the same .

Why else would he treat Rowena so well ? I

Torin , seeing the comments , quickly denied it .

Tve always thought of Rowena as a little sister .

To be honest , when she was younger my relationship with her wasn’t all that great …

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