Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I’m done here .

Stellan , let me go or deal with the consequences , Carllan’s voice cut through the tension .

As Rupert Drayton’s son by his second wife Althea , Caellan was five years Elysia’s junior .

Elysia’s mother had died suddenly just two months after she vanished .

Within half a year , Rupert had remarried Altea , bringing her daughter Rowena from her previous marriage into their family .

“ Are you deaf ‘ Release me ! ” Caellan’s voice rose sharply .

“ Looking at this witch turns my stomach .

”

“ Whatever else , she’s Dad’s daughter – your sister , Torin said , his tone sieri .

Bitter laughter escaped Caellan’s throat .

“ Please ! 1 have only one sister – Rowens .

That’s all

His words Tumbled out in a rush of anger .

“ This snake abused Rowena behind closed doors .

She seduced Rowena’s fiance , then drugged her and had people .

.

aack her ! From the day the came back , Rowena cried herself to sleep .

Were you all blind ?”

He’d endured watching only to see her suffer , to feed his hatred .

Now he’d seen enough .

Rowena needed him at the hospital

A strange smile played across Stellan’s lips .

Pasience .

Caellan .

One crucial memory remains .

Then you’re free to go .

”

Something in his tone hinted at a knowledge of an incident involving Carlton , but the young man missed it

To Callan , Stellan simply wanted them to pity Elysia’s tragic past , to excuse her crimes .

“ Never ! Rage colored Garllan’s voice .

“ She could die screaming and I wouldn’t flinch .

You’re just like her ungrateful to the core.

If Rowena hadn’t saved you both , you wouldn’t be standing here .

Perfect match , really ”

Whispers rippled through the studio .

Dr.

Rookwood owes Rowena his life ? Yet he helps Elysia ? That seems wrong ,” one said with disdain .

“ Who said Dr.

Rockwood is helping Elysia As if she’s worthy of his attention ! He’s clearly doing this for science – merely showcasing his research achievements ,” another girl sneered .

Stella’s glance silenced them .

He leaned close to Caellan , voice barely a whisper .

“ Did Rowena really save us Did you see it yourself ? ” He seemed to think the rope wasn’t tight enough , so he tightened it fractionally .

The question and constriction sparked fury .

Cacau’s foor lashed out , leaving a large footprint on Stellan’s pristine lab coal

Stellan brushed at the mark with casual indifference .

“ Let’s continue .

Think

ink of yourselves as investors previewing my work .

Watch , and you’ll leave

as promised

The cameras had cut during his first words , resuming only after Caellan stilled

As the stream continued , a new scene materialized a lush hillside overlooking vast wheat fields .

The livestream chat exploded with reactions .

[ Wait – has she actually escaped ” But why is she just standing there dazed ? ]

[ Run , you idiot ]

Elysia’s breath came in ragged gasps .

Just as viewers expected her to flee , she tamed toward the wheat field .

From his corner of the studio , Caellan watched with growing disgust .

“ Pathetic Can’t even grab freedom when it’s handed to her , he spat , his voice dripping with contempt .

The cameras captured Elysia parting the wheat stalks , revealing two unconscious boys .

Despite their din smeared faces , their expensive clothes marked them as outsiders .

Hold up – she was a quarter mile away .

How’d she spot them ? ]

[ What is she , some kind of superhero “ ]

[ Those boys look weirdly familiar ]

On screen .

Elysia hoisted one onto her back and carried him to a shallow cave .

The smaller boy proved manageable , but the second , towering over her , proved too much .

Her legs buckled .

10:48 AM ch

Chapter 7

A whimper escaped h

her throat as fresh cuts opened on her arms , but she cushioned the boy’s fall with her own body

“ Have to hurry ,” she muttered through gritted teeth .

If those men find them , they’ll end up in chains too she forced herself to stand .

“ Just a little more , Elysia .

You can do this ”

Her legs trembled with each step , her feet sinking into mud , but something deep within drove her forward

[ Watching her had me terrified – cach time she stumbled , I feared that would be the time she wouldn’t get up again )

[ Look at her .

She’s such a good soul – because she knows what it’s like to stand in the raig , she makes sure to shelter others .

]

In the studio , nor viewer’s face had drained of color , eyes widened in shock as they recognized something in the scene

On the projection screens , the memory continued Elysia caught her breath against the cave wall , then suddenly turned and vanished without a backward glance .

.

The tension that had gripped the studio audience visibly dissolved .

Before anyone could process what they’d just witnessed , Carllan’s contemptuous voice cut through the moment .

That’s your big reveal ! he sneered .

Comments flooded the chat as soon as Caellan spoke .

It really thought Elysia bad become a better person .

Just putting on a show ]

[ The villagers might have helped .

Not everyone there deals in children .

[

sia raced thro

through the forest at full speed , finally stopping at a

The livestream chat’s speculation died as the memory footage revealed the truth .

Elysia thomy shackri

Ignoring the piercing vegetation , the crouched down and dove in .

drawing gasps from her lips .

The dense , sharp thorns raked across her back and arms , the burning pain

She found the ordinary – looking plant from deep within and yanked in free .

The thorns raked her flesh once more in retreat .

By the time she clutched the plant , her patris were slick with blood – its barbs had buried deep into her flesh .

Yet she smiled through her tears .

“ Perfect.

The younger boy’s burning up – this should break his fever .

”

A breeze sent fire racing through her wounds .

“ Now for water- ” she murmured , heading for a stream .

The mocking comments in the that suddenly stopped scrolling .

In the studio , the earlier whispers and sneers gave way to some unfolded .

to stunned silence as

as the

Torin leaned forward , transfixed by Elysia’s reflection in the stream Cone was the soft , delicate four – year – old – her face already bearing traces of the fourteen – year – old who would eventually come home to them

“ One year changed her this much ? he wondered .

What horrors twisted such a caring child into someone so cold

His heart ached with regret .

If I shown more warmth when she returned , guided her gently , corrected her with patience .

.

perhaps she wouldn’t have lost her way !

Back in the memory , Elysia had returned to the cave with water .

Crouching beside the younger boy , she began carefully wiping the grime from his face .

As the dirt fell away , the revealed features left everyone in the studio speechless .

2/2