Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“ Rowena’s right .

Fenwick broke his silence in the studio .

“ Why get involved ? Self – preservation comes first .

”

-The phrase “ self – preservation ” drew a sharp look from Torin .

A small , helpless child could pose no threat whatsoever .

Carllan’s rejection made sense – the blood ties were distant .

But Fenwick was Elysia’s own brother .

“ Have you forgotten her kindness , Fenwick Torin’s voice roughened with memory .

“ Every toy you demanded , every snack – she gave them all When you shattered that vase , she took your punishment .

Now you defend this ? ”

Fenwick glanced at Torin’s freed hands , wards dying in his throat .

That carlier slap had clearly left its mark .

Seeing Fenwick falter , Caellan leaped to the defense .

“ How could Rowena know she wasn’t lying ! Her sketchy look probably raised red flags .

She brought it on herself

[ Sull making excuses ? Now it’s about looks ? Has he even seen Elysia’s face ! ]

[ Back off Our Rowena needs no excuses ! just look at Elysia’s mugshot ]

On the screen , the confrontation took a dark turn .

Rowena suddenly lunged forward , gripping Elysia’s arm .

“ Elysia ! From the Drayton family ! Rupert Drayton’s daughter !”

ysia’s tears .

“ Yes ! My dad’s number is— ”

Hope blazed through Elysia’s i

“ I’ll never help you ! Rowena shoved her toward the cave mouth once , twice , three times

A near – vertical slope waited outside , slick with recent rain .

Elysta dropped to her knees , clutching Rowena’s skin .

“ Stop ! The fall will kill me ! ” she pleaded

Kill That simple word sparked something dark in Rowena, malice spreading like ink in water

As Elysia inched from the edge , Rowena crouched slown .

One finger pressed against Elysia’s forehead as her lips curved .

“ Then die ”

It was only a gentle push , but Rowena’s twisted smile made Elysia’s grip loosen .

As she tried to turn .

Rowena’s kick sent her over .

Elysia’s small , frail body bounced down the steep , rocky slope , each thudding impact bringing fresh .

agony

Above , Rowena’s triumphunt voice echoed “ I’m no longer Rowena Scout from now on.

I’m taking the Drayton name their only daughter .

”

As consciousness faded , Elysia’s bloodied fingers trembled while she desperately struggled to grasp the branch .

The sight of red coating her hand sent terror flooding through her .

Her arm dropped as darkness claimed her .

The chair screeched across the studio floor as Turin suddenly stood .

The revelation hit him like a physical blow

Until twelve .

Rowena had kept her birth father’s surname .

Only after returning with Callan and Stellan did she beg to change it , crying about feeling different from the family

But if this was why she wanted to change her family name .

Torin couldn’t reconcile this cruel child on the screen with the sister he’d cherished .

His precious line sister had tried to murder the one he’d failed so completely .

The livestream chat exploded .

[ Karma’s a bitch .

No wonder Elysia pushed her down those stairs ]

[ Where are all the ‘ our Rowena didn’t know her defenders now ? She even knew the father’s name ! ]

[ Rowena’s just a kid who loves to play – what’s the big deal ? Elysia’s tough enough-

1 – one fall wouldn’t kill her ]

Yes .

That must be it , Fenwick thought desperately , trying to rationalize what he’d just witnessed .

I filled Rowena’s head with too many violent stories .

She grow kinder .

“ Everyone makes mistakes , Fenwick said to Torin .

“ Rowena made just one mistake .

But Elysia ! After everything she’s done ! She’s absolutely beyond our forgiveness I’ll give her three million dollars when she’s free .

Thar cover her therapy .

”

Something sparked in Torin’s eyes .

“ Money – yes ! And dresses , Everything Rowena has , Elysis should have too .

I’ll buy it all now … teach her slowly when she’s home .

Show her love so she’ll stop hurting people .

”

Torin left the studio , muttering to himself .

Caellan started to object , wanting his brother to stay and see more of Elysia’s crimes , but one icy glance from Torin made him pause .

Forget it , Callan thought .

Another slap wasn’t worth it .

Stellan watched Torin leave with a mocking smile .

‘ Breaking already , Torin ?

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10:40 AM

Chapter 9

[ What did Torin mean by that ? Wait .

.

had they only been giving money and clothes to Rowena a

Poor Elysia .

Makes you und

understand I

all this time ?

Let’s be absolutely clear – pushing someone down the stairs is wrong , no matter what And I looked Elysia up : She cheated on her SATS , bullied other students , and had an abortion at sixteen ! Can Torin really fix someone this morally corrupt ? ]

As the heated debate continued in the chat , Fenwick and Caellon watched Torin’s retreating figure with barely concealed envy .

Their own bonds kept them trapped in their chair , forced to face whatever memories Stellan had yet to reveal

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