novelxo 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 .
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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 .
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