Chapter 3

3

Because of the accident, Willow stayed home for a few days to nurse her tiny wounds. She was failing most of her classes anyway, so she milked the excuse for all it was worth.

During those days, I tried to leave the house, but my soul was tethered to my mother. I was forced to watch them.

Mother spent her afternoon brewing a bowl of expensive organic Manuka honey tea for Willow. It was a luxury I was never allowed to touch.

She used to hide the high-end supplements and treats in the back of the pantry, terrified I might "steal" them.

We were both her daughters, but we lived in two different worlds.

I remembered when I first came back from the mountains. Mother had been generous back then, trying to make up for lost time.

But my presence made Willow feel like her crown was slipping. She was terrified I'd tell everyone she was the one who abandoned me in the woods.

So, Willow started sabotaging things. She'd ruin Mother's designer bags or delete Dad's work files and pin it all on me.

Slowly, I became the "wild animal" they couldn't domesticate, the "ungrateful brat" everyone whispered about.

Mother pushed open Willow's door, but the room was empty.

She called out a few times before realizing Willow was actually in my room.

"Willow? What are you doing in Elora's room?"

I followed Mother's gaze and saw my small sanctuary had been turned upside down. My things were scattered everywhere.

On the floor, lying in the dirt, was the only photo I had of myself and Silas in the mountains.

The man who had actually saved my life.

Willow looked up, her eyes brimming with fake tears. "Mom, I really want this room. Can I move in here?"

This room was the one thing Mother gave me when I first returned―the master guest suite.

Willow had thrown a fit back then, but it was the one time Mother had stood her ground for me.

Seeing Willow cry now, Mother immediately rushed over to dry her eyes. "Of course, sweetheart. This room is yours. I'll have someone clear out the trash today."

Willow smirked, but quickly masked it. "But where will Elora sleep?"

"I have so much stuff, Mom. One room isn't enough for all my new clothes and gear."

She wasn't just taking my room; she wanted both.

"It's fine," Mother said coldly. "The maid's room in the basement is empty since the housekeeper is on vacation. Elora can stay there."

A cold shiver ran through my spirit. I should have expected it.

In this house, I was treated worse than the staff. At least people spoke to the maid with respect.

To them, I was just a source of frustration and shame.

Willow nodded, satisfied, but then her eyes landed on the photo on the floor.

She picked it up and handed it to Mother. "Mom, isn't this that creepy old man from the woods?"

Mother looked at the photo with pure disgust. "How revolting. I'm certain that old creep was the one who kidnapped her in the first place."

"Only an idiot like Elora would treat a predator like a savior."

Willow gripped the edges of the photo. "Maybe I should just rip it up. It'll help her move on and finally act like a normal person."

Mother actually smiled, reaching out to pat Willow's head. "You're so smart, Willow. She needs to learn who her real family is."

The next second, Willow tore the photo into tiny, jagged pieces right in front of me.

I lunged forward, trying to scream, trying to grab the scraps of my only happy memory, but my hands passed through them like smoke.

I was already dead.

I had tried so hard to love them, but they never even saw me as human.

I could handle the insults directed at me, but hearing them slander Silas made my soul shake with a violent, white-hot rage.