Se connecterAfter Cora and Vera are fast asleep in their room, I walk down the grand stairs and make a cup of plain coffee for myself.I’ll be honest—I feel so much relieved knowing how easily Cora accepted Vera, and vice versa.Now that the moment has passed, I realize I had been worried for nothing.I should never have doubted my own daughter. I mean, when has she ever really let me down or made my life difficult? If anything, she has been absolutely amazing and understanding all this time.I still cannot believe so much has happened in the last few hours. Not only did I learn about having another daughter, but we also brought her back from that hell to us.It almost feels like a dream—a twisted dream that somehow makes me hopeful for the future.The only thing that worries me now is Vera’s indifference and lack of emotional investment in literally anything around us. It’s as if, even though she’s present in this moment with us, she’s not really there. Like she’s disconnected, and nothing we do
[Elara]In the rush of bringing Vera home, I completely forgot about how Cora would take all this in.I didn’t exactly forget her—I just never stopped to think how this new piece of information—this new reality of ours—would affect her mentally and emotionally.And now, when she’s standing in front of Vera, looking all shades of confused, I realize maybe there was a way to do this more… thoughtfully.Thankfully, Lucas and Nora are here, ready to jump in to help if need be.“Cora,” I call her name gently, pulling her attention toward me.She doesn’t disappoint, though I can tell she literally forces herself to drag her gaze away from Vera.“Sweetheart,” I say, putting my hands on her shoulders, smiling softly. “We need to tell you something.”Cora blinks, cocking her head to the side. “What is it, Mommy? And who is she?” she asks, pointing at Vera.I swallow, already regretting not planning this moment when I had the time. I feel so anxious now, afraid I might end up hurting her if I f
[Elara]The flight back to Sun Tech City was just as long as it had been when the trip was the other way around.But somehow, it felt longer. Not because I was bored out of my mind or had nothing better to do, but because I was tired of looking at Vera and meeting a dead end every time I tried to talk to her.Conversations with her were always one-sided. She only responded to whatever I asked, did what I told her to do and the way I told her to do it. Other than that, she had no personality of her own. She didn’t bounce around the private plane the way Cora would have. She didn’t ask millions of questions. She didn’t smile or giggle or point at anything that caught her eye, but it didn’t make sense, because it was something new for her.She did nothing like that.Just sat in her seat, eyes either glued to the screen in front of her, or tightly shut, as if she was catching up on some much-needed sleep.I sighed deeply into my chest, peeling my gaze off her after what felt like hours, a
[Elara]Even long after I returned to my hotel room, Griffin’s words kept echoing in my head.“You’re a victim, too,” he had said, and that too as fiercely and protectively as possible. It was as if he wanted me to brand those words in my brain, as if he wanted me to believe them—believe him—with everything I had.And I did. Or at least, I wished I could with just as much confidence as he did.But there was one thing that he wasn’t completely wrong about, though.There was no denying that it was the Blackwoods who were solely responsible for this—for turning my Vera into this robotic six-year-old girl who didn’t even know she was just a child.And that made me angry. So damn angry.In my heart, I knew I would never forgive them for this. That I would make them pay for what they did to my daughter. That I would make them feel what helplessness and desperation feel like when you’re at someone else’s mercy.When the next morning arrived, and the soft rays of the rising sun filtered throu
[Elara]During the dinner, Vera doesn’t complain about anything. She doesn’t act spoiled or picky or plain disgusted at the sight of something she would rather die than eat.She eats everything I put on her plate. Never questioning. Never doubting. Never making a scene.It’s like watching a robot do something that simply needs to be done, and not because it finds any joy in it.She just eats. Moves her jaw. Blinks. And then repeat.It hurts just looking at her.From across the table, I feel Griffin’s eyes on me. Frowning and probably wondering why I would look like someone who might cry any moment now.Hence, I’m not surprised when he asks me to meet him in his room after Vera goes to sleep.I stand at the door, watching and waiting to see if she needs anything else.When she does nothing but take off her white jacket, fold it neatly, place it on the foot of the bed, and lie down with her eyes immediately shut, I realize there’s nothing I can do to make this situation any better for n
[Elara]After I revealed that I was her mother, Vera’s reaction was nothing but a blink.A blink.That’s all. That’s it.I couldn’t help but stare at her with all the confusion in the world, wondering if there was literally anything that could get her to react like a normal child, a child no more than ten years of age.She was nothing like Cora. That much was obvious.My Cora was bubbly, playful, naughty, yet wise for someone her age.But Vera? Vera was a whitewashed wall. With nothing but one singular emotion painted across her face. The emotion of no emotion at all.At least, that’s how my brain surmised after spending the next twenty minutes with her in the car, while we drove back to the hotel.She didn’t say a word. Not a single word at all. Just sat there with her eyes fixed ahead, interested in nothing but existing.When we entered our room, and Griffin reminded me that we would be leaving in the morning, and I should get some rest, my eyes stayed glued to the back of Vera, onl
[Damon]I stand outside the station, waiting for the lawyers to do their job.“Are you sure about this, sir?” Jordan asks, sounding unsure. “If Madam Blackwood comes to know about this—”“I don’t care what she thinks right now.” Appeasing my mother is the last thing on my mind. “Did you find out an
When I reach the office, Jordan is already waiting for me.“So, how’s the preparation for the anniversary coming along?” I ask as I move behind the desk.“Everything is ready, sir. Just the way you wanted.”I nod, scrolling through my phone.Not text. No calls. Nothing.“Did you find out anything a
[Damon]Everything stops.The music halts. The chatter dies down. All eyes turn toward the entrance where two uniformed officers stand, their expressions grim and impassive.I straighten my tie, forcing myself to walk toward them with my head held high, even though my heart is pounding like a drum
For a full two minutes, I sit frozen in my seat.“Damon? Damon? Can you hear me? Damon!”I jerk awake, blinking too hard—too fast—trying to make sure this is real. I look around, searching for even the smallest hint that this is nothing but a nightmare.But the moment my eyes land on Hannah, my hea







