Beyond the Family's Shadow

Three days later, the air in Vane Manor's sprawling dining room was thick enough to choke on.Elara sat at the far end of the long, opulent table – the place for the unwanted.Her face was still paper-white, the tell-tale sign of anemia from all that blood loss, her lips drained of color.She and Serena were discharged from the hospital just this morning.The rest of the family piled into the waiting car and sped off, leaving Elara with nothing but a shared bike.If Dante hadn't sensed something was off and doubled back for her, she might not even be here for dinner.Yet, when they got home, her mother scolded her for not bringing Serena a recovery gift from the hospital.Never mind that she was the one who'd had her blood drained for three days.Elara’s heart finally turned to ash.She wanted to explain, but the family just carried on, seating themselves and starting the meal, completely ignoring her.Her father, at the head of the table, sliced into his medium-rare steak with silver

Dante’s eyes locked onto the packed suitcase, and his gut twisted.He spoke, his voice a low rumble."Elara. Where do you think you're going?""Sketching."Elara lied, her face a mask, meeting Leo's suspicious gaze head-on."Professor recommended Newport upstate for a sketching trip. Course requirement. I need these supplies.""Absolutely not!"Her father, reclined on the sofa, shot the idea down without a second thought."Put your things back. Serena's changing seasons, easily allergic. She could need a transfusion any minute. You're not going anywhere. You'll stay home, on standby."Her mother chimed in, snatching Elara's backpack. It hit the coffee table with a loud thud, spilling her passport."I'll keep your passport safe. If you leave, what about your sister? Who gives her blood? You're trying to hurt your sister!"Dante stood by, straightening his cuffs. His tone was deceptively mild, his words steel."Elara, be sensible. This is family duty. Once Serena is stable, I'll take you

The intense pain made Elara gasp, but she didn't cry out, not even a flinch.She just looked at Dante quietly.This man who once promised to protect her from any harm, who vowed to shield her from all storms, was now roughly handling her, his anger so palpable it felt like he wished he could choke the life out of her, all for another woman's lie."Get out."A tall male nurse, assigned by Julian, stepped in front of Elara like a wall.His face was grim, muscles tense. He spoke to Dante, "This is the ICU, sir. Please show some respect. Otherwise, I'll call security to have you thrown out."Dante froze for a moment, seemingly surprised that an outsider would dare to stop him.He pointed at Elara, his finger trembling."Elara, she's your own sister! How could you be so cruel, capable of even pushing her down the stairs!""She fell on her own," Elara's voice was hoarse, defending herself.She knew it was useless to explain. It always had been."Still lying! You're a liar!" Dante shoved his

The punishment didn't last.At the crucial moment, Serena suddenly "fainted" right on cue.The whole family's attention instantly shifted. Doctors, nurses – it was chaos.Elara, enduring the sharp pain, retreated to her room.She pulled out her phone. There was an unread message from an encrypted number, a set of coordinates."Three days from now, midnight. The last boat at Pier 24. Bring your people, the rest is on me. – J"Three more days.Three days, and she'd be free.The next day, Dante arrived.He held a gold-embossed invitation."Elara, good news."He sat by the bed, reaching out to touch her hair. She turned her head, avoiding his hand.He awkwardly withdrew his hand, holding up the card."The All-American Young Painters' Gold Award. The committee just notified you."It was the highest honor in the art world, a dream for countless young artists.In her past life, Elara had been locked up at home, "sick," missing the award ceremony. Dante had pulled strings, and the award had be

The wind on the docks was fierce, carrying the salt and the smell of being free.A slick, all-black superyacht sat low at Berth 24.The Thorne family crest was stamped on its hull.A blood-red rose with a sword twisted around it, catching the cold moonlight.Julian stood on the deck, his black trench coat snapping in the night wind, like he owned the damn night.He watched Elara run towards him barefoot, and without a word, he signaled his men with a look to bring her shoes.He, meanwhile, practically flew down the gangplank, took off his coat, and wrapped it tight around her, keeping the cold out."Let's go," his voice was low, but it made Elara feel safe, like never before.The yacht fired up quickly, its roar cutting through the waves as it steered towards the open sea.The city lights of New York and everything that came with them were left behind, shrinking into the distance.Meanwhile, back at the awards ceremony.Serena lost it when the whole mess exploded and just passed out.T