Chapter 3

Two weeks had gone by.

To everyone else, it was just time.

To Elowen, it was survival.

She sat alone at the side of the garden, her wheelchair half hidden behind tall shrubs, as though the world had quietly pushed her aside. The air was warm, the sky clear, yet everything inside her felt cold and empty. The world continued to move, but she remained trapped in that moment two weeks ago—the moment everything shattered.

Her heart had not healed.

It had only broken into smaller pieces.

She stared ahead blankly, lost in thought. Nights had become unbearable. Sleep came only in short, painful fragments, always filled with memories of Adrian’s voice—his promises, his hands holding hers as he swore never to leave.

If you love me, you should let me go.

His words echoed in her head.

She pressed her fingers into her palm as her chest tightened. That day, she had wished them well and left quietly. Since then, Adrian had not reached out once—not even to ask how she was doing.

She felt like she was slowly dying inside, inch by inch, day by day.

Then—

Laughter drifted into the garden.

Clear. Bright. Alive.

Elowen’s body stiffened instantly. Her chest tightened as she slowly turned her head.

Adrian and Scarlett came into view.

They were running along the garden path, playful and carefree, like two people untouched by pain. Scarlett laughed loudly as she ran ahead, glancing back at Adrian, her eyes shining.

Adrian laughed too.

That sound pierced straight through Elowen’s heart.

She hadn’t heard him laugh like that since the accident.

So this is how it is, she thought bitterly.

She was still struggling to breathe each day, still drowning in pain, while he had already moved on.

Scarlett suddenly slowed down.

Adrian caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Scarlett squealed softly, laughing as she turned in his hold.

Then he kissed her.

Right there.

Under the open sky.

Elowen’s throat tightened painfully. Tears filled her eyes instantly, spilling down her cheeks without permission. She tried to blink them away, but more followed.

Was I ever real to him? she wondered.

She had lost her legs.

She had lost her future.

And now she had lost the only person who ever made her feel chosen and safe.

She lowered her head slowly, staring at her motionless legs.

They were the reason he left her for her stepsister.

Elowen turned her wheelchair and left the garden quietly.

“Happy birthday, Elowen.”

She stopped.

Turning her head, she saw her stepmother, Mrs. Henrietta Whitemere, standing there as though she had been waiting for her. There was a gentle smile on her face.

Elowen blinked.

Only then did it hit her—it was her birthday.

She should have remembered. Scarlett had celebrated her own birthday just two days ago. They were the same age, only two days apart. But Elowen had been too broken to remember.

“Thank you,” she said softly and moved to leave.

“Wait,” Mrs. Whitemere said quickly. “I got a gift for you.”

She brought out a small bag she had been hiding behind her.

Elowen’s heart trembled. She stared at the bag, unsure if she should accept it after everything that had happened. She looked up at Mrs. Whitemere, who still met her gaze with kindness.

Her stepmother had always been kind to her—despite her being a child born from an affair.

Elowen slowly raised her hand, about to take the gift—

When suddenly, another hand snatched it away.

It was Scarlett.

Behind her stood Adrian.

“Let’s see,” Scarlett said casually, opening the bag as if she hadn’t just taken something that wasn’t hers.

“What’s wrong with you, Scarlett?” Mrs. Whitemere snapped. “Give me back the bag.”

But Scarlett had already pulled out the item.

An expensive bracelet.

Her eyes widened.

“Mom!” Scarlett said loudly. “How could you buy something this expensive for her?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Mrs. Whitemere replied firmly. “It’s her birthday gift.”

“Today is your birthday?” Adrian asked, shock clear in his voice.

He had forgotten.

Elowen let out a silent, mocking laugh.

They had been together for years. Adrian had always been the first to wish her a happy birthday. Yet now, not even a month after leaving her, he had already forgotten.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Elowen said quietly.

She was tired. Her chest hurt too much. She needed to get to her room before she collapsed.

“What’s with that attitude?” an irritated voice snapped.

She didn’t need to turn around. She knew that voice too well.

“You dare ignore Adrian?” Mr. Felix Whitemere barked as he stepped closer.

Elowen took a deep breath.

Here he comes again.

“She didn’t ignore anyone, Felix,” Mrs. Whitemere said quietly, fear in her voice. She took the bag from Scarlett and held it out to Elowen. “Take it and go rest.”

“No, Mom!” Scarlett whined, folding her arms. “I like it. I want it.”

She had always been like this—always wanting anything that belonged to Elowen, anything connected to her. In Scarlett’s mind, Elowen was just an illegitimate child. Why should she own nice things?

“I’ll get you another one,” Mrs. Whitemere said calmly, still holding the gift out.

“What do you mean?” Mr. Whitemere snapped coldly. “Scarlett wants it, so give it to her.”

Mrs. Whitemere’s eyes trembled. She looked at her husband, pain flashing across her face.

Before she could speak, Elowen did.

“It’s fine, ma’am,” Elowen said softly. “Give it to Scarlett since she wants it so badly.”

She turned her wheelchair toward the entrance.

“Where are you going, Elowen?” Adrian asked, concern flickering in his voice as he followed.

“Adrian…” Scarlett suddenly whimpered, clutching her forehead. “I feel dizzy.”

Adrian froze.

“Dizzy?” he asked quickly. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Just like that, he forgot about Elowen.

Elowen smiled bitterly and wheeled herself out of the mansion.

Maybe it’s time to leave this family, she thought.

She had endured enough.

Next week was the Whitemere family gathering. She already knew the mockery and humiliation that awaited her—and this time, Adrian would not be by her side.

But where would she go?

How would she start over?

She had nothing.

At least before, she had legs that worked.

She wiped the tears threatening to fall with the back of her hand.

There must be a way.

Her thoughts drifted to her mother, and her heart tightened painfully. As if life hadn’t been cruel enough, it had given her a mentally disabled mother.

Lost in thought—

“Move out of the way, bitch!”

Before she could react, someone shoved her violently. Her wheelchair tipped dangerously—

But a strong hand grabbed it, steadying her just before she fell.