Mag-log inChapter 65 ElenaThe dinning room was bright with the morning light that entered through the window. I had thought about this moment for so long, I started hearing my blood pumping. I pictured them eating the meal and eventually giving me a smile.I set the plates gently, bending and whispering to each of them. "I made these for you. I hope you like them."The pancakes had dark edges. I noticed it at the store but told myself it was no big deal. Kayden looked at his plate without zeal and my heart dropped a bit. Kade poked his with his fork and turned it over.A disgusted ire distorted his face. "They look funny."There was humor in my voice. "I know they look darker but they might taste better than they look.Kayden was having none of it. “Mummy Maria makes them better."My smile faltered, but it still remained on my lips. "Then maybe you can teach me how she likes them."Kade shrugged and said nothing. He didn’t refuse; I took it as a small
Chapter 64 ElenaI woke before everyone and spent the twilight hours of the day thinking about everything that was wrong. I had argued, pushed and insisted, rather than making things better it made them worse. I needed to them see me act as their mother. I had spent so much time trying to convince them that I never contemplated that my actions and words were in opposite directions.I would stop asking them to believe me and start giving them things to remember. I should start small and see where it goes.There was a lot to do before I could beat Maria but this morning could be the start of that race. I rose up, wore a simple dress, tied my hair back and went downstairs.The kitchen was in full flow already. Mrs. Hale was directly two maids when I entered. Her face perfectly still when she saw me. "I'd like to prepare breakfast for the children," I said."The kitchen is for staff, madam."I looked around. “I’m not asking to live here or
Chapter 63 ElenaI hadn’t slept since the incident. Every time I closed my eye, I could hear the recording starting over and over again, the sound of my voice coming alive and growing to fill up the ballroom as every eye turned towards me. I had told myself that the recording wasn’t true, it must have been doctored but I wasn’t so sure about that stance when morning found me on my bed.I moved to the dressing table and began grooming my hair. The door opened and Kade came in, already dressed for school. My heart was filled with warm that he had come to me. The warmth gave way to trepidation when I saw the glint in his eyes. He hadn’t taken another step further. "Everyone knows now," he said.I lowered the brush. "What does everyone know sweetheart?""Everyone heard what you said. Mummy Maria told us. She said you never wanted us and wished we were never born." His voice was flat, as he obviously tried to bury the hurt he was feeling.My fingers clutche
Chapter 62 – DamienThe garage was heavily laden with the greasy smell of oil as I stood beside Elena’s car with my hands in my pockets. They were only in there because I didn’t trust they would remain still.Tomas had spent the last thirty minutes under the car, when he finally rolled out, his face told me all I needed to know.“The lines were cut. It was a cut thick enough to make the brakes failed when she had gotten some miles in.”I asked to repeat it again though I heard him clearly the first time."Someone cut the brakes. There is no planet this wasn’t an accident."I could hear my blood pumping as I remembered the black cat with no headlights almost ran her down if it weren’t for Marcus quick reflex."Do you have any idea when this was done?""I can’t say but it should pretty close because the brake fluid is pretty much intact.""Photograph everything and this is be
Chapter 61ELENA I saw Damien. Standing exactly where I had left him. Very still. His face was white. His eyes were on me. I could not read them. I could not read anything.I saw Theo. He had pushed out from the crowd near the stage. He was coming after me, fast, his face worried.And I saw Luca grab his arm.Luca held him. Hard. Pulled him back. Said something in his ear, quick and sharp. I could see his mouth move. Don't. Not here. Everyone's watching.Theo pulled. Luca held.Then Theo turned his head and looked at him. Just looked. I do not know what was in that look. But Luca's face changed. His hand loosened. He let go.And then they were both coming. Theo first. Luca right behind him.I did not wait. I pushed through the doors and out.The hall outside was long and empty and full of mirrors. I saw myself in all of them as I ran. A woman in a dark blue dress with her hair coming down and her face wet. Running and running. I did not know
Chapter 60ELENAThe voice did not stop.It went on and on, out of the speakers, filling up the whole gold room. My voice. I knew it was mine. I had heard it every day since I woke up. In the hospital. In my bedroom. Talking to Grace. Talking to Kayden over a little white table.But I had never heard it like this."I wish they were never born! I wish I never had them! Three of them, three, screaming all night, every night, and he doesn't even look at me! He looks at them. He loves them. He doesn't love me. They ruined my life! They ruined everything!"Loud. Ugly. Cracking at the edges. Wet with crying, or drink, or both.I could not move.I stood in the dark with my hand pressed against my stomach and listened to myself say it. And somewhere deep inside me, in the black hole where my memories should be, nothing moved. Nothing answered. No little light came on. No voice said, yes, I remember, I said that.Nothing.Just the words. Going on and o







