Elena's grip on the phone tightened as panic seized her. Her breath hitched, and a wave of dizziness crashed over her, as if the air had been sucked from the room.
Her hand flew to her mouth, muffling a sob as tears streamed down her face. Her fingers trembled around the phone.
"Sweetheart," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Are you alright? Please, where are you? I'll come get you!"
There was a brief moment of silence as Charles didn't answer right away. He was busy savoring her pitiful face. Then, he slouched back casually, a faint sneer tugging at the corner of his lips, clearly enjoying her despair.
A mocking voice rang out from behind. "I told you—she's lost her mind."
Elena's breath caught. She knew that voice, but her mind refused to accept it. Her gaze remained locked on Charles. "Please, my love… Where are you? My world is shattered without you."
A soft, cruel laugh echoed through the air—mocking, almost sadistic. The voice drew closer, thick with derision. "Eyyah… how pitiful."
Then the camera shifted slightly—and that's when she appeared.
Chloe.
Elena's entire body went cold. The blood drained from her face as she watched Chloe wrap her arms around Charles from behind, pressing herself against him. Then, without hesitation, she tilted his chin and kissed him.
A deep, intimate kiss.
Elena froze—as if someone had ripped her soul from her body. The phone in her hand grew unbearably heavy.
Chloe pulled away from the kiss, amusement gleaming in her eyes as she turned to the screen. "Hey, girlfriend," she taunted. "Sorry to interrupt your little reunion, but Charles was never yours to begin with."
Elena's lips parted, but no sound came out. This wasn't real. It couldn't be real.
Chloe smirked. "I won't spoil the surprise. You'll figure everything out soon enough."
She leaned closer to the camera, her voice dripping with venom. "I know you've been searching for a reason to end your miserable little life. Well, here it is."
Elena's stomach plummeted.
Chloe's laughter sliced through the air like nails on a chalkboard. "Oh, and one last thing," she continued, her tone almost lazy. "Your father's estate? Sold. Your shares in the company? Gone. Every last bit of property he left you? Now it belongs to someone else."
She shrugged as if it were nothing. "Don't hate me too much, dear. I'm only returning the favor your mother gave my father."
The words crashed over Elena like a tidal wave.
A sharp ringing filled her ears, and suddenly, she couldn't breathe. The phone slipped from her hands before she even realized it.
A piercing, tortured scream tore from her lips.
'Ahhhhhhhhhhh…'
She collapsed onto her bed, curling into a corner, her body shaking with deep, splintering sobs.
The door burst open. Stella rushed in, eyes wide with panic. She had overheard the scream and came running immediately.
'Elena!
What happened?'
But Elena didn't answer. She simply sat there, arms wrapped tightly around herself, rocking back and forth as tears streamed down her face like an endless river.
Stella's gaze darted to the phone on the floor. She snatched it up hastily, but the call had already ended. Her heart pounded as she turned back to Elena, who sat stiffly, her face pale and drawn.
Elena, what happened?" she asked, concern lacing her voice. "Was it Charles' kidnappers? Please, talk to me. You're scaring me."
Elena's head snapped up, her eyes burning with rage. "GET OUT!" she screamed, her voice raw with fury. "GET OUT OF MY ROOM, NOW!"
Stella flinched at the outburst, her shock evident. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm. "I was just trying to help," she muttered before rising to her feet and slipping out quietly, closing the door softly behind her.
—
A few minutes later, the door creaked open. As she walked down the stairs, Stella looked up from the couch.
Elena was already dressed in leggings and a baggy sweatshirt—like someone heading out for an early morning jog. Though her eyes were red and swollen, a clear sign she had been crying, the fierce stare she wore made one thing obvious—anger was boiling beneath the surface.
Stella sprang from her chair. "You're up. Where are you going? Let me take you—I'm not letting you go out alone."
Elena sat up stiffly, drawing a quick breath. "I'll be fine, Stella," she said, her voice a little steadier than before. "I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier."
Stella held up a hand. "Don't apologize. I know you're dealing with a lot. It's all going to be okay.
Elena forced a smile. "Thanks. I just have to check on something. I'll be back in a moment."
She didn't wait for a response before grabbing the keys and walking out.
—
The moment Elena got into her car, she phoned Mr. Clifford.
"Miss Moretti," his voice chimed in, "I was just about to call you. I assume you already know about the transfer?"
Elena gripped the steering wheel tightly. "Chloe sold off my shares?"
"Yes. The documents married your signature, so we followed your instructions."
Her stomach churned. "That's impossible. I never—" She drew a sharp breath. "Never mind."
She hung up without another word and immediately called her father's estate attorney.
The line clicked, and the attorney's smooth voice followed. 'Miss Moretti, I wasn't expecting your call so soon. I assume this is about the sale?'
A lengthy silence followed. Then, her father's attorney sighed. "Sold. I have to admit, I was surprised you'd sell it, but since all the paperwork was in your hands, we assumed it was your decision."
Elena slammed the phone down without another word.
Then she laughed—a dry, bitter laugh.
—
She drove for miles, her thoughts swirling in a storm of betrayal and emptiness.
Finally, she came to a stop beneath a bridge overlooking a quiet, deep lake. The wind howled around her, whipping her hair as she stepped out of the vehicle.
She walked to the water's edge, staring down into the dark depths below.
Her lips trembled. "Chloe, I trusted you like a sister. And Charles… you were my whole world.
"My parents passed away, and I wished so desperately not to feel the pain of losing another loved one. But I never imagined betrayal could hurt this much."
Her voice cracked. "And yet, the two of you betrayed me… and left me with nothing."
Tears filled her eyes as she took one final, shuddering breath.
Then, she jumped.
...….
Elena's eyelids fluttered open, the harsh white lights above making her squint. A dull ache throbbed through her body, and the steady beeping of a heart monitor filled the air.
Beside her, a nurse let out a sigh of relief. "You're finally awake, ma'am."
Elena's throat felt parched as she struggled to speak. "Where… where am I?"
"The hospital," the nurse replied, adjusting the IV drip. She hesitated before adding, "What were you thinking, jumping off that bridge?"
Elena blinked as her fragmented memories slowly pieced themselves together. Then, reality crashed down on her like a ton of bricks. She turned her head away, her voice barely above a whisper. "You should've just let me die."
The nurse smirked. "Well, thank the man who saved you. But even if you've lost all hope, what about the innocent life inside you? Do you plan on taking that child's life too?"
Elena frowned. "What innocent life are you talking about?"
The nurse's expression faltered. "Oh… you didn't know?"
She let out a sigh before continuing. "Ma'am, you're pregnant. Three weeks along."
Elena's breath came in quick, shallow gasps. "I'm… what?"
"Pregnant," the nurse repeated firmly.
Elena stared at her, hands trembling as they instinctively reached for her stomach. A baby? Charles' child?
Her heart pounded in her ears, a cold wave of fear creeping through her. What was she supposed to do now?