Chapter 2The Diary Of The Eldest Daughter

I continued reading, and the entries soon reached Naomi’s eighteenth year.

Ella had started dating a street thug and was considering dropping out of school. When I found out that Naomi had introduced Ella to this boy, I was furious. I stormed into the school and slapped Naomi in front of the teachers and students.

"Naomi Parker, what are you thinking? How could you introduce such a scumbag to your sister? She’s your flesh and blood! If you’re angry at us, fine, but why ruin her life?”

Naomi held her cheek, looking at me in disbelief. “Dad, who told you I introduced Derek to Ella?”

I turned to Rachel, who looked away guiltily. "Ella told me. She said Derek was your friend and that you had vouched for him, so I didn’t worry."

Naomi’s face went cold, and she pulled out her phone to show me their messages. Derek had pursued Naomi first, but she had rejected him several times. He eventually turned his attention to Ella, and Naomi had even warned Ella multiple times, telling her Derek hadn’t gone to college and didn’t have a proper job. She begged Ella not to be fooled by his sweet words.

Only then did I realize I had wrongly accused Naomi. But with the teachers and students still watching, I couldn’t swallow my pride.

So, I stammered, "Even if that’s true, you’re still her sister! You go to the same school. Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier? You should’ve helped her out sooner!"

The moment the words left my mouth, I felt my face flush with shame.

The judgmental stares from those around us only intensified.

Naomi didn’t cry this time. She just clenched her fists in silence.

I pulled her aside and quietly apologized.

"Naomi, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have blamed you. But please, she’s your sister. Can you help convince her to leave him?"

After much persuasion, Naomi finally agreed to talk to Ella.

By that time, Ella had already realized who Derek really was and wanted to break up with him, but Derek refused to let her go. In a desperate move, he and his gang kidnapped Ella, and when Naomi tried to intervene, she was taken too.

Derek and his gang demanded a ransom of one million dollars for each girl.

At the time, I had just started my business, and I only had one million dollars available. I would have to choose between my two daughters.

When the time came for the exchange, Naomi and Ella were both tied up. Ella, with tears streaming down her face, pleaded, “Dad, please save me. I don’t want to die.”

Naomi, however, remained calm, staring at me without a word.

I knew that Naomi had been dragged into this situation and that I was more responsible for what had happened than she was. That million should’ve been used to save her.

Derek pushed me to make a decision. "Who’s it going to be?"

I looked at Naomi, ready to say her name, but Ella fainted from the stress.

Seeing her pale face and fragile body, my heart wavered. I couldn’t bear to lose her. My resolve crumbled, and I painfully uttered the words, "Save Ella."

For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Naomi’s calm eyes. After a long pause, she spoke in a dry, raspy voice, her laughter hollow and bitter. "So, you never loved me. I’m just a stranger to you."

Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, her voice breaking.

I couldn’t bear to look her in the eye. I turned away and said, "Naomi, I’m sorry. But Ella is weak, and she passed out. I have to save her first. Don’t worry, I’ll find another million to save you."

And with that, I left with Ella.