Chapter 3Fade to Nothing

News of my miraculous recovery slowly trickled through our social circle, but the lack of an official announcement fueled rampant speculation. Unable to stand the gossip, my father insisted on throwing a party to celebrate my return.

It was the perfect opportunity to retrieve my belongings from the family home, so I agreed.

At the party, Ailsa was the center of attention, preening in a designer gown as sycophants flocked around her. She caught my eye from across the room and raised her glass in a mocking toast.

“You’re so pathetic, Elara,” she whispered as I passed by, her voice laced with venom. “Did you really think this party was for you? It’s my engagement party with Joey.”

I clutched the documents in my bag, ignoring her.

Her perfect face twisted in a snarl. She stepped in front of me, blocking my path and tilting her neck to reveal a series of fresh, angry-looking bruises.

“Don’t run off just yet. I wanted to thank you. Joey was so angry last night… he didn’t stop until dawn.” She leaned in closer, her breath hot against my ear. “I bet you didn’t know this, but during the first week you were in that coma, Joey and I tried out every inch of your wedding bed. Have you ever seen him when he’s rough, when he just takes what he wants?”

Her eyes were filled with contempt. “You’re just as useless as your mother. I hit you with my car three years ago, and no one lifted a finger to help you. I could still crush you today without a second thought.”

“So tell me,” she purred, a strange smile playing on her lips, “who do you think he really cares about? You, or me?”

With that, she stumbled backward and collapsed onto the floor.

“Elara, I already apologized! Why would you push me?” she shrieked, her eyes filling with tears as she stared up at me with a look of pure betrayal.

A crowd gathered instantly, their whispers and pointed fingers a fresh wave of assault.

Joey pushed through them, his face a mask of concern as he rushed to Ailsa’s side and helped her up. The movement jostled me, and I stumbled back, the sharp corner of a marble pillar digging into my spine. The pain was blinding.

I didn’t say a word. In front of everyone, I walked over to Ailsa and slapped her, hard.

“How old are you?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm. “Is this pathetic little act the best you can do?”

“Elara!” Joey’s shocked voice and Ailsa’s shriek of outrage echoed through the room.

“The security cameras are right there,” I said, my gaze locked on Ailsa. “I dare you to let them play the footage. Do you?” I turned back to her. “You deserved that slap for your filthy mouth. We can settle all our scores, old and new. Why don’t you repeat those threats you just made to the police?”

I pulled out my phone to dial 911.

Joey knocked it from my hand. It clattered to the floor, the screen cracking.

“That’s enough! Calm down,” he commanded. He stood there in silence for a moment before scooping Ailsa into his arms and carrying her away.

The room erupted. Voices, sharp and pitying, sliced through the air.

“Even if Ailsa’s a terrible actress and rotten to the core, she has him wrapped around her finger.”

“Didn’t you hear? Mr. Sterling personally erased the records of the accident three years ago. No one even dares to mention it.”

“It’s all part of their twisted game. The imprisonment, the drama… it’s just their version of foreplay. The great Elara Gabriel is nothing but a pawn.”

My cold stare swept across the crowd, and they fell silent.

A hot surge rose in my throat, and my hands began to tremble uncontrollably. I stumbled away from the scene, my legs barely holding me.

Once I was out of sight, the strength I’d been faking deserted me. My whole body seized with pain, a fire tearing through my organs. I could barely stand.

In a daze, I wiped away the blood streaming from my nose and mouth, but it just kept coming, a relentless tide telling me my life was about to end, right here, right now.

I dug my nails into my palms, the sharp pain grounding me enough to pull out my phone again. My voice was steady.

“Yes,” I said to the person on the other end. “I have the evidence.”