Elellanena’s face, soaking her hair, running down her simple dress. potato peels sliding down her shoulders to land at her feet on the Italian marble floor. The smell of starch and old vegetables filled the air. The sound of water splashing seemed to echo through the suddenly silent house. And then Sarah had started laughing.
Loud delighted laughter that filled the room. She’d pulled out her phone, already filming, capturing every second of Elena standing there dripping, humiliated, destroyed. Oh my god. Sarah had gasped between laughs. This is perfect. This is exactly what she deserves. Marcus, babe, your mom is savage. I love it. Marcus had joined in the laughter.
Then, his face flushing with something that looked like relief, like he’d been waiting for permission to fully reject Elena, and his mother had just given it to him. “Mom, that’s brutal,” he’d said. But he was grinning. “But yeah, maybe she’ll get the message now. Maybe she’ll finally understand that we don’t want her here.
Gerald had said nothing, but Linda saw approval in his eyes. The kind of grim satisfaction that came from watching justice being served. Linda had set the empty pot down with a satisfying clang. Feeling righteous and powerful. There, she’d said, her voice sharp with vindication. Now you know what we think of you, Elena.
Now you understand your place. You’re nothing. Your baby is nothing. and you need to leave our family alone.” But Anna hadn’t reacted the way Linda expected. She hadn’t cried or run away or begged for mercy. She just stood there, water dripping from her hair, potato peels sliding down her shoulders, and placed one hand protectively over her stomach.
The other hand reached into her purse and pulled out her phone, and she smiled. That strange knowing smile that made Linda’s stomach suddenly clench with inexplicable dread. Something was wrong. Something in Elena’s eyes, in the way she held herself despite the humiliation. In the absolute calm on her face as dirty water dripped onto the marble floor. And then Rebecca screamed.
Linda’s niece, who’d been sitting quietly in the corner all night, suddenly stood up, her chair scraping violently against the floor. “No, no, Elena. Please, please don’t do this. I’m begging you.” Linda spun toward Rebecca, confusion spiking into irritation. Rebecca, what are you talking about? Sit down.
But Rebecca was crying now, real tears streaming down her face, her hands shaking as she stared at Elellena with pure terror. She’s going to destroy us just like James destroyed us. Oh god, Marcus, what did you do? What did you do? What is she talking about? Gerald demanded, moving toward Rebecca. Rebecca, explain yourself right now. But Rebecca couldn’t speak anymore.
Could only cry into her hands while Elellanena pressed a single button on her phone and brought it to her ear. “Hello,” James Elellena said, her voice calm and clear despite the dirty water still dripping from her chin. “Yes, it’s time. Initiate the Morrison protocol we discussed. All of them effective immediately.
” The name James hit the room like a physical blow. Marcus felt his blood turn to ice because he knew that name. Everyone who worked at Caldwell Industries knew that name. James Caldwell, the billionaire CEO who’ destroyed Rebecca’s life 6 months ago. Marcus watched his cousin Rebecca collapse into her chair, sobbing uncontrollably, and suddenly fragments of memory started clicking together in his mind.
