After the sound of Adrian’s car had faded completely, Elara remained in the tub for a long time, her body trembling a little from the cold water.

Then, slowly, she tried to move. Her hands slipped against the smooth surface as she pushed herself up, but her strength failed her. She took a long breath, shifted her weight, and dragged herself over the edge. Her body tipped and she rolled out of the tub onto the floor with a thud.

She didn’t move for the first few seconds.

Then she slowly pulled herself toward the wall and rested her back against it. Her head leaned back, her breathing heavy. She was too exhausted to stand, too drained to even think about leaving. So she just sat there, her eyes fixed on the door.

"I was the one who gave her the push." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The words kept echoing in her mind, over and over again.

Her eyes began to sting, her vision blurring. At some point, without realizing it, her head tilted to the side... and everything went dark.

* * * *

When Elara opened her eyes again, it was because of the sound of rain.

She stayed in place, staring at nothing for a long time, her expression empty. Then she pushed herself up. Her legs were wobbly, but she managed to stand. Without hesitation, she stepped into the shower and turned the dial all the way till scalding hot water poured down.

She didn’t react to the heat. She just stood there, grabbing a cloth and scrubbing her skin again and again until it turned red, her eyes fixed on the glass in front of her.

When she finally stopped and stepped out, the bathroom was filled with steam. Her gaze moved and landed on the dress lying in the corner, soaked and crumpled like a dead thing.

She stared at it for a long time, her face giving nothing away.

She couldn’t wear that.

Without a word, she reached for one of the black robes hanging on the wall rack and wrapped it tightly around herself. Then she walked out of the bathroom.

Her steps were unhurried as she moved down the corridor and into the hall. She headed toward the stairs, her hand reaching for the railing as she prepared to go upstairs.

Then...

The doorbell rang.

Her hand stiffened on the railing and her eyes turned cold instantly. But just as quickly, that expression vanished.

She turned and walked toward the door. When she opened it, there was no one there. Only a large black delivery box sitting at the entrance. She stared at it for a heartbeat. Then she bent down and dragged it inside.

The box was heavy but she didn’t stop until it was fully inside the hall. She opened it.

Inside was a black modest gown, neatly folded. Beside it, a smaller box of food, and a thick envelope.

She picked up the envelope and opened it. In it was a big stack of cash. Her jaw tightened as she looked at it. Then she set it down.

She took the gown and changed into it without hesitation. After that, she returned to the envelope, pulled out two bills, and left the rest of the money on the table beside the box of untouched food.

Without looking back, she walked out of the villa.

The rain had softened into a light drizzle. It clung to her hair and clothes as she stepped onto the long driveway and kept walking until she reached the main road.

It didn’t take long before a cab appeared. She raised her hand to flag it down. When the car stopped, she opened the door and entered without a word.

After giving the driver the directions quietly. The man nodded and started the engine without asking any questions.

The car moved through the roads, leaving behind the expensive streets of the villa district for a simpler one. Not long, it turned into a narrow street and slowed to a stop in front of a modest house.

Elara paid the driver and stepped out. She walked to the gate, pushed it open gently, and stepped inside.

The compound was clean and empty.

When she entered the house, the first thing she saw was Zia.

The little girl was sprawled on the floor fast asleep, her doll clutched tightly to her chest like it might run away if she loosened her grip. One of her shoes was missing and her hair was half undone.

Elara’s gaze lingered on her for a second before a small sound from the kitchen pulled her attention away.

She walked toward it.

Grandpa stood by the sink, a glass raised to his lips as he swallowed something.

"Grandpa, I’m here," Elara said.

The man turned slowly.

Her eyes flicked to the tablets on the sink in front of him, but she looked away just as quickly and returned her gaze to his face.

He set the glass down, picked up the tablets, and walked toward her. He stopped right in front of her and stared.

Elara didn’t look away. She stared back at him, though her heartbeat had picked up a bit.

He let out a long sigh after a long while and pointed at her. "Why are you staring at me like I just turned into your long lost twin? Move aside... Won’t you let me pass." he scolded.

Elara blinked once... then stepped aside stiffly.

He sighed again and walked past her. His eyes landed on Zia who was still sleeping on the floor.

"Hm. So this one finally surrendered," he muttered, looking down at her. "She told me they were playing hide and seek and she needed to hide here... told me to lie to anyone who asked for her. But instead of hiding, she just came in here, lay down like a sack of rice, and fell asleep before anyone could even come looking."

He shook his head tiredly. "Hopeless child."

Then his gaze moved back to Elara who was still standing near the doorway, staring at Zia like she had forgotten how to move.

"Why are you standing there like a statue?" he said. "Do you plan to grow roots into my floor?"

Elara blinked again, then walked over calmly. She bent down, picked Zia up carefully, and carried her to the couch, settling her down gently without waking her. After that, she turned back and opened her mouth.

"Grandpa, where’s your phone? I want to call Ziva."

"Where’s yours?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her.

"It’s dead," she replied simply, giving a small shrug.

He held her gaze for a second longer, something unreadable passing through his eyes, then he nodded. "In my room."

Elara didn’t wait. She walked to his room and found the phone easily on the bedside locker. She picked it up and turned back. Instead of staying inside, she stepped out into the garden.

The air was cool and the rain had now reduced to a soft mist. She dialed Ziva’s number. It didn’t even ring twice before the call was picked up...