Late

Elena is 17 now and in her final class in high school, The past year for Elena has been pretty hard, Growing up without her mum weighed heavily on her as a teenager. She wasn't happy, always moody, and had no friends. Ava was good to her and tried to care for her the best way she could. Ava was working and had little time for her and even though she provided all she needed. Elena missed her mom.

After Danielle's funeral, Elena lived with Ava, she wasn't old enough to leave on her own. She had the money won from the competition saved in a bank account accessible only when she turned 18. Ava was to leave for London to stay with her daughter who lost her husband and she was staying for long. She was now retired and needed a change in Scenery. Elena had no choice but to move in with Britney and her husband Rob. It was better for Elena when she lived with Britney and her husband, they were wealthy and had everything, she enjoyed the attention and company, But there were issues in the family that gradually began to surface.

it's been a few years since Britney got married. she's not been able to birth a child of her own since she got married. She had a series of miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies then she stopped taking in altogether. Britney kept hoping everything would be fine, But it got worse. Her home became uncomfortable for her, Her in-laws were on her neck, Rob started to misbehave and paid less attention to her even though he said he didn't have a problem with her condition. He began making suspicious midnight calls, coming home late and changed his password to all his devices Britney had access to.

their relationship became one of pain and torture filled with constant quarrels and fights. This reminded Elena of Her mom and Nick "is this how all marriages are? if this is it what's the point of it in the first place " she thought to herself. His house became uncomfortable for her.

It's been months since Elena started living with the troubled couple, Rob began developing feelings for Elena, he would make advances at her and make passive statements that showed he wanted her. Britney traveled leaving Rob and Elena at home. Elena was in the kitchen when Rob walked in and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Elena startled and ran out from his embrace. "What are you doing Uncle?" Elena asked him confused and worried. "I've told you not to call me uncle, I'm not your uncle. Just call me Rob..... you know I like you so much and I've been admiring you a lot. You've grown into a very beautiful girl. allow me to bask in the warmth of your beauty." Rob retorted as he walked closer to her to get a hold of her. "No, stop don't do this'' Elena screamed. It's wrong and besides, I can't do this to Britney please" she continued. Elena ran out of the house that night to stay with her friend Liam. Elena cries anytime she thinks of her mom, "I wish you were here mom, things would have been easier, Even if not better but easier". Liam was the only one who made her feel better. The next day, Elena went back to Britney's place, she had no choice. Britney came home after spending 3 days away from home and she came in quite late, the door wasn't locked, she called out but no one responded. So she went upstairs to her husband's room and noticed he wasn't there. "Elena, Elena... where are you?" Britney called out. "Oh no, that must be aunt, She's back. You need to go please." Elena was shivering when she heard Britney's voice.

Britney walked to Elena's room and saw her husband coming out from her room shirtless, and drunk. Britney stood there puzzled. Rob pushed her aside as he walked away. Britney didn't waste a second "Elena !!!" she yelled as she stormed into her room. Elena got home after leaving Liam's place. Rob wasn't home, "whew that's a relief" she muttered as she made her way to her room. Rob got home and was informed by the maid that Elena was upstairs. He went to her room (KNOCK KNOCK) "Hey Elie it's me, uncle Rob, I'm sorry for yesterday, I don't know what got into me and I promise it'll not happen again, so can you please open the door and come down for dinner ?" he said as he waited for a response. After a few minutes, Elena surfaced from her room and went downstairs with him for dinner. They had a quiet dinner together and as soon as they were done Elena picked up their plates, as she picked up he's, he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her close to him. Elena was terrified. "I'll appreciate it if you don't tell my wife about what happened please," he said calmly to her, Elena nodded in agreement and let her go. it's been 3 days since Britney left home. Elena was starting to miss her. Earlier that day she asked Rob when Britney was coming back, Rob walked out without giving a response. "why doesn't he want to answer, or doesn't he know when?" the thoughts perused her mind as she headed back to her room. it was late and the maid was done for the day " good night miss Elena" she called. Elena was in her room listening to music and working on some portraits she took. she still enjoyed photography, she had all she needed, Britney and Rob provided her with all she required.

She heard a knock on her door " who could that be? I thought the maid left already" she thought to herself confused. "who's it " she called out, "it's me, Elie, it's uncle Rob and I've got something for you" Rob replied. excited Elena rushed to the door to see what Rob had gotten for her.

She opened the door with excitement which quickly changed to confusion. All she could see was Rob standing in front of her drunk and shirtless "Uhm uncle what did you get for me?" She asked. Rob gave her no response and just stared at her body. uncomfortable with the way he looked at her she tried to close the door but Rob held the door open and forced his way into her room "I want you, Elena, I want you" he said drunkenly. "Elena, Elena... where are you?" she heard Britney call out. "Oh no, that must be aunt, She's back. You need to go please." shivering she sat on the bed as Rob made his way out. "ELENA!!" Britney yelled as she barged into her room. Rob had been out for a get-together with his friends that evening and returned home drunk. " I'm gonna have her no matter what it takes. I'm gonna have her" he muttered as he made his way to Elena's room. Elena stood in front of him and all he thought of was having her. He forced her way into her room "I want you, Elena, I want you " he said as we walked closer to her ." oh so you've been sleeping with my husband, d and for what reason?... because you're all so grown up now. Uh, wait for a second! It must be the cause of my childlessness right?" Britney shook Elena vigorously as she asked. Elena was sitting on her bed shivering, she didn't know what to say as She stammered "Mmmaamm.... it was him, he's been disturbing me lately and I've been telling him not to, nothing happened. I swear to you ma'am" Elena said as her body shivered even more. "And you couldn't tell me about it, I thought I could trust you... what have I done to you Elena, I took you as my daughter, was I wrong to take you in? Britney said screaming and crying. "No no no, I didn't do anything with him. He has been trying to make advances at me. He came to my room, drunk, and tried sleeping with me but I didn't let him, That's how you saw him walking out. I wanted to tell you but I didn't want to be the reason you have problems with your husband. I swear to you, you can trust me" Elena cried. "You liar, you're lying, you think I'm a fool, I don't want to lose it with you, pack your things and leave my house tonight night. I don't care where you go or what you do with your life but I want you out of my house now. Britney screamed at her and walked away.

Elena had no choice but to pack. It was 11 pm, she thought of what to do next, she was in her finals in high school and she needed money. she wasn't old enough to use the money she won at the competition that was saved at the bank"Where do I go from here?" Elena sobbed. Elena decided she'll go back to her home even if it's not going to be easy for her but she had nowhere else to run to and besides she was already 17 she had to start making decisions for herself. Elena left that night it was dark and late. Elena got home, it was dark and dusty she's not been here since they put her mother to rest. Old memories rolled in she remembered the stairs and how she ran up to her mother's room, she saw her mom's favorite couch she went upstairs and stood for a while staring at her mom's bed, so many memories but this isn't the time to break down in tears, she needs to stand up for herself. She had no one now, just her and she needed to step up. She cleaned her teary eyes and cleaned up the place before she slept for the night.

It was past 9 am Elena got up with migraines, she got up cleaned up what was left undone the previous night. She had some cash and it was enough for her for the week. I have to call Liam and tell him the situation of things. She took her phone from her back pocket and dialed Liam.

"What sup babe?" Liam said. There was a bit of silence. "Hello, are you there?" Liam asked again. "I'm fine".... she said. "No I'm not fine" she continued. "Hey, baby, what happened?" Liam asked. "I was asked to leave," Elena said. Liam asked where she was now and she told him. "I'll be there soon." He said to her. A few hours later Liam came to the house. Elena couldn't help it as she ran to him for comfort. "Li....am" Elena cried out. Liam hugged her tightly. "It's going to be fine," Liam assured her. After explaining what happened earlier, Elena felt better. "You always know how to make me feel better," Elena said and smiled. "I'll always be here for you and if you need anything, don't hesitate to give me a call. But for now, let's get you settled." Liam said to her. Liam used his resources to get things she might need. "So Elena, I was thinking if you would be interested in working at my uncle's restaurant. I could talk to him about it. I'm sure he's going to let you work and complete your finals" Liam said. Elena was happy Liam brought it up and she agreed. Tears rolled down her cheek while Liam wiped her tears with his hands as he assured her with a hug. "Thank you, Liam," Elena said to him.