Chapter 13 [Fading into the Shadows]

The clock read 4:30 a.m. when Evelyn’s alarm went off. Her flight was at 9, and though she had barely slept, she rose without hesitation. Her bags were already packed the night before, including her new phone and laptop—gifts from Olivia. After a quick shower and getting dressed, it was 5:10 a.m. Her cab, scheduled for 5:20, was minutes away.

Standing in the middle of her room, Evelyn took one final look around. The faded walls, the old desk, the corner she used to curl up in—each held memories. Some bitter. Some unbearable.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, but she wiped it away quickly. I can’t be weak, she reminded herself.

She headed downstairs quietly. The scene below was a blur of movement—maids, guards, decorators, and family members rushing about under Mike’s strict instructions. “Everything must be perfect,” he kept saying, his voice loud and clear. “Today is Amy’s first day as an engaged woman.”

Erica, meanwhile, was obsessing over Amy’s wardrobe. “The wedding gowns still haven’t arrived,” she told Mike in frustration. “Call the designer again. Everything must be flawless.”

Nobody noticed Evelyn standing there, suitcase in hand, like a stranger in her own home.

Except Olivia

Having just finished with the florist, Olivia turned and saw her by the stairs—alone, still, and quietly fading into the background. The sight of Evelyn standing so quietly, so out of place, pierced her heart.

Slowly, Olivia approached her. “Why are you standing here with your suitcase?” she asked gently.

Evelyn smiled—a strained, hollow smile. “My flight’s in the morning. Not evening.”

Olivia frowned. “Don’t give me that fake smile,” she warned. “I’ve spent enough time with you to know which ones are real."

Evelyn’s smile faltered. “You’re the only one who can tell,” she whispered.

“Hey,” came a warm and familiar voice. Butler Lu walked over with a concerned expression. “What about me?”

Evelyn’s gaze softened. “You too.”

With her two pillars beside her, she asked quietly, “What’s going on?”

The answer stung more than she expected.

“Master has decided to celebrate every day like a grand occasion,” Butler Lu explained.

Olivia hesitated, then added, “After the wedding, Amy will move in with the Smiths…”

“But until then,” Butler Lu finished, “he wants to treat her like a princess.”

Evelyn had always known she wasn’t favoured, but hearing it aloud still stung. She didn’t belong—not now, not ever.

Her phone buzzed. The cab had arrived.

“I should go,” she said, her voice barely audible.

Olivia and Butler Lu immediately offered to drop her off, but she shook her head. “No… I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You could never be a burden,” Olivia protested.

Evelyn's next words cut deep: “If Father doesn’t see either of you, he’ll be furious. And… I need to learn to stand on my own now. Remember?”

Olivia felt something break inside her.

Olivia’s heart clenched as she bit back her tears.

That’s right, she thought painfully. No more waking her up. No more comforting her… to hold her when she breaks down…Why, God? Hasn’t she suffered enough? Why did you send her to a family that saw her as nothing but a burden, a disgrace? Why her? Why did they treat her like a curse?

Only Harry, Uncle Aaron, and I know the truth. Only we knew the hell Evelyn had been through at just fifteen—hospitalised for two months, ignored, and they still called her names… now, they’re sending her away alone. And no one cared. Except for me, Harry, and Uncle Aaron.

Still, Olivia and Butler Lu walked with her to the main door. But they were intercepted by Erica.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked Evelyn, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Evelyn looked at her with tired, cold eyes, not bothering to hide her disdain.

“It’s funny you don’t remember. I have a flight to catch. But I guess that’s expected—no one except sis Olivia, Uncle Lu, Uncle Aaron, and brother Harry actually cares enough to remember. I’ll go to the airport by myself. I’m just an eyesore, after all.”

Erica flinched. “It’s not that I don’t want you here… but every time you’re around, something bad happens. Edward and Amelia hate you, and if you stay, Amy’s happiness could be at risk. Once she’s settled… once her life is stable, I’ll call you back. Just… stay away until then.”

Evelyn laughed bitterly. “So basically, you’re throwing me out to secure your daughter’s fairytale.”

Erica fell silent.

“Forget it,” Evelyn said coldly. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

As she turned to leave, Erica reached out to hug her, but Evelyn stepped back.

That small movement stunned Erica. She doesn’t want me to hug her, she thought, confused and strangely hurt.

As Evelyn walked away, she whispered, “Goodbye… Mrs. Jones.”

The words hit harder than any slap.

Everyone heard it. Erica stood frozen—Mrs. Jones, not Mom. Why did it hurt so deeply?

Olivia clenched her fists. After today, Evelyn will be someone else—stronger, untouchable. Wait, Jones family. She or someone else will make you pay for every tear she’s cried.

Butler Lu’s thoughts echoed. You’re hurt, Erica? You’ll hurt a lot more. Evelyn won’t be here to help you anymore. She always gave you chances. But now, she knows—you never truly loved her like you loved Amy, Jack, Jake, or Daisy…you showed her she never mattered like the others.

Outside the mansion, Olivia embraced Evelyn tightly. “Start fresh,” she whispered. “Live an amazing life.”

“Thank you, sis Olivia…”

But even now, Evelyn said nothing about her dreams or talents.

Then she turned to Butler Lu. “Won’t you hug your Eve-dear goodbye?”

He wrapped his arms around her, eyes glistening. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I should’ve gotten you out of this place long ago.”

“You didn’t know,” she whispered. “None of it was your fault. Thank you, Uncle Lu… for everything”

With one last smile, she stepped into the cab. As it pulled away, Olivia broke down, whispering through her tears, “Be happy, Evelyn.”

Back in the mansion, Erica stood at the window watching them. She saw Olivia and Butler Lu hugging Evelyn—the hugs she had been denied. And suddenly, she felt something twist inside her. A quiet ache.

Why did she let them hug her, but not me?

Amy’s voice broke her thoughts. “Come on, Mom, breakfast’s ready.”

Erica turned from the window. For a fleeting second, she wondered if Evelyn had eaten. But the thought faded quickly. Focus on Amy, she told herself. The wedding. Her happiness. That’s what mattered now.

She followed her daughter, leaving Evelyn in the shadows of her memory.

Back in the cab, Evelyn could no longer hold back her tears. The driver, seeing her in the rearview mirror, asked gently, “Are you okay?”

She didn’t answer. She wiped her face, eyes on the road ahead and whispered, “Please… just drive.”

That’s it for now…

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