Chapter 7

"Oh, my God, Ellie! Are you okay?" Erika ran toward the door as soon as it opened, revealing Elena and their parents. Behind her was Nathan, who immediately followed her, looking out for her and worried about her frantic movement. 

That sight brought sadness and concealed anguish in Elena's heart. Instead of feeling happy for her sister's good health, she was tormented by her resentment toward them. But I'm allowed to feel like this, right? She asked herself, her head lowered, masking her emotions, contrary to her thoughts. 

Suddenly, a warm embrace enveloped Elena. She smelled that familiar faint medicinal scent that Erika always carries. Her lips quivered unintentionally. She wanted to hug her sister back, but she was afraid that her stiffened fingers would only claw her pale and fragile skin. 

"Where have you been, Ellie?" Erika asked again. 

Inhaling deeply to hide her unsolicited emotions, Elena forced a smile, despite her suffering. She caught sight of Nathan looking at her worriedly, yet daring not to say any words to console her at all. 

His eyes were laced with minor understanding, as though telling her to be careful, so as not to shock Erika. It made Elena wonder if that gaze knew something. Did her parents call him before? If they did and he knew what happened to her already, it would only break her heart more. 

It saddened and angered her at the same time. Those conflicting emotions inside her were cracking her mask, threatening to explode. 

So, Elena hoped for the opposite. 

It doesn't matter. I'm tired. I just wanted to rest, Elena thought. She gently pushed Erika away and lightly squeezed her arm as she moved them away from her. 

"What happened to you, Ellie? Are you sick? You're paler than me!" Erika exclaimed worriedly. Her lively voice filled with concern only added to Elena's headache. 

"There's nothing to worry about, Erika. She just drank too much and passed out at the police station, so we came and picked her up," Hector replied, gently pulling his beloved daughter away from the adopted one. 

"That's right, sweetie. Let your sister rest for now. Elena, go upstairs and rest," Elained added, patting Elena's back. "And make sure to clean yourself before you lay on the bed, okay?"

Nathan finally came forward, hesitating, "Elena…" his voice was barely a whisper, but Elena heard that call. Even so, she said nothing and did not even look at him. He was always like that, too reserved, too calm, and always thinking of what their family would think. 

"Go on, Elena," Hector said.

Her heart sank. Now that the real daughter was healthy and back, she was no longer significant. 

Elena nodded. Without saying anything, she walked away from them, headed to her room, and slammed the door. The moment she locked it, her knees gave out and she slid to the floor, still holding onto the doorknob. 

It was agonizing. The crushing loneliness she felt; the hollowed exhaustion; was all buried in anguish. 

Perhaps a single knock and a worried voice behind the door asking for her state was all she needed, but at that moment, even if she waited for several minutes, no one came. 

She cried silently. 

The four corners of her room seemed suffocating. She wanted to run away, but where would she go? If she left, they would only think that she went to buy some ice cream. 

Elena let out a sarcastic yet pained laugh. She dragged herself to the bathroom, each step was heavier, as if they lost any purpose, yet one thing remained in her mind. 

Erase it. Wash it. 

The dirtiness she felt crawled under her skin like tiny centipedes, urging her to scratch it until her skin bleed; until that disgusting feeling was gone. 

She stood under the cold shower for a long time, washing off the dirt. When her knees felt numb from standing too long, she curled on the floor and hugged herself. The shower was still on, yet the coldness of every drop seemed useless. It wasn't enough to wash away that sickening feeling. 

All of a sudden, the sound of knocking on a door freed Elena from her stupor. She blinked. The knocks became louder accompanied by shouts. Tired, she pulled herself up and walked to the door. 

"Goodness, Elena! I've called you a hundred times already! Why aren't you answering?" Elaine shouted grudgingly. Her face looked impatient, but after getting a proper look at Elena, she gasped. "How long are you in the shower? Look at yourself! My God, you didn't even dry or even cover yourself at all."

Water dripped to the floor. Elena stood naked by the door of the bathroom, blankly staring at her mother. 

Elaine walked to her closet and grabbed towels. She covered Elena using one, pulled her to the bed to sit, and began wiping her face and head dry. 

Elena remained mum all this time. Like a doll, she just let her mother groom her. 

Once everything was done, Elaine let out a loud sigh. She sat next to Elena, held both of her hands, and squeezed them tightly. 

"Elena, I know you went through like hell today, but you have to be strong. Your father and I will make sure to get your kidnappers behind bars. And… Erika didn't know about what happened to you. We didn't tell her because we were afraid this might affect her negatively. You know it too, right?" Elaine caressed Elena's cheek tenderly and repeated, "Right, Elena?"

Elena nodded slowly. 

Elaine's face brightened. She pulled Elena to her arms and planted a soft kiss on top of her head. "Thank you for understanding, my daughter. Mom loves you."

Elaine stood after that. As she walked to the door, she added, "You should come downstairs if you're hungry, Elena. Dinner is ready."

Elena froze. Dinner? She asked, puzzled. She turned and looked out the windows. Her pupils shook after seeing the dark surroundings. Sun had already set long. It was morning when she stepped under the shower. 

Once again, for several hours, no one checked on her.