Chapter 11

Hector stomped off the house angrily. Elaine shouted at him, asking where he was going. He shouted back, "I'm going to report this to the police!"

Elaine's breath hitched as Hector stormed off. Her hand shot forward instinctively, her fingers trembling a bit, but her husband was already gone. A lump formed in her throat as hesitation clawed at her chest. 

Report it? She thought, feeling scared and hesitant. The idea sent a shiver down her spine. Not just because of the horror of what had happened to Elena, but because of what it would mean to their family.

Their town was small. The Russell family was a patron of the church. What would people say if the word goes out? Whispers of shame, pitiful looks, hushed conversations behind their backs. She could already imagine it. Would her family be able to bear it? Would Elena?

Elaine clenched her outstretched hand into a fist, pulling it close to her chest. She wanted justice for her daughter. Of course, she did. But a selfish, ugly part of her wished they could just keep it buried. 

For the first time in a while, after Erika's miraculous recovery, the house sat in a grim silence. Before, it was only waiting for when Erika would breathe her last, now, it was dreading what would be of Elena's fate and her child. 

Elena thought there was nothing worse that could ever happen to her than that. However, she forgot one thing. 

And that night, the soft knock on the door reminded her that. 

It was a knock familiar to her. For a fleeting moment, she thought about ignoring it. She was too drained, too hollow to face anything else tonight. But something in her chest stirred, an unspoken hope that maybe, just maybe, he had come to tell her that everything would be okay. 

When she opened the door, Nathan stood there, sporting an unreadable face. His usual warmth was absent. It was replaced by something cold and distant. His head was lowered, as though he could not even bear to look at her. 

Her heart broke a million times. With her quivering lips, she asked with grief and sorrow, "Can't you even wait for tomorrow?"

She knew what he had come for already. She was just delusional. Convincing herself that he would stay, that he would stand by her side. 

"..."

A sob escaped her lips. She straightened and held her chin up, trying to be strong in the face of the first person she ever loved. 

Finally, Nathan spoke, his voice was low, yet firm. He had decided. There was no way to change his mind anymore. "I'm sorry, Elena. I… can't do it. I… don't think I can… stay. I'm sorry."

Elena looked up. Unending tears formed in the corner of her eyes again, threatening to fall. One blinked and her tear ducts would open. 

Nathan let out a devastated sigh, as he ran his hand over his face. 

"I'm not sure how to deal with this. I…" He swallowed hard, still avoiding her eyes. "I don't think I can accept the child you're carrying. I'm not going to be good at it. I just know. Just the thought of someone's child with you… I can't think of a future like that. I'm sorry. Let's break up, Elena."

It hit her like a physical blow. Her foolish self, wanting to change his mind, reached out her hand. "N—Nathan… please," she whispered, her fingers grazing his sleeve. But then, he took a step back, as if even her touch was too much. 

"I'm really sorry," Nathan repeated without even sparing her a glance. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. 

Elena stood frozen, her outstretched hand trembling before she slowly let it fall to her side. The walls of her room felt smaller, closing in on her, and suffocating her. She had already lost so much, and now she had lost him too.

Her attention was suddenly caught on the door opposite to her, which was slightly opened. Her feet moved on their own. She walked toward it and pushed the door open, revealing Erika with a constrained expression, yet the relief was evident in her eyes. 

Erika faked a sad face. "Ellie, I heard everything. You… you can't really blame him, can you? But don't worry, Ellie. I can accept your baby. The family will take care of both of you too. And maybe someday, you'll find another man deserving of you. It's going to be okay," she murmured, her voice was soft and honeyed. "Nate just wasn't the right one for you." 

Nate. Elena repeated the name in her head. It wasn't just her feeling. She was right. Every time she heard Erika saying that name, it sounded so sweet and affectionate. 

Thus, she couldn't help but scoff. Her jaw tightened. "Because I was defiled, right?"

Erika's eyes widened in mock offense. "Oh, Ellie, that's not what I meant at all!" She reached out, grasping Elena's hand between her own. "I just mean some people aren't strong enough to handle everything that comes with…situations like yours. But I'm sure you'll find someone who is!"

Elena ripped her hand away. She finally said what had been in her mind. "You sound relieved."

Erika blinked. "What?"

"You were relieved that Nathan broke up with me, weren't you?" Elena asked sharply, her eyes scanning her sister's face. 

"That's ridiculous." Erika laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Ellie, I care about you. I just want what's best—"

Elena cut her off. "You said he was originally yours, and someone just came into the picture and stole this man you love. Were you talking about Nathan?"

Erika's lips parted, but for once, she didn't immediately answer. Instead, she sighed, tilting her head slightly as if considering her words. "Nathan deserves someone better, Elena. You can pin your child to him—"

"I'm not going to! I just want him to be there for me!"

"Well, that's selfish! Elena, he's hurting because of you. He can't accept you, can't you understand that? He can't love someone who's been defiled and disgraced already! And right now, he needs someone who can understand his choices."

Elena's fingers curled into fists. "You mean you."

Erika gave a soft, almost sad smile. "Would it be so terrible if I did?"

Elena's stomach twisted. She shook her head in disbelief. "How could you do this, Erika? I have taken care of you since we were kids. I was the one who—"

"Elena, please," Erika interrupted with a sigh. "You're emotional. I get it. But let's be honest here. You're adopted. Anyone could have been my sister, but my parents still chose you. They clothed you, fed you, sent you to school, and sheltered you. The least you could do is take care of the sick me. That's all the reason why you're adopted. And please, were you really expecting Nathan to stick around? After all, he was just with you because I was sick."

That was the last blow. Elena snapped. She raised her hand and slapped her ungrateful sister with all her heart.