Chapter 5
Annabelle’s brows knitted with dainty pity as she studied the scars on Elena’s arm. “Sister, you’ve suffered. Had we known, we would have fought to the death to shield you.”
Elena raised her eyes in silence; Annabelle’s delicate white-flower act was no different from a year ago.
Annabelle continued, innocence dripping from her voice. “We greased palms at the prison. They shouldn’t have dared touch you! Did you perhaps offend
someone in there?”
Pretending to be gentle and fragile while secretly splashing filth-Annabelle’s specialty-was on full display.
Sure enough, her words struck home; the fleeting pain in Julian’s eyes vanished, replaced by a storm of rebuke.
Julian barked, “All that money was wasted! We sent her there to learn manners, not to a labor camp-what hardship could she endure?
“She must have broken another rule to get beaten! A smack should teach her!
“She’s been in a year and still punished-clearly she’s hopelessly defiant. That year was a total loss, and God knows how she’ll drag Annie down next!”
Elena’s frail body swayed; every word Julian hurled pierced her heart:
The more he had adored her before, the more unbearable the pain now.
Adaline wiped her tears and choked, “Enough. Elena, go wash up and change your clothes.”
Elena nodded calmly. “All right.”
She went upstairs and pushed open her bedroom door, only to be greeted by rows of jewelry, designer handbags, shoes, and clothes-dazzling in their luxury.
She froze; only then did she realize her room had been transformed into Annabelle’s walk-in closet.
Of course-Annabelle was the Bennett family’s true-born heiress. Everything here belonged to her.
There was no longer a corner in this house for Elena.
She turned to leave, but the door was yanked open, Annabelle’s face filling her vision.
Elena dropped her gaze and tried to slip past, only to have Annabelle stretch out an arm and bar the way.
Annabelle curled her lips. “Where are you going, dearest sister?”
Elena met the venom in her eyes, a tremor rippling through her chest.
Annabelle ripped away her earlier mask of sweetness. Disgust twisting her features, she waved a hand before her nose as if to shoo away a foul odor.
With a contemptuous smile she said, “A whole year, and you still came back. Did you sleep in a doghouse, live on spoiled scraps? Must’ve been unforgettable-never warm, never full.”
The light at Annabelle’s eyes grew crueler. “Pity, though-after so much abuse you’re still breathing. I should’ve arranged an accident so you’d never see Mom and Dad again.”
Elena’s body shuddered; she staggered back a step, dazed.
“It was you…” she whispered.
“That’s right. You stole twenty years of my life. Whenever I think of you living like a princess with my parents, I wish you were dead!” Annabelle spat.
Twirling a limited-edition bracelet, Annabelle sighed. “Honestly, my parents disappoint me-they actually spent the year missing you, wanting to bring you home.”
Elena’s chest tightened painfully.
