Chapter 8
After a moment of hesitation, I stepped forward and crouched in front of the frozen child. With practiced fingers, I signed gently:
“Don’t be afraid. Just imagine you’re practicing at home.”
“Look around-none of these people can understand us. Just treat it like you’re performing for the sky.”
The child blinked, then let out a soft laugh. The tension in his shoulders eased. Moments later the soft, melodious music resumed, flowing through the hall like a gentle breeze.
Not far away, Owen stood watching. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze was warm and filled with admiration.
“You still remember the sign language Aunt Wang taught us?” he asked softly.
The mention of our shared past brought a tight ache to my chest-sweet and sorrowful all at
once.
Owen stepped closer and gently took my hand.
“Elena,” he said, voice low, “Back then, I was just the poor boy from the driver’s family. I alway: thought I wasn’t good enough for you-the proud heiress of the Carter family.”
He smiled, a little wistfully. “But now, I can finally stand beside you with my head held high. Wil you…”
A cold voice cut him off from behind.
“What are you doing?”
I froze. That voice-I could never mistake it.
Damien stood three paces away, sharp in his tailored suit, but his expression was thunderclouc dark.
He walked up and lowered his voice. “Elena, come back with me.”
I took a step back. “Mr. Sinclair, have you forgotten? You already signed the divorce papers.”
“I didn’t read them carefully. It doesn’t count.”
He reached for my wrist. “Come with me. I’ll explain everything.”
I yanked my arm away. “Enough!” My voice cracked. “I’ve had enough of all these years! Enough of you parading women in and out like trophies. Enough of hearing your footsteps above me while I curled up alone in that dark house filled with snakes. Enough of everything-including how you let my sister die!”
Damien’s face went ashen, panic flickering in his usually unreadable eyes. “Elena, I… I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” My voice trembled. “Is that what my sister’s life is worth to you? An apology?”
He took a breath, as if holding back all the words he couldn’t say. “Come back with me. I’ll make it up to you-I’ll give you everything you deserve.”
I shook my head and turned away-right into Owen’s chest.
“What happened?” he asked gently.
1:49 pm D
“It’s nothing,” I said, steadying myself. “Let’s go.”
Damien stood there frozen, his clenched fists turning bloodless as he watched us walk away.
I thought that would be the end.
But the next morning, he was outside Owen’s villa.
He held a pot of rare orchids, eyes hopeful.
“Elena… This was your favorite before. I had them flown in overnight.”
I glanced at the flowers and replied flatly, “You hated these before.”
The following day, he returned-this time with a delicate wooden necklace in his palm.
“It’s a replica of the one your sister made,” he said quietly. “I had it hand-carved…”
I didn’t even stop. “I don’t need it.”
And so it went.
Every day, he came back with another gift. Another apology. Another attempt.
On the thirtieth day, he knelt before me.
In his hand was a diamond ring, the size of a small egg.
“Elena,” he whispered, voice hoarse, “I was wrong. I believed Amber’s lies. It was you who saved me, not her. And I… I destroyed you because of it.”
“I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Let me give back everything you gave me.”
I looked down at him, calm and steady, though my hands trembled.
“It’s too late, Damien.”
‘You could insult me. You could humiliate me. But you should never have gambled with my sister’s life. That’s a debt you’ll never repay. And if you ever come near me again-I’ll call the
police.”
He staggered back as though struck. The light in his eyes flickered and died.
A few months later, Owen proposed to me.
I heard that after Damien returned home, he sold off all the snakes.
He tore down the snake house.
He planted flowers.
One day, while reaching for a rare bloom by the cliff’s edge, he slipped.
The funeral was quiet. Almost no one attended.
As for me, I wore white that summer and stood beside Owen beneath the golden sun.
Laughter returned to my lips, and warmth returned to my world.
The pain didn’t vanish overnight-but I had survived it.
1:49 pm D
