Unlawful Shadows | +18

Chapter 17

Elowen's POV

I stood amidst the chaos of boxes and movers, my gaze drifting around my now-empty apartment. It had been my sanctuary, a haven where I could retreat from the chaos of the world outside. The familiar sight of my kitchen, with its well-loved pots and pans, brought a pang of nostalgia. It was here that I had spent countless hours experimenting with recipes, finding solace in the rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the comforting aroma of simmering spices.

My gaze lingered on the window, a portal to the world beyond my four walls. It had been my favourite spot, a place where I could lose myself in the beauty of the sunset painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Each evening, I would stand by the window, a silent observer of nature's masterpiece, finding peace in the transient beauty of the moment.

But now, as I watched the movers cart away my belongings, my once-beloved apartment felt foreign, its walls no longer offering the same sense of security. The memories that had once brought me comfort now felt bittersweet, a reminder of what I was leaving behind.

With a heavy heart, I realized that this was no longer my home. It was simply a shell, devoid of the warmth and familiarity that had once defined it.

As I took one last sweeping glance around my now-empty apartment, a voice interrupted my reverie. "Elowen, are you ready to leave?" The sound of Lysander's voice pulled me back to the present, and I turned to see him standing there, looking effortlessly handsome in just a shirt and slacks. His usually impeccable appearance was softened by the tousled state of his hair, a sight I rarely had the privilege of witnessing.

For a moment, I was struck dumb, my breath catching in my throat as butterflies danced in my stomach. Quickly regaining my composure, I nodded, reminding myself that he was my boss, nothing more. With a mental shake, I followed him out of the apartment, focusing on the task at hand.

As we made our way towards my car, a familiar voice shattered the relative calm of the moment. "Elowen!" The shrill tone sent a shiver down my spine, and I turned slowly, dreading what I would see. My heart sank as I laid eyes on my stepmother, her features contorted in a mask of hate.

Her perfectly coiffed hair and flawless makeup did little to disguise the ugliness that lay beneath. Suppressing a sigh, I braced myself for the confrontation that was sure to follow.

She regarded me with a sneer, her gaze piercing through me with icy intensity. "Do you really think you can escape just because you're moving?" she spat, her voice dripping with malice.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet her gaze, refusing to let her see the fear churning within me. "I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

But she wasn't about to let me off the hook so easily, her words like barbs aimed directly at my heart. "You are utterly worthless, Elowen," she continued, her voice rising with each word. "You deserve nothing, not a single penny, not a shred of kindness."

Each word cut deeper than the last, her cruelty a reminder of the years of emotional abuse I had endured at her hands. I fought to keep my composure, but the tears threatened to spill over, my resolve crumbling under the weight of her words.

"And don't think for a second that I don't know what happened on the night of the ball," she hissed, her voice laced with venom. "My daughter told me everything, how you treated her like dirt, like she was beneath you."

I shook my head, unable to believe her audacity, the lies rolling off her tongue like poison. But she pressed on, her words like daggers aimed at my self-worth. "She is everything you are not, Elowen," she continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "Beautiful, accomplished, worthy of love and admiration."