The deep blue lightning split the sky on this stormy night, as if it had torn the heavens and earth into two halves.
It felt like it had shattered her heart into fragments, burning it into ashes.
He said… dirty?
He thinks this money is dirty?
Honestly, not just him, even she thought it was dirty.
That's why, all these years, she had worked tirelessly, earning money for her brother's treatment, but never once touched the money he had given her.
Elena struggled to lift her eyes, watching as the Bentley Mulsanne's crimson taillights disappeared into the rain. For a moment, she was reminded of the way he had left years ago.
He had held Lydia's hand, gotten into the car, and left in the same weather.
She remembered chasing after his car in the rain, crying and pleading with him not to leave, begging him not to abandon her. No matter how hard she tried, his car still receded further from her sight, until it completely disappeared into the rain.
Disappeared from her view.
She couldn't remember how long she had run, or how long she had chased.
She only remembered standing at the crossroads, like a lost child, squatting on the ground, hugging her knees, crying through the entire night.
She couldn't find him anymore. She would never find him again.
In the late hours, on the rain-drenched asphalt road, she knelt and picked up the scattered bills, stuffing them back into the suitcase, then holding it close, silently crying.
By the time she returned home, it was already 3 AM.
Elena, drenched in rain, carrying the suitcase, wandered up the stairs, step by step, through the hallway.
Vaguely, she heard an unusual sound. Her steps faltered.
She mechanically turned her head and reached for the door handle, gently pushing it open. To her surprise, the door wasn't locked and opened slightly.
The warm, yellow light from inside spilled through the crack.
The voices from inside became clearer. "Felix, stop, what if someone finds out?"
The man laughed, "What's there to be afraid of? If they know, they know. Your sister isn't here anyway."
The woman sounded displeased. "So, you're still afraid your sister will find out?"
"Don't talk. Just focus."
"No, no, I want you to answer me. Do you love me, or do you love my sister?"
"Of course, I love you. Sophia, I only love you now."
The woman giggled. "Felix, I love you too, especially, especially love you. I'll love you for life."
Elena felt disgusted, as if she might vomit.
In that room were none other than her fiancé Felix and her half-sister Sophia.
From their conversation, it was clear that this had been going on for more than just a day or two. And the entire family knew about it, including her father and stepmother.
Only she, like a fool, had been kept in the dark.
Elena, oh Elena, your love was a total failure. The one you loved hated you to the core, while the one you thought loved you was now in your home, in bed with your sister.
No, it wasn't just love. Even your life had failed miserably.
Elena suddenly found it a bit funny and genuinely let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Who's there? Who's outside?"
A tense voice called out from the room.
Elena pushed the door open and saw two figures on the bed, their faces turning pale with panic as they grabbed the blanket to cover themselves. The smile on Elena's lips deepened.
"Covering up? You've already done it. Are you still afraid I'll see?"
Felix instinctively tried to explain, "Elena, listen to me..."
"Big sister..."
The trembling voice easily interrupted Felix's words. Sophia hid behind Felix, her frightened eyes peeking out from behind him.
Elena coldly sneered, "Not what I thought? Then what is it? Do you want to tell me you're just chatting under the covers in the middle of the night?"
"Big sister, please don't say that. Felix has always loved you..."
Sophia's eyes were red, making her look pitiful and vulnerable. "I won't compete with you, I just... I just..."
"Sophia, you've already done everything with my fiancé, and now you come here saying you won't compete with me? Don't you think that's disgusting?"
"Even if you're acting, at least do it convincingly, alright? At least put on some clothes before coming to me and pretending to be innocent."
"Enough!" Felix stepped forward, positioning himself to protect Sophia. He cut off Elena's words, his voice low and stern. "Elena, Sophia is your sister. How could you insult your sister like that?"
Elena stared at Felix, her eyes filled with long-lasting mockery. "Words of blame? She slept with my fiancé, and I should be thankful? Do you want me to kneel down and thank her?"
Felix was momentarily stunned by Elena's words. "You!"
"Then I should really thank her, thank her for saving me the trouble of dealing with a scumbag."
Felix's rage surged. "Elena!"
"Forget it..."
Elena suddenly felt exhausted, not wanting to waste any more words with them. "Do whatever you want. If you want to continue, go ahead. I'm tired, I'm going to rest. You do whatever you want."
With those words, Elena grabbed her suitcase and left the room without looking back, ignoring the faint sobs and pitiful cries coming from behind.
She walked into her bedroom, set down her suitcase, and sat heavily on the chair, still in her wet clothes, her exhaustion palpable.
In just one week, so much had happened that she felt utterly drained, more tired than she had ever been. Yet some people wouldn't even give her a moment to breathe.
"Big sister..."
Sophia, wearing a nightgown, entered Elena's room. Her gaze swept over the suitcase next to her and landed on Elena's disheveled figure. She then smiled. "Where did you go tonight? Why do you look so miserable?"
Elena frowned in disgust, raised her hand, and pointed to the door. "Get out!"
"Why do you want to kick me out as soon as I arrive, big sister?"
"Sophia, Felix isn't here. You don't need to pretend in front of me!"
"Are you really angry about me and Felix?"
"I'll say it again, get out!"
Sophia shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "What's the point of being mad at me, big sister? It's not like I held a knife to Felix. He came to find me on his own."
"Felix even said he's tired of you, that he doesn't want to be with you anymore. If you're going to be angry, be angry at Felix. What does it have to do with me?"
Elena took a deep breath, stood up, and grabbed Sophia's hand, dragging her towards the door.