Chapter 54

Aline quietly ate her meal, occasionally glancing up at Elsie. The only sound breaking the silence was the clinking of their utensils.

Finally, Aline couldn't hold it in any longer. She put down her fork and took a deep breath. "Elsie, I..."

The words caught in her throat. How could she say it? How could she tell Elsie that everything she had said before was a lie? The house wasn't her dad's, and she wasn't some kind-hearted person—she was just trying to scam her for money?

"What's wrong?" Elsie signed, her eyes full of concern.

Aline looked at Elsie's worried expression. She turned her head away, unable to meet Elsie's gaze. "Nothing, the food is really good."

She forced herself to take a few more bites, but it felt like chewing on wax. Guilt washed over her like a tidal wave, nearly drowning her. She couldn't stay any longer. After a few hurried bites, she stood up to leave.

Aline said, "I'm full. I should go."

Elsie watched her retreating figure, frowning slightly. She got up and walked to the door, grabbing Aline's hand and signing, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Aline jerked her hand back as if she'd been burned. She couldn't look Elsie in the eye, mumbling, "I'm fine."

Then she fled.

Elsie stood at the door, watching Aline disappear down the hallway, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. 

She closed the door and returned to the table. As she stared at the leftover food, she suddenly lost her appetite.

Aline ran until she reached a dimly lit alley, finally stopping. She leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. Under the yellow streetlight, her face looked especially pale. She pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from her pocket. She lit one and took a deep drag.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Elsie felt tired and sat down on the couch. She curled up on the sofa, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the thin silver bracelet on her left wrist—a gift from Cedric.

Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the silence. The screen flashed with "Monica." Elsie hesitated for a moment before answering the video call.

Monica's kind face appeared on the screen, her voice full of concern. "Elsie, how have you been? Is your health improving?"

Elsie forced a smile and signed, "Grandma, I'm fine. Don't worry."

She deliberately avoided the chaotic room behind her, ensuring that the camera focused solely on herself. This apartment was worlds apart from the villa she used to live in. She didn't want Monica to see it and worry.

Monica said, "I miss you. I want to come visit."

Elsie's heart tightened, and she quickly signed, "Grandma, I have to go to the hospital for treatment soon. It's not a good time. I'll visit you when I can, okay?"

"Treatment? For your mutism?" Monica's voice was full of worry.

"It's nothing, Grandma, just a routine check-up."

Monica looked disappointed but nodded. "Alright, take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything."

Elsie ended the call, letting out a long sigh. She had dodged Monica's visit this time, but her heart felt even heavier. 

She walked to the window, looking out at the brightly lit city, a wave of sadness washing over her.

Just then, her phone buzzed with an anonymous text, including a video.

In the video, under a dim streetlight, Aline was arguing with some rough-looking men. One of the men grabbed Aline's hair, shouting angrily.

"Aline, you think you're some kind of saint? I'm warning you, I'm warning you, don't try any tricks."

Aline struggled, her face full of fear.

The video cut off. The text message contained only a brief warning: [Be careful of Aline. Don't get involved with her.]

Elsie was stunned, her phone slipping from her hand and falling onto the carpet. 

She couldn't believe Aline was mixed up with people like that. Did Aline really have ulterior motives for letting her rent the place? So last night, when Aline hastily departed, it was to seek out these individuals?

She picked up her phone, replaying the video over and over. Aline's terrified expression was burned into her mind. She thought about all of Aline's strange behavior, her evasive explanations.

Elsie thought, 'Aline, what are you hiding?'

Elsie's heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. Aline's terrified gaze, the man's vicious curses, and that ominously warning text message all swirled in her mind.

She tried to calm herself. She told herself that maybe Aline was just in some trouble and needed help. She quickly threw on a jacket, grabbed her phone, and rushed out of the apartment.

Elsie ran downstairs to Aline's door, knocking hard. Only silence answered her. She knocked again, still no response. She pulled out her phone and called Aline. A cold, mechanical voice answered, "Sorry, the number you have dialed is turned off."

A chill ran down her spine, her heart clenching. Had something really happened to Aline? The dim hallway light made it hard to breathe, her chest tightening.

She hurried downstairs to the corner store. The shopkeeper was dozing on the counter; upon hearing a noise, he groggily lifted his head.

"Need something?"

"Excuse me, have you seen the girl from upstairs? She..."Elsie bit her lip nervously, quickly typing on her phone. 

The shopkeeper rubbed his eyes, trying to recall.

"Oh, you mean the girl with the flashy clothes? She left with a suitcase and got in a cab."

"Left? Do you know where she went?"

Elsie's heart sank, a sense of dread filling her.

"No idea, she didn't say." The shopkeeper yawned. "She's been here a while; I have no clue what she's up to."

An anonymous text, a strange video... Everything pointed to a terrifying conjecture: Aline was a woman with a hidden past, concealing far too much. But why did she leave? What was her goal?

Elsie felt a chill run through her. She stumbled back to her apartment, locking the door, leaning weakly against it. 

Elsie wanted to find Aline; she was really worried about her. No matter what Aline's intentions were, their time together and Aline's unintentional help had made Elsie feel warm.

The anonymous sender might knew something. Elsie shakily pulled up the text, dialing the number.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service."

The cold, mechanical voice shattered her last hope. Not in service? How could that be?

Fear washed over her like a wave, engulfing her. She hugged herself tightly, curling up in the corner, her body trembling uncontrollably.