Chapter 180 – When Everything Broke
I was still standing there like my body had forgotten how to function.
Then… “Unbelievable!” Vivian’s scream shattered everything again.
My heart jumped violently in my chest as her voice filled the entire mansion.
“Why are you asking me to leave Edward?” she yelled, her voice loud, echoing against the walls.
Her anger was wild now, it was out of control.
“I did you a favor!” she continued, pacing back and forth like a storm that refused to settle. “I uncovered the truth for you!”
Her eyes snapped to me. Filled with hatred.
“Someone who has been leeching on you, draining you. Pretending to love you.”
Each word pierced through me.
“But she’s nothing!” Vivian screamed. “She’s absolutely nothing!”
I felt my chest tighten. Tears blurred my vision again.
“You should be thanking me!” she went on, her voice rising even higher. “You should be on your knees, begging me to come back to you!”
The entire room had gone quiet again. Everyone was watching her. No one dared to interrupt.
“I’m the one who truly loves you!” she shouted. “I’ve been here for you! I’ve always been here for you!”
Her voice broke slightly, but the anger didn’t fade.
“But Elara…” pointing at me. “She’s only here for your money. She just wants to leech off you! I can’t believe this, Edward!” she screamed. “You’re unbelievable!”
Her voice echoed again and again. And then suddenly she turned.
Her eyes scanned the room. “What are you all looking at?” she snapped at everyone. “What?!”
No one answered. “Get out!” she shouted. “All of you–get out, you leeches!”
The word hit the room like a slap.
“You low lives!” she continued, her voice dripping with disgust. “Standing here like you matter! Like any of you matter!”
I saw some of the staff lower their heads. Others looked away. No one spoke.
Except… “You’ve lost your manners completely.” Ma’am Albright’s voice.
Calm and firm but there was anger in it.
Vivian turned slowly. When her eyes landed on Ma’am Albright, she smiled. A cruel, mocking smile.
“Oh, and look who’s talking,” she said. “The biggest leech of them all.”
The room went still.
“Standing here acting all righteous,” Vivian continued, walking closer to her. “As if you haven’t been supporting her in all the nonsense she’s been doing.”
Ma’am Albright didn’t move, she just stood there. Watching her.
“You’re nothing but a lowlife,” Vivian added. “A leech. Feeding off this house…”
The sound came suddenly. A slap, loud and sharp.
Vivian’s head snapped to the side. The entire room gasped.
Ma’am Albright’s hand slowly lowered. Her face was calm.
But her eyes were not. Vivian blinked, shocked.
For the first time since all of this started…
She was totally speechless. Then her face twisted and she raised her hand.
“You dare…”
But before she could do anything Seraphina moved fast.
She grabbed Vivian’s wrist mid-air.
“Don’t even think about it,” Seraphina said coldly, her grip tight.
Vivian struggled. “Let go of me!” she snapped.
The tension in the room was suffocating. Then Ma’am Albright stepped forward.
Her voice calm but firm.
“First thing tomorrow morning,” she said, looking straight at Vivian, “you will pack your things and leave this mansion.”
Vivian let out a sharp laugh.
“And what if I don’t?” she shot back immediately. “What are you going to do?”
She stepped closer. “You’re just a maid,” she sneered. “What exactly do you think you can do?”
A dangerous silence followed. Ma’am Albright didn’t flinch.
“By tomorrow morning,” she said slowly, her voice steady, “if you are still here…”
She paused. Her eyes locked with Vivian’s.
“…then you will find out whether I am just a maid in this house.”
Something in her tone made even me shiver.
“Dare me,” she added quietly.
Vivian’s jaw tightened. Her chest rose and fell with anger.
For a second, it looked like she would say something or do something.
But instead, she scoffed, turned and angrily stormed upstairs.
A long heavy silence followed. Then Ma’am Albright turned to everyone.
“You may all leave,” she said gently. “Go back to your duties. Clear everything up.”
One by one, the staff began to leave. Until the room started to empty. But not completely.
Maya, her father and Elder Rowan were still there.
They all looked at me with concern.
“Elara…” Maya called softly, stepping closer.
I looked at her. Barely holding myself together.
“It’s okay,” she said gently. “Don’t worry.”
I shook my head. “It’s not okay…” I whispered.
“It will be,” Elder Rowan added, his voice calm and reassuring. “There is always a reason behind actions.”
I swallowed hard.
“Edward is just angry,” Maya continued. “He heard everything all at once. From someone else. In front of everyone.” she continued. “He didn’t hear it from you,” she said softly. “That’s why it hurts him this much.”
Tears streamed down my face. I nodded weakly. And then it happened without warning.
My body went completely still. My fingers froze.
“Elara?” Maya’s voice sounded distant.
My eyes burned and then it turned white. I couldn’t see the room anymore. I was somewhere else.
Somewhere dark. “Felix…” My voice echoed in the emptiness.
And then I saw him, my brother. He looked weak and injured.
“Elara…” his voice came faintly.
“Felix! Where are you?” I cried. He tried to speak. But his voice kept breaking.
“They… took me…” he said.
My chest tightened painfully. “Who?” I asked desperately. “Who took you?” Tears filled my eyes.
“Hold on,” I whispered. “I’m coming. I promise…”
His image flickered. My eyes snapped open. “Elara!”
Voices rushed back, calling my name. “Elara, can you hear me?”
I gasped. Air rushed back into my lungs.
Tears streamed down my face instantly. “My brother…” I choked out.
They all leaned closer. “What did you see?” Maya asked quickly.
“He’s in trouble,” I cried. “Felix, he needs help… he’s been kidnapped…”
Gasps filled the room. “What?” someone whispered.
“He’s hurt…” I continued, shaking. “He’s scared… I have to find him…”
“Calm down,” Seraphina said, stepping closer. “We’ll figure this out.”
“No,” I shook my head violently. “No, I can’t wait. I have to go. I have to find him.”
“Elara…”
“I have to go!” I cried. My heart was racing. Everything felt too much.
“I need to find him…” I whispered, breaking down again.
Seraphina gently took my hand. “Come,” she said softly. “Let’s get you out of here.”
I looked at her. “You need space,” she added. “You need to think.”
I nodded weakly. Maybe she was right.
Seraphina helped me up. My legs felt weak, but I followed her.
As we walked out of the mansion. Something inside me snapped. A scream tore out of my throat uncontrollably.
Pain exploded through my body like something was breaking from the inside.
“Elara!” Seraphina shouted.
I fell to my knees, another scream ripped out of me.
And then a crack. I felt it deep inside my body like a bone… breaking.
My vision blurred. Pain flooded every part of me. Agony spread through me like fire.
Upstairs, behind the window, Edward sat in silence but even he heard it.
My scream and my pain.