Chapter 12: Go Ahead, Call Them

Chapter 12: Go Ahead, Call Them
“Fat pig! Open the door!”

Delilah’s sharp voice cut through the air, followed by violent banging that rattled the old wooden frame.

“Did you hear me? Open the door now! What—scared of me? Think hiding will save you? Open up, or I’ll beat you to death!”

The door flew open without warning.

Delilah, who had one foot raised to kick it, stumbled forward and nearly fell flat on her face. She barely caught herself, her cheeks blazing with rage.

She cursed Elira inwardly but held her tongue. For now.

Elira stood in the doorway, a storm cloaked in silence. Her fingers twitched slightly—itching to snap Delilah’s wrist like a twig—but the sight of the entire family gathered behind her kept her still.

Her eyes swept over them, icy and sharp, a silent warning: Choose your next words carefully.

But they didn’t understand just how close they were to something dangerous.

Elena stepped forward first, her voice slicing like a whip.

“Rascal!” she spat. “You finally have the guts to show your face!”

She clutched a pile of shopping bags—the expensive clothes Elira had bought for Frank. If Delilah hadn’t whispered that each piece cost thousands, Elena would’ve hurled them at Elira by now.

“Ever since the day you were born, I knew you were bad luck,” Elena hissed, her eyes blazing with fury. “But this? Breaking the law? It’s bad enough you steal—but dragging your little brother into it?!”

She scanned the room for a stick, rage shaking her hands.

Before she could grab one, Wilson’s voice broke through. “Don’t hit her yet! Let’s hear what she has to say. Frank said she didn’t steal—”

“If she didn’t steal it, then what?!” Elena’s voice cracked as she jabbed a finger toward the table. “Who gave her this? You think someone just handed her money out of pity?!”

Her tone turned deadly. “Wilson, protect this brat if you want—but if she ruins my son’s future, I swear I’ll fight you to the death!”

Delilah smirked and twisted the knife. “All of this adds up to at least six or seven grand. Guess how many years she’ll serve for that?”

Wilson’s knees nearly buckled. He’d just dragged himself home from the construction site, sweat still clinging to his shirt, and now this? The clothes looked pricey—but a few hundred at most, he thought. The phone? The foreman had the same one. Cost nearly fifteen hundred. That alone was two months of his pay.

Now… six, seven thousand? His chest tightened.

“I told you, Elira didn’t steal anything!” Frank’s voice cracked like breaking glass. He stepped forward, fists trembling, his eyes red.

But he couldn’t explain it either. He only knew one thing—he believed her.

Delilah’s smirk widened. “If it’s not stolen, then what? You expect us to believe she earned it? Ha! Or maybe…” Her lips curled cruelly. “Maybe she’s selling herself. With that face? Anything’s possible.”

Wilson roared, “Delilah! Watch your mouth! She’s your sister!”

Delilah rolled her eyes, but her gaze slid past him—and froze.

“Oh? What’s that?” Her voice dripped with fake innocence. “You even bought a laptop?”

She lunged toward the desk, fingers itching to grab it.

The instant her hand brushed Elira’s sleeve—

A sharp cry split the air.

Delilah screamed as her wrist twisted violently. Pain shot up her arm like fire.

“Who gave you the right,” Elira’s voice was calm, cold, lethal, “to question me?”

Her eyes—icy blue flames. Her aura—suffocating, merciless.

Delilah’s knees buckled. “Mom! Help me! She’s gonna break my hand!”

“You little witch!” Elena charged forward—

Only to collide with Delilah as Elira shoved her hard.

THUD!

Both women crashed to the ground.

“You… you dare hit your mother?!” Elena’s shriek shattered the room. “This sin will be punished by heaven!”

She trembled, stunned. Humiliated. Rage boiled in her chest as she spat, “Wilson! You’ve raised a monster! Today it’s me—tomorrow she’ll kill you too!”

Elira didn’t flinch. She bent down, snatched the clothes from Elena’s grip, and handed them to Frank like nothing had happened.

Then her gaze swept the floor, cold and cutting.

“I’ve tolerated you,” she said softly, every word dripping with venom, “for Dad’s sake. For Frank’s sake. But don’t test me again.”

She stepped closer. Shadows clung to her like a second skin.

“From now on,” her voice dropped, deadly calm, “when you see me, keep your mouths shut. Or I’ll shut them for you.”

Delilah’s blood ran cold.

But Elira wasn’t done.

“You want to know where my money comes from?” Her lips curved in a chilling smile. “Call the cops.”

The air froze solid.

“Go on,” she taunted. “Dial the number. But remember—if they don’t arrest me, I’ll have you locked up for defamation. And trust me… I have the power to do it.”

Her words dropped like a blade.

Then she turned and walked into her room without a glance back.

Elena sat stunned on the floor, shaking. That look in Elira’s eyes—it wasn’t human. It was… bloodthirsty.

Frank’s heart pounded in his ears. He knew his sister had changed—but this? This was something else.

Delilah swallowed hard. The rumors at school—the ones she mocked? About Elira taking down a campus belle? They didn’t seem so funny now.

This wasn’t the old Elira. This was someone entirely new.

Frank gathered the bags silently. His voice steady, though his heart raced. “Elira didn’t steal. And she didn’t do anything shameful. She earned that money… coding.”

It was his first lie. And he’d do it again if he had to.

Hours later, Elena was still raging in her room, while Delilah pretended to console her—secretly feeding the fire of hate.

But deep inside? Jealousy burned hotter than anger.

Because the girl they once called trash… was untouchable now.

Suddenly—

BANG!

Elira’s door swung open.

The house fell silent.

Footsteps. Slow. Purposeful.

Wilson peeked out in time to see her vanish into the night. He opened his mouth—then closed it.

Far away, the mountains roared with life.

Engines screamed. Tires screeched.

Dozens of young people crowded the roadside, their voices rising in unison:

“Sammy! Sammy! Sammy!”

Banners snapped in the wind. Neon lights glowed over rows of gleaming convertibles.

The freshly paved mountain road had turned into a private racetrack for Sundrift City’s wildest elite.

And into this storm of speed and money—

Elira stepped out of a cab. Hands in her pockets. A dangerous smile curving her lips.

The night… was about to burn.