Chapter 5

• Victoria gently pulled Chloe behind her, shielding her, before turning to Elena with eyes that had turned cold and resolute.
• "Elena," Victoria's voice was calm but terrifying, with an undeniable pressure, "your sister is right. For eighteen years, the Fay family has been generous to you."
• Elena shook her head in disbelief, tears silently streaming down her face. "Mom..."
• "Don't call me Mom!" Victoria interrupted sharply. "The sins committed by your biological mother should be repaid by you. Chloe's suffering, the troubles she's faced, even the trouble she's caused today—all of these stem from you and your mother!"
• She took a step forward, staring at Elena. "You've lived Chloe's life for eighteen years, enjoying all the luxuries and love. And Chloe? She's been suffering and enduring punishment. Now, it's time for you to bear the consequences of your biological mother's actions, to take the blame for your sister. It's only fair."
• "Take the blame? It's a murder charge, Mom! I could die because of this," Elena cried out in despair. "I didn't do it! Why should I take the blame?"
• "Just because you're Cora's daughter!" Victoria's voice suddenly rose, carrying the coldness and authority of a matriarch. "Just because the Fay family raised you for eighteen years! Now, it's time for you to repay. If you don't..."
• She paused, her gaze glinting with threat. "I will not only make your rural family disappear completely, but I will also ruin your reputation. Everything you've had for the past eighteen years, I will take it back. You will be worse off than Chloe."
• The corner of Arthur's lips twitched. But in the end, he said nothing, silently agreeing with his wife's decision.
• Elena felt like she had been struck by lightning, staggering back a step as she looked at the woman she had called Mom for eighteen years. But Victoria's eyes were already so unfamiliar and cold.
• She then looked at Chloe, who was hiding behind Victoria and secretly showing a twisted smirk of satisfaction.
• Despair flooded over Elena like icy water, engulfing her in an instant.
• The whole world seemed to lose its sound and color.
• She understood, from the moment Chloe appeared, she had lost everything.
• Love, family, identity, and even the right to defend herself.
• Her so-called happy life was nothing but a carefully woven deception, but it was now revealed to be so cheap and fragile.
• The sound of police sirens grew closer. Soon enough, there was a heavy knocking on the door.
• All eyes were on Elena.
• Victoria gave her one last look. "Remember my words. For the sake of your family and for yourself."
• Elena closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.
• When she opened them again, her eyes had lost all fight.
• She then heard her own voice, which sounded dry, calm, and unlike her usual self. "Okay... I'll go."
• Slowly, she walked towards the door with light steps, as if she were walking towards the guillotine.
• The door opened, and the cold handcuffs were instantly clamped around her wrists, which were once only used to play the piano.
• As the handcuffs locked around her wrists, Elena smelled the scent of rust.
• Then, as the police car drove away, she looked back through the window and saw the tightly closed curtains of the Fay family mansion.
• The iron gate of the detention center clanged shut.
• A police officer at the registration desk handed her a set of prison clothes, saying, "Change into these, number 7348."
• Elena remained silent as her fingers brushed against the rough fabric of the clothes.
• A prison guard then grabbed her arm and led her towards the cell block, the sounds of crying and cursing in the hallway making her eardrums ache.
• "Get in." The cell door was kicked open, and Elena stumbled inside.
• Seven or eight pairs of eyes immediately fixed on her, the air becoming tense.
• "Oh, a new one."
• The tough-looking woman by the door raised an eyebrow, her scarred face moving with the motion.
• She stood up, extinguishing her cigarette, and walked closer. "Gloria, this one's yours."
• Elena shrank back, saying nothing.
• "7348?" Gloria stepped forward, grabbing the number on the chest area of Elena's prison shirt. Then, out of nowhere, she grabbed Elena's hair and slammed her head against the wall.