Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

After several rounds of interrogation, Ellin found herself locked in a dark room for the

entire night.

In that darkness, huddled in the corner, her mind wandered through memories and regrets.

When the police had found her, she'd been preparing lunch, waiting for Hank and the others to return. Shortly after Hank left, an unsettling feeling had crept into her heart. As the meal sat ready and time passed with no sign of them, that uneasiness grew stronger.

When police officers finally burst through the door, Ellin felt an unexpected calm. What was meant to happen would happen better a swift end than daily torment.

Looking back now, she could hardly recall what madness and impulse had driven her to act as she did. Even to herself, her actions seemed incomprehensible, yet she had done it nonetheless.

He must hate her now. The memory of his hands around her throat, his eyes burning with rage that image remained vivid in her mind.

She had only feared losing him, yet her actions had pushed him further away. Now, any possibility between them was gone destroyed by her own hands.

The door creaked open, letting in a shaft of light that fell across her body. Having spent the night in darkness, Ellin squinted against the sudden brightness, taking a moment to adjust.

Dawn had broken outside.

The figure stood backlit in the doorway, his face obscured. The moment she recognized him, her vision blurred with tears.

Footsteps approached as he entered the room.

She hastily smoothed her disheveled hair, unable to meet his gaze, yet feeling the hostility radiating from him.noveldrama

Richard sat down in a chair a short distance away.

Ellin heard the click of a lighter, smelled the familiar scent of cigarette smoke drifting toward her.

"Ellin Spencer. Twenty-seven. Raised in a single-parent household. Dropped out of high school. Moved to the city alone to find work. Waited tables, worked as a hostess, did background acting. Eventually spotted by a talent scout and cast as a manipulative antagonist. The character was despicable, but memorable and it made you famous." Ellin listened as Richard calmly recited her life story, her initial shock giving way to resignation.

With the police having found her, they'd clearly investigated her background thoroughly.

She gave a bitter smile. "My mother named me Ellin Spencer. She said she wanted my world to be colorful and rich. I changed it when I became an actress."

Richard scoffed. "Were you really discovered by a talent scout, or did you sleep your way to that role?"

Ellin's head snapped up, his contemptuous gaze piercing her.

"No, Richard, please believe me. I really was discovered by a scout. I never slept with any director, I swear..."

Her voice trailed off as she realized that explanations were meaningless now. He wouldn't care.

"Is Hank your brother?" Richard suddenly asked.

Ellin stared at him in horror, shaking her head. "This is all my fault. None of it has anything to do with Hank."

Her expression darkened, her voice taking on a pleading tone.

"I know you hate me, and I don't expect forgiveness. But please, leave Hank out of this.

He's always been sickly. I failed him as a sister," she added.

Richard remained silent for a long moment.

Ellin's heart sank, hope giving way to despair.

After a night in this cell, she had already reached the depths of desperation.

She would have to face the consequences of her actions.

Finally, Richard's cold, measured voice broke the silence. "You don't have children, so you can't understand the pain of losing one. But imagine losing your brother."

His words struck her like a physical blow, condemning her to hell.

Ellin crawled desperately to Richard's feet, clutching at his pant leg, begging.

"Richard, I was wrong, terribly wrong. I'll take any punishment, but please, spare Hank. He's innocent. None of this is his fault."

"What you did is unforgivable."

Richard kicked her away in disgust, cigarette ash falling onto her clothes.

Ellin lay on the floor, tears dropping onto the concrete.

"Yes, what I did was unforgivable. I know that. I admit it. Richard, I'm not asking for your forgiveness, just don't punish Hank. He's been sickly since childhood, and..."

"Shut up!" Richard cut her off irritably.

"Why did you take your anger out on Abby? Did you ever consider how frightened she would be when you took her?"

Ellin hung her head in remorse, pressing her lips together in silence.

"Do you know what Abby said about you? She said that even though the lady seemed scary, you were actually kind to her. You bought her new clothes, shoes, and gloves. You bathed her and brushed her hair. And her 'uncle' taught her to draw."

Ellin's lips trembled, tears falling once more. "I never meant to hurt her, truly. I realized my mistake quickly, but it was too late."

"A child's heart is pure. You exposed her to the darkness in human nature, yet she still saw goodness in you." Richard dropped his cigarette butt and stood, grinding it out with his shoe. "Live with that."

Those were his final words to her.

He left, the door closing, plunging the room back into darkness.

Perhaps an hour or two later, the door opened again.

"Ellin, you're free to go."

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

Ellin raised her head from her knees, staring blankly at the officer in the doorway. "Go where?"

"Home. Someone posted bail for you," the officer said.

Ellin thought she must be hearing things, but the officer urged her to hurry.

Having crouched for so long, her legs had gone numb, each step feeling like walking on pins and needles.

Just two days in custody had stripped away all her celebrity glamour.

She was just an ordinary woman who had briefly reached life's pinnacle, only to plummet to its depths in an instant.

Leaving the small dark room where she'd spent nearly two days, she quietly asked, "Who posted my bail?"

The officer glanced at her. "The man who visited you today."

Ellin stood frozen for a full ten seconds, her eyes reddening.

She walked slowly out of the police station, where Hank was waiting.

"Hank, are you alright?" he asked.

Ellin looked at him without answering and turned to leave.

Hank hurried after her, apologizing, "Ellin, I'm sorry. I took it upon myself to return

Abby. Please don't be angry."

Ellin strode forward, ignoring him.

Hank's pursuit was too hasty, and he began to cough.

Ellin stopped immediately, patting his back with concern.

"Ellin, don't be angry. I was only trying to help, to keep you from making a mistake,"

Hank pleaded between coughs, his face reddening.

Tears fell from Ellin's eyes. "I'm not angry with you. I'm angry at myself. I was too impulsive."

Hank comforted her. "Ellin, don't be sad. You still have me."

Ellin nodded, her heart aching, still feeling as though everything was just a dream.

How she wished it were only a dream!

After Abby's return, she became more timid and withdrawn than before, spending her days drawing, seemingly closed off from the world.

Sophie worried about this change, so Richard suggested taking Abby to an amusement park.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the

complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

It was their first outing with Abby together.

After the kidnapping, Sophie hardly dared let go of Abby's hand in public.

At the amusement park, Abby didn't show the excitement typical of other children when seeing the rides.

They started with simpler attractions, and gradually Abby began to enjoy herself.

Sophie was timid herself, but to set an example for Abby, she tried several thrilling

rides.

Richard, determined to maintain his superhero image in Abby's eyes, prepared to go bungee jumping.

Sophie grabbed him firmly.

"Please, no more dangerous rides. Let's try something else." She pointed to a carousel

in the distance. "How about that?"

Abby clapped her hands in agreement, clearly interested.

Standing before the carousel, Sophie said wistfully, "I've never actually ridden one of these. I've only seen them on TV. I always envied the children who got to ride them." Richard smiled. "Well, thanks to Abby, today's your lucky day."

Later, Sophie held Abby as they rode up and down on a wooden horse, Abby laughing with delight.

Richard followed on another horse, seeing their joy, he couldn't help but smile.

Everyone's childhood held regrets-Sophie's, his own. But for Abby, he hoped there would be fewer.

Richard pulled out his phone to capture their smiles.

In his memory, this was perhaps the happiest he'd ever seen Sophie, laughing like a carefree, innocent girl.

Given the choice, who would choose tears over laughter? Who wouldn't want more joy and less sorrow in their finite life?

Tired from playing, they sat on a park bench. Richard bought two cotton candies-one for Abby, one for Sophie.

Sophie hesitated to accept hers, embarrassed to be eating a child's treat as a mother.

Richard, reading her thoughts, pressed the cotton candy into her hand with a raised eyebrow. "I'm guessing you've never had this either."

Sophie felt a pang of sadness.

She hadn't. Growing up with her uncle in difficult circumstances, she'd missed many childhood pleasures.

"Thank you, Richard," she said sincerely.

"How will you thank me?" Richard suddenly asked.