Chapter 10
Chapter 10
“Eleanor.”
$15 BOHUS
On the first night after moving in, I met an old friend of mine whom I hadn’t seen for years–Rhianne Shaw.
“Well, I certainly didn’t expect you to be the first to come and visit me.”
Trembling, I tried to get out of bed. Rhianne touched her hair, her eyes swollen red. “Who said I came alone? We’re all here.”
She stepped aside, revealing Ivor and Jeffrey behind her.
Everyone had aged. I squinted, trying to see them more clearly. However, it was evident that my vision was failing
- me.
“El, you’ve gone through so much over the years,” Ivor choked back sobs as he stood beside me. To help me see him better, he leaned closer and guided my hand across his face, tracing the outline inch by inch.
“You’ve grown old. You’ve all grown old.” My voice was raspier than ever.
Wiping a tear away with deep sorrow, Jeffrey gently ran his fingers over my scars.
“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you. My little El has suffered a bitter life; she truly has.”
It was beyond his imagination how I had endured these 30 years.
I used to care so much about my appearance, When I was younger, I would brush my hair meticulously. But now, I had been reduced to this.
“No, I was the one at fault. I was too petty back then. El, I’m sorry,” muttered Rhianne. Her emotions were so genuine as her voice flowed into my ears. I waved my hand at her.
She never did anything wrong. No one would have been happy to learn that their life had been usurped for over 20 years. She had already done enough.
“I don’t blame any of you. Not Rhianne, not Jeff, or even Ives. You guys gave me everything I could have wished for. I can only blame myself for being too willful and ignorant. I should be the one apologizing.”
The events from 30 years ago had long been tucked away at the back of my mind. Besides, I didn’t have the heart to hold grudges.
“El, saying that is like driving a knife into my heart.”
