Chapter 54

Eliana was speechless - she could do nothing but gape at her father in utter shock and disbelief. Richard felt his heartache as he stroked his daughter’s delicate face - he couldn’t help but resent himself for being unable to do anything whilst his daughter was subjected to brutal torture and tremendous suffering under the Nelson Family. “Promise me, Ellie - you must take Eddie with you. I’ll be contented so long as I know that the two of you are safe and sound…” Richard murmured. Eliana shook her head vigorously, holding her tears back as she hugged her father as though he was her lifeline, “No, no, I can’t do that,” she sobbed, “I refuse to leave you behind…” “Ellie...we both know that we’re no match for the Nelson Family,” Richard sighed defeatedly, “You still had some power when Aidan was on your side, but...he hates us now. Ellie, I want you to live a good life - that’s why I want you to leave. You’ll only suffer here. Do you understand where I’m coming from?” Eliana closed her eyes in agony as she was faced with a difficult choice - she was well aware that Aidan would undoubtedly torture her father should she leave him behind. How could she bear to do something as cruel and unfilial as that? “Dad…” Eliana croaked. Richard placed his hands on his daughter’s shoulders and told her firmly, “Look, Ellie - I’m old. I’ve suffered tremendously over the years - so much that I’m now immune to everything and no longer afraid of anything. I’ve already failed to protect my eldest son, Bryan - I don’t want to fail to protect you and Eddie too. I want the two of you to be well and happy.” “Eddie...he’s a stubborn boy,” Richard chuckled fondly as he thought about his younger son, “But he listens to you well. Ellie, oh, Ellie - you’ve always been a smart girl. I believe that you’re capable of taking him away from this horrid place - so please, my dear daughter. Promise me that you’ll take him and leave this place. This is what I wish for the two of you.” Eliana could no longer hold back the tears that were streaming down her face - alas, she knew that there was nothing that she could say to change her father’s mind. As such, she simply nodded to Richard without saying anything - she didn’t want to let him worry about her. … When their time was up, Robert arranged for someone to take Richard back to the hospital whilst he personally escorted Eliana back to Blanchard Garden as per Aidan’s orders for him. Eliana walked into the living room to see Aidan and Laura sitting on the sofa. As soon as she saw her cousin, Laura shot up from where she was seated as walked over to Eliana - “Ellie, oh, Ellie, you’re back! Have you settled Bryan’s funeral proceedings? How is uncle doing? I hope that he’s doing fine…” Eliana ignored her and went straight to her room - just then, however, Laura stepped forward to stand in the former’s way. She smirked, “Ellie...I’m worried that my uncle isn’t used to the food in the hospital. Tell you what, I’ll deliver food to him from tomorrow onwards - what do you think about this?” Eliana’s eyes instantly darkened as she gripped Laura by the shoulders - “Don’t you dare.” she scowled icily. “Thank you for your kind consideration, but I’m afraid that won’t be necessary, Laura,” Eliana spat, “Don’t you dare try and get close to my father - I won’t let you off if you pull anything funny.” Aidan was instantly infuriated - he couldn’t help but feel irritated by how hostile and arrogant Eliana was acting towards Laura despite the latter offering to help her. It’s one thing to turn down someone’s good intentions, but is there really a need to antagonize and demean? Eliana really is a vicious and mean woman! “How can you tolerate this?” Aidan chided Laura in an annoyed voice. The latter pleaded, “Aidan, please, stay out of this - Ellie didn’t mean what she said. I’m sure she must be feeling pretty worked up and on the edge because of what happened.” Eliana scoffed internally at Laura’s blatant acting - she should’ve gotten used to it by now, alas, she still couldn’t help but marvel at just how fake Laura was. No this won’t - no matter what Aidan might think, I can’t let Laura near my father. I’m certain that she would try and harm him… “No, Laura, you’re wrong - I meant what I said. Every. Single. Word,” Eliana rebuked coldly, “I know that you can go running into Aidan’s arms for protection whenever you need it and thus have nothing to fear, but let me tell you now that I won’t let you off should you cross the line and dare to pull anything funny towards my father - you’re not special, you know. I’ve been through so much by now that I have nothing to fear as well.” Aidan was fuming by then - he walked over to Eliana and grabbed her by the wrist. He sneered - “Oh, you’ve nothing to fear, hmm? In that case, I assume that you’re unafraid of death - I want to see just how fearless you are…”