Chapter 62

“What?” Eddie couldn’t help but feel surprised, “That can’t be true - you have a fever, for God’s sake! How could you possibly fake a fever?” “I did it on purpose,” Eliana smiled, “I doused myself in cold water for a good 20 minutes before going to sit by the window to feel the breeze knowing well that I would catch a cold from it - I then pretended to faint just so that I would have an excuse to see you.” Even though Eliana was feeling slightly fatigued from being sick, it was nothing that she couldn’t handle. “Eddie, I’m going to tell you something - don’t look back at the door and just listen to what I have to say,” Eliana said seriously. Eddie nodded - “Alright, I’m all ears. Go ahead - what is it that you want to tell me?” Eliana replied determinedly, “There’s no way that we can go on like this...we have to break free from the control that the Nelson Family is wielding over us.” Eddie couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect of finally being to escape the vicious claws of the Nelson Family - “I’ve always thought about how we could do this,” he said, “But you, me, and dad...we always seem to be trapped in different places. Besides, there are so many pairs of eyes constantly watching us - how can we possibly escape?” “Well, the three of us are in the same place now,” Eliana grinned, “We’re all in the hospital.” Eddie paused for a moment before he said, “So what you’re trying to say is...we’re going to run away now? But...you and dad...you both are in no condition to be running away at this point of time…” “He’s alright,” Eliana reassured Eddie, “I’ve already asked about how he’s doing - he should be fit enough to leave. So here’s what I’m thinking - I want you to go with dad…” Eddie gasped at what Eliana was insinuating and cut her off before she could finish her sentence, “No - we’re not going to leave you here. You’re coming with us.” “Eddie - please, listen to me,” Eliana smiled weakly, “My liver is so seriously damaged that I’ll only be a burden if I were to leave together with you. I can receive treatment if I stay by Aidan’s side - I will recover by the time that you leave and will be able to find and reunite with you. If you and dad leave, they wouldn’t be able to use the two of you as bargaining chips to use against me anymore.” Eddie still looked conflicted - Eliana added, “Eddie, please - dad is already so old. We can’t let him continue to stay with those people under those miserable conditions. You’re much healthier and more capable of protecting and taking care of dad than I am - so please, Eddie, I’m counting on you. Please listen to me...okay?” “Are you sure that you’ll be able to escape?” Eddie asked worriedly. Eliana nodded and smiled reassuringly at her brother, “Of course - you know, Aidan’s hold on me isn’t as bad as you may think. Besides...when have I ever lied to you?” After a long pause, Eddie finally nodded, “Alright, fine...but...where are we going to go?” Eliana replied, “I want you to go to grandma’s old house - there’s a secret compartment under the bed in her bedroom. There are two keys to the secret chamber within the house inside - dad knows where the door to the chamber is.” “There’s a safe in the secret chamber,” Eliana continued, “The password is my birthday - open it and you’ll not only find some spice recipes that had been left by grandma, but also some cash and gold bars. You may use them.” “Grandma’s old house?” Eddie marveled - this was the first time that he was learning of the existence of such a place. Eliana nodded, “Yes, you heard me right - she was the President of the East Salavainstn Kingsfume Guild when she was still alive.” “What?” Eddie was taken aback by this revelation, “Do you mean that grandmas used to be the person of the highest rank in Kingsfume?” Eliana nodded again, “That’s right.” Eddie was in complete shock, “Wow...I knew that grandma could make fragrances, but...I didn’t know that she was such a powerful and distinguished person when she was alive…” Eliana couldn’t help but feel her eyes brim with tears at the mention of fragrances - her grandmother had painstakingly and tirelessly taught her the art of fragrance and perfume-making, only for her to use it on luring and seducing Aidan into her bed… Eliana felt extremely foolish for how naive she’d been. She shook her head and took a deep breath, trying her best to block out her spiraling thoughts as she continued, “Eddie, there’s more that I want to tell you…”