Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 290 Live With That

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.

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.

been sickly. I failed him as a sister,"

remained silent for

sank, hope giving

cell, she had

face the consequences of

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

struck her like a physical blow, condemning

Richard's feet,

punishment, but please, spare Hank. He's innocent. None of this

did

kicked her away in disgust, cigarette ash falling onto

lay on the floor, tears dropping onto the

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,

cut her off

take your anger out on Abby? Did you ever consider how frightened she would be when you

head in remorse, pressing her

even though the lady seemed scary, you were actually kind to her. You bought her new clothes, shoes, and

more. "I never meant to hurt her, truly.

goodness in you." Richard dropped his

his final words to

closing, plunging the room back

or two later, the door opened

free

us for the complete experience-all for free. The next

staring blankly at the officer in

bail for you," the

thought she must be hearing things, but

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

custody had stripped away all her

an ordinary woman who had briefly reached life's pinnacle, only to plummet to

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

glanced at her. "The man who visited you

frozen for a full

out of the police station, where

you

at him without answering and

her, apologizing, "Ellin, I'm sorry. I

Please don't be

forward, ignoring

was too hasty, and he began to

immediately, patting his back with

angry. I was only trying to help, to keep you from making a

coughs, his face

from Ellin's eyes. "I'm not angry with you.

"Ellin, don't be sad.

her heart aching, still feeling as

she wished it