Chapter 8
Nora was slumped over my bed when I woke up, fast asleep.
She looked worn out, with dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept for days.
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My heart warmed at the sight, and I watched her for a long time, not wanting to disturb her rest.
She must have sensed something because she finally opened her
eyes.
“Claire, you’re finally awake!”
Nora’s eyes welled up as she went to hug me, but then remembered my injuries and settled for patting my head instead.
“You scared me half to death! You still have me, so don’t you ever do something like that again.”
“Nora, don’t you think I’m a burden?” I asked.
“That’s complete bullshit!” Nora swore. “You have never been a burden.
“Claire, if the Evans family doesn’t believe in you, that’s their loss. I know what a wonderful kid you are.
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“Don’t listen to what those people who hurt you say. Listen to me instead, okay?”
I nodded, feeling something wet on my face. When I touched my cheeks, I realized they were covered in tears.
After spending two weeks in the hospital, I went home with Nora.
The Evans vanished from my life as if they had never existed.
One day, I came across a news article on social media about the Evans being sentenced for child abuse and murder. That was when I learned that Sienna, who had always been so arrogant, had been locked in that dark room by the Evans, the very people she once manipulated, until she starved to death.
The Evans had punished her using the same cruel method they once used on me.
Nora and other staff members who worked at the mansion had taken the Evans to court.
The painful memories I had tried hard to forget were finally exposed to the world.
Everyone discovered that small dark room where I had been imprisoned for so long.
As people condemned the Evans for what they did to me, they finally realized something crucial.
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They, not Sienna, had been my worst abusers all along.
They served two years in prison, and the Evans family’s company had fallen apart when they got out.
The shareholders had seen the writing on the wall. They jumped ship early, leaving behind nothing but a debt–ridden shell of a business.
The Evans could no longer live their privileged lifestyle. They had to sell their mansion to pay off debts and lived in run–down suburban housing, just like the housekeepers they once looked down on.
They tried to find me to ask for forgiveness.
I had already moved away with Nora, leaving no forwarding address.
While I was in college, she started her own business, and life was going great.
I was in the middle of sweet–talking Nora into accepting my gift when they showed up.
My expression changed instantly when I saw the Evans family.
“Claire…”
Lyla stepped forward, seemingly wanting to hug me, but I stepped away.
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“I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are,” I said with the cool detachment one reserves for strangers.
The Evans family felt a sharp pain in their hearts, remembering
the doctor’s diagnosis and their initial suspicions when I first lost my memory.
“Claire, we’re your family! I’m your father, this is your mother, and this is your brother,” Charles said desperately.
Charles had aged considerably, his hair now wholly gray.
He tried to make me remember everything about them, desperately hoping to reclaim me as his daughter.
I just smiled in response.
“I’m sorry, but I already have a mom. Whoever you are doesn’t
matter to me.”
When I saw the Evans family about to say more, I quickly cut them off.
“There’s no point in this. What’s in the past is in the past.
“I got your compensation money, and I think it’s better if we stay strangers.”
The Evans family stood there stunned. “You… you remember everything?”
“Does that even matter?” I raised an eyebrow at them.
Chapter 8
Their faces grew even more ashen.
No, it didn’t matter anymore.
They had failed at being family a very long time ago.
Now, I was raised wonderfully by her real mom.
I gained weight and became prettier and more confident.
I didn’t need them anymore and certainly didn’t need their cheap version of love.
I didn’t bother watching them leave. Instead, I turned and hugged Nora’s arm.
“Mom, thank you.”
Thank you for giving me a new home.
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Thank you for teaching me that not being loved wasn’t my fault.
My best days were still ahead of me!
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