Elena’s POV:
The ointment eased the pain in my neck, and the following days were quiet. There was no sign of Elaine’s annoying presence or my mother’s constant bad-mouthing. The silence was a relief, but a sense of loneliness lingered, even though Rachael tried to keep me company. What kept me going was the fact that I was now hidden away from everyone’s prying eyes and whispering mouths.
The house came with daily food deliveries, and of course, they never missed a chance to remind me of their cruelty. The delivery person always wore a sickly sweet smile, chirping, “Good morning, ma’am! Your food has been delivered.” But the food was either unbearably spicy or so bland it tasted like cardboard. I knew it was intentional. Eventually, I began rejecting the meals, and after a while, they s
