Falling for the enemy

Soft Eddie..

“Ellie, I’m deeply sorry for what happened to you.”

Mrs. Lila pulled her into a warm embrace, gently rubbing her back as Ellie tried to hold herself together.

“Emm…” Ellie murmured, unable to find the right words.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Mrs. Lila continued softly. “I know this must be extremely difficult for you.”

Eddie stood nearby, watching Ellie silently. For once, the usual tension between them seemed to have disappeared. She looked completely broken, and he didn't know what to say.

“You can see this place as your home,” Mrs. Lila said. “Come here whenever you want. You can even stay here with us, especially until school resumes.”

Ellie slowly nodded.

“Okay, ma’am.”

“And please, don't think you're bothering us. You're welcome here.”

“Thank you so much,” Ellie whispered.

Mrs. Lila gave her another reassuring smile before leaving them alone.

Eddie glanced at Ellie.

“Come on,” he said quietly. “You should get some rest.”

She followed him upstairs without saying a word.

Back in Eddie’s room…

The moment Ellie closed the door behind her, the tears she had been holding back came rushing down again.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor.

“God… what am I supposed to do with two million dollars now?”

Her voice cracked.

The money she had fought so hard to get suddenly felt completely meaningless.

She had made a decision she never thought she would have to make, believing it would save her mother. She had endured everything because she thought there would be a future at the end of it.

But now there was nothing.

Her mother was gone.

“I did all of that for her…” she whispered, covering her face with both hands.

A fresh wave of tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I thought I was going to save you, Mom.”

Her shoulders trembled as she cried.

The money was still there.

The contract was still there.

Her life was still moving forward.

But the one person she had done it all for was no longer there to see any of it.

Ellie eventually lay down on the bed, exhausted from crying.

She pulled the blanket over herself and stared at the ceiling for a while, her mind replaying everything that had happened.

Eventually, her eyes grew heavy.

And without realizing it, she cried herself to sleep.

“Ellie…”

Eddie gently tapped her shoulder.

“Come downstairs and have some breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry,” she murmured.

“You haven't eaten properly since yesterday.”

“I don't want to eat, Eddie.”

He sighed, staring at her with concern.

For the first time, he didn't just see as the troublesome seatmate ..

“Ellie, you can't keep hurting yourself like this. I know you're going through a lot, but you still have to take care of yourself.”

She didn't respond.

“Please,” he said softly. “Just come downstairs. You don't have to eat much. At least have something.”

Instead of answering him, Ellie pulled the blanket over herself again, turning her back to him.

Eddie stood there for a few seconds, unsure of what else he could say.

“Fine,” he whispered. “I'll be downstairs if you need anything.”

He quietly walked out and closed the door behind him.

Downstairs…

Eddie walked into the living room, where his mother was already sitting.

“Mom…”

Mrs. Lila looked up.

“What is it?”

“She doesn't want to come down for breakfast.”

Mrs. Lila sighed softly.

“I don't blame her.”

“She hasn't eaten anything.”

“Eddie, she's grieving,” his mother said gently. “Anyone in her condition would feel numb right now.”

Eddie sat down beside her, running a hand through his hair.

“I know, Mom. I just don't know what to do.”

“You don't have to fix everything,” Mrs. Lila replied. “Sometimes, all a person needs is someone who stays.”

Eddie looked toward the staircase.

For the first time, he realized that maybe Ellie didn't need questions, arguments, or reminders about their contract.

Maybe she just needed someone to remind her that she wasn't alone.