His Regret Bound My Ghost to His Side

Chapter 4

The call connected, and Silas's icy voice sliced through the line. "Had a change of heart?"

Her fists clenched, teeth gritted as she spat, "Why won't you leave me alone?"

Silas paused, his tone unreadable. "You destroyed Sybil's life, and you think you can live untouched? Elara, move back to the Voss estate and play the dutiful Mrs. Voss again—if you want your brother to survive."

Elara couldn't decipher his motives, but she had no choice.

For Elias, she nodded.

Returning to the Voss mansion was worse than she'd imagined.

Silas and Lila flashed their love like a badge, right in her face—every shred of tenderness meant for her now lavished on another woman.

He bought Lila limited-edition purses and custom jewels, forcing Elara to deliver them.

He made her kneel in a maid's uniform daily, serving them as they lost themselves in each other's arms, then clean the aftermath of their passion.

Every cruelty sliced deeper than a blade.

But remembering Elias's frail form in that hospital bed, she choked back tears and shoved the pain down.

Then came the diagnosis: late-stage brain cancer.

Instead of fear, relief flooded her.

She sold her parents' old home, bought a massive life insurance policy with Elias as beneficiary.

One more month until it activated. Survive this chemo, and his treatments would be paid for.

Steadying herself, she met Lila's gaze.

"If I tend to Sybil, you'll cover Elias's medical bills?"

A sly glint flickered before Lila purred, "Skip the nurse's fees, and that should do it."

"Fine. I’ll go."

Without another word, Elara turned to leave.

"Elara, wait." Lila's voice oozed faux sweetness. "Silas's giving me your room. Pack up."

Wordlessly, Elara doubled back, gathering only essentials. Soon, none of this would matter.

The bedroom hadn't changed since she'd left years ago—untouched, as if frozen.

She'd assumed he'd trashed it all. Probably couldn't be bothered.

Zipping the small suitcase, she cast a final glance at the room that once held so many dreams.

Not a shred of nostalgia lingered as she let the door click shut, final as a coffin seal.

Just as she reached the stairwell, Elara came face-to-face with Silas emerging from his study.

His eyes locked onto the suitcase in her hand, and his expression darkened instantly.

He stormed over, grabbing her arm in a vice-like grip. His voice vibrated with barely contained rage.

"Running away again? Elara, try walking out that door. Just try it. I'll ruin you in Havenbrook—mark my words."

She winced at the pain but yanked her arm free. Her reply came frosty and sharp. "I'm going to the hospital to care for Sybil. I'll be staying there."

Just for a second, suspicion flickered in Silas's gaze. He studied her eyes, his grip unrelenting. "You're serious?"

"Didn't you hear Lila just now?" Elara took a deliberate step back, creating distance between them. "She said if I play nurse to Sybil, she'll cover Elias's medical bills."

His shoulders relaxed slightly as he released her arm. "Don't worry. Lila knows where to draw the line."

Elara was done with his manipulations. With an icy reply. "Just don't delay Elias's payment."

She grabbed her suitcase and strode toward the exit without a backward glance.

The door slammed behind her.