Episode 4. Goodbye
622 Words
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed through the house.
Elisa’s heart stopped instantly.
They are here.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then her stepmother stood from the couch immediately, smoothing her dress with barely hidden excitement.
“That must be them.”
The words made Elisa’s stomach twist painfully.
Noah looked toward the window before turning back to her.
Fear flashed across his face.
He looked too young to be watching his sister get handed away like this.
“Elisa…” he whispered.
She forced herself to stand even though her legs felt weak.
Outside, a long black limo waited in front of the house . A man dressed in a black suit stepped out from the driver’s seat before walking calmly toward the front door.
Professional.
Expressionless.
Everything about him screamed expensive.
A knock sounded moments later.
Her stepmother hurried to open the door before anyone else could move.
“Good afternoon,” the man greeted politely. “I’m here on behalf of Mr. Kane.”
Even hearing Adrian’s name made Elisa tense.
The man’s eyes moved toward her respectfully.
“Miss Hart.”
Not Mrs. Kane.
Not yet.
“There’s no need to delay further,” her stepmother said quickly from beside the door. “She’s ready.”
Elisa almost laughed bitterly.
Ready?
Was anyone ever ready to leave their life behind?
Her father finally stepped into the hallway, adjusting the sleeve of his shirt awkwardly.
For a second, silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then he cleared his throat.
“You should go.”
Just like that.
No apology.
No regret.
Just go.
Elisa swallowed painfully.
She had spent years trying to earn his love.
And in the end…
This was all she got.
Noah suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t.”
His voice cracked completely this time.
Everyone froze.
“Elisa, please don’t go.”
The desperation in his eyes nearly destroyed her.
She quickly pulled him into her arms before she started crying again.
“You have to take care of yourself for me now,” she whispered shakily.
“No.”
He held onto her tighter.
“We’ll figure something else out.”
Tears burned her eyes instantly.
Because part of her still wished that were possible.
She gently touched his face.
“You’re going to finish school.”
“Elisa—”
“You’re going to live the life Mom wanted for you.”
His lips trembled.
“And what about you?”
The question shattered something inside her quietly.
Because she didn’t know anymore.
Elisa forced a smile anyway.
“I’ll be okay.”
It was a lie.
Both of them knew it.
Noah broke down completely then, hugging her tightly while trying to hide his tears against her shoulder.
And somehow…
That hurt more than anything else.
Even her father looked away.
Unable to watch.
After a long moment, Elisa slowly pulled away before she lost the strength to leave at all.
She picked up her small suitcase quietly.
The driver stepped aside respectfully.
Her stepmother smiled faintly.
Satisfied.
That expression alone made Elisa feel sick.
Without another word, she walked toward the door.
Toward the life waiting outside for her.
Toward Adrian Kane.
The cold air hit her skin immediately as she stepped outside.
The black car looked intimidating up close.
Just like the man waiting inside it.
The driver opened the back door for her silently.
Elisa took one last look at the house behind her, and at Noah standing in the doorway trying not to cry.
At the place that had never truly felt like home—
Yet somehow still hurt to leave.
Then slowly…
She got into the car.
And the door closed behind her.
- Writer
