Chapter 12
Strings Attached
Elena
My heart thudded in my chest as I stared at Sarah, it was her. It had to be.
She looked old, older than I remembered I thought, staring at her. Her hair had sprinkles of grey in it and it'd been wound into a little bun at the top of her head.
"Who are you?" She asked sharply, her lips twisting into a scowl, she didn't look happy at all at being recognized.
"I'm Elena," I reacted quickly, pushing my surprise away. It'd been years since she saw me, it was a given that she didn't recognize me. "I'm Agatha's daughter," I whispered, staring at her expression.
"You're what?" Sarah's lips thinned into a grim line. "I've had enough surprises for a day," she snapped, her sharp voice making me flinch.
"What are you doing here? Surely you weren't passing by the neighborhood," Sarah's eyes bored coldly into mine.
"I—" the words caught in my throat and I struggled to speak. I'd been prepared for a whole lot of things but not this sort of welcome.
"Well," Sarah pressed, pausing her knitting. "Why are you here?" She demanded.
"It's complicated, Aunt Sarah," I exhaled, trying to calm down. "I have some issues back…" I hesitated, unsure how to put my words. "I need your help," I finally said.
"Hmph!" Sarah snorted coldly, her eyes scrutinizing me closely. "Of course you need help, why else would you be here? I've always been nothing but the air in your eyes, can't say I blame you though."
Sarah's lips turned down, "You have a beast of a father," she didn't mince her words, directly calling Father a beast.
I froze, unsure what to say. Sarah had never hidden her dislike for Father all these years, she'd refused to attend Mother's memorial services and dinners that'd been held afterward. I'd once overheard Father calling her an ancient pile of junk.
It was safe to say they had no good feelings towards each other.
"I just need to stay here for a few days," I said slowly, weighing her reaction. "I'm sorry I came on such short notice, but I really—"
"Save it," Sarah snapped, cutting me off and she rose to her feet. "You don't need to be sorry," her eyes met mine. "You won't be staying." She didn't stop to see my reaction, turning on her heel to go inside.
My heart thudded and a thread of panic unfurled in my belly. "Wait, I…"
"Mummy," Lily's voice pierced the air and she appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "Why are you taking so long?" She whined, pressing her two legs together. "I need to pee!"
Sarah paused, her eyes scanning over Lily. She sighed a moment later, "Bring her in, she'll wet herself at this rate."
"I…" her sudden change of heart caught me by surprise. "Thank you," I whispered. I quickly headed down the stairs and helped Lily walk up. Sarah had already walked inside, leaving the door open.
"First door on your left and third on your left," Sarah called out as we walked in. This… I blinked in surprise as I stared around the room, it was a stark contrast to the old and haggard-looking exterior.
The living room was fitted with plush fittings, furniture, and lights. I could scarcely believe it was the same house.
"Mummy," Lily tugged at my hand, snapping me out of my thoughts, I shook my head and led her to the bathroom.
When we came out, Sarah was seated in the living room.
"Greet your great aunt Sarah," I nudged Lily forward towards Sarah.
"You look like my late Grandma," Lily suddenly blurted out, her eyes fixed curiously on Sarah.
"Lily!" I snapped, warning her. I glanced at Sarah, hoping she wasn't annoyed.
"Hahaha," Sarah chuckled, her eyes glimmering with emotions as she stared at Lily. "Come here little one," she stretched a hand out. Lily hesitated, glancing back at me and I nodded, saying it was fine.
"You have your mother's eyes," Sarah commented, her hands ruffling Lily's hair. "You must be tired, what would you like to eat?" she asked Lily.
"I would like…" Lily whispered a bunch of things in her ear.
"It's fine," Sarah didn't protest. As she spoke a maid appeared silently. "Follow Rose here," Sarah nudged Lily forward.
"She'll give you something to eat, me and your mother will have a little chat."
Lily nodded obediently and she followed the maid, disappearing down the corridor.
I stared behind them for a moment but Sarah cleared her throat at that moment.
"You can't stay here," her first words made my heart sink.
"Please, Aunt Sarah, I—" I took a deep breath, about to speak but she cut me off.
"I know all about your marriage to that Landon kid," my brows shot up in surprise as she referred to Damien.
"I don't want to know why you're running away. But…" Sarah's eyes narrowed, "I don't intend on getting mixed up in it. I've enough bad blood between me and that father of yours. I don't intend to add to it."
"Aunt Sarah, please," I was panicking, this was my last and only hope. "If not for me, for Lily," I whispered. "She doesn't deserve to be mixed up in any of this," I held Sarah's gaze, mentally willing her to understand me.
"You can't stay here," Sarah's words made my heart sink to the pit of my belly. "I promised your father that I'd never interfere in his business, I've kept that promise and I will continue keeping it."
My eyes dimmed as her words sank in, according to her, she wasn't going to interfere.
"But I'll make some arrangements," Sarah gazed at me measuredly. "Albert will give me face this once," she waved her hands dismissively.
"I…" The change had come too quickly and for a moment I couldn't react. "Thank you, Aunt Sarah," I whispered, my voice clogging with emotion.
But she wasn't done talking. "I'll do this," Sarah continued. "But on one condition."
Condition? My brows shot up and I stared, stunned. Sarah's expression was grim, whatever it was. It didn't look good.