"Welp, I sent it—the bloody dress. All we have to do now is wait for their response." Anthony stated before shrugging as he took an apple from the table while looking at Mia who's preparing a meal on the tray.

"Let me know what happens." The girl then replied, smile not leaving her lips as she pours apple juice in a glass.

Ella was never a captive for Mia and she was true to her word of treating Ella's stay at the mansion as a sleepover, even if the girl still refuses to leave her room. But despite confining herself, this girl's starting to smile genuinely, thanks to Mia's efforts of making her feel at home.

"Can you ask her to join us for dinner? I mean, that's welcoming, right? Instead of eating her meals inside her room." Anthony asked before taking a crunchy chunk off the fruit.

"I already did." Mia answered, rolling her eyes before continuing, "She may still be terrified, okay? Give her time. I'm trying my best to warm up with her."

"Did she happen to tell you what she told Andrew?" He asked, curious as he munches.

"I'm trying to avoid mentioning him, even speaking his name. And I can't just ask her about what she thought about the man who raped her."

"Bro has been really off since that night. He's always in dad's office. He's not like this." Anthony then sighed in defeat at the same time that he chews.

"Well... let him suffer alone. Out of all the things he could do, never in my imagination did I ever think he would be able to force himself to someone... I know he's been angry since uncle disappeared and it got worse since Ambrose. Maybe what he did to Ella is a wake-up call. At least, someone knocked some sense into him. For now, let him be with his guilt. You, on the other hand, had been condoning his poor decisions. He's supposed to be taking over uncle's place but he had been to focused on vengeance that he forgets he also has responsibility with the lives of his people." Mia clicks her tongue in the end, crossing her arms as she looked at Anthony.

"What did you feel when they call Ambrose a slutty faggot?" Anthony asked as the look on his eyes suddenly changed, like that of someone who's ready to murder. Thinking of all the insult Ambrose took with him on his grave made Anthony so mad that with just a slight push, he will march to Henry Bouchard and put a bullet in his temple. It is how Andrew looked when he was told of the news about their youngest brother, Mia thought.

"He's dead yet it's still amusing them. He never did anything wrong to them yet they used him and shamed him. Are you okay with that? Will you just let that slide?" He continued, teeth gritting in anger as his hands tremble every time he thinks about his little brother. He just wants to explode and murder every last person who's involved but of course, he can't just do that.

"I know." Mia sighed, then continues, "But hurting Ella isn't the way to take vengeance. It won't accomplish anything." She retorted calmly.

"It'll feel better if I can just torture stinking fart bag." Anthony then scoffs in response. Mia shakes her head as she lets out another sigh of frustration. She can't control the fiery emotions of her cousins but at least, someone did just that, even for one of them.

"C'mon, Anthony. Help me take these to her." She asked before sliding in the tray towards Anthony who, too, sighed out loud.

Ella instantly smiled as soon as she heard soft knocks on her door, immediately knowing it's Mia. Despite having her guard up all the time, she looked forward to her visits for never had she met a girl who acts very gently, who spoke politely and smiles sweetly towards her. She even tied her hair in a pretty braid and lends her pretty dresses.

Maybe, this is what having a loving sister felt like? She thought.

Ella hastened towards the door but as soon as she opened it, her smile faded when she was greeted by another person... a guy with silver hair.

"Hi!" He greeted with such enthusiasm but immediately felt awkward when the girl lost her smile upon seeing him and hid behind the door.

"Hey! Dinner time!" Mia jumped from behind Jimin.

"This is the stupidest cousin I'm not proud to introduce to you — Anthony Summers." She teases which just earned a glare from the guy.

But Ella just stood there, frozen as she timidly stares at Anthony, peeking behind the door.

"Uhm... can we come in?" The guy asked, also peeking at the girl who's looking at Mia in obvious anxiety.

"She doesn't like you." Mia sniggers at the guy who then puckered his lips in a pout.

"He's a good guy... give him a chance." Mia perkily entered as she slides her arms around Ella's waist who then forces a smile out.

Ella knew who he is...

He's Andrew's brother.

Thinking that she's been staying in their home after all and that she's with Mia, Ella eventually lets him in. If he wanted to go inside, he could do as he, pleases to but neither he or his brother had forced themselves inside her room. But just as she was just warming up to Mia, she had to meet another which had her pulling those walls high up to guard herself once again.

"I hope you could join us for dinner some other time. It's lonely to eat alone." Anthony says.

It's now her second time getting invited for a meal.

Ella had never dined with her family and she never knew what it's like to have a meal with other people.

"I always eat alone." She mutters.

"Really? Hmm. Then, the more reason you should be joining us." The guy retorted with all smiles.

"Let's not push her, cous'. I'm sure Ella will consider in time." Mia smiled.

After they left, Ella opened the cover upon the tray that revealed the delicious food they brought her.

Mia has been good to her and she made her happy by just staying with her and taking care of her like how she used to take care of her sister, especially in her most vulnerable moment.

She just wanted to be acknowledged as a part of a family that even her sister couldn't show her.

Katy Bouchard is spoiled. Everything she wants, they give and they protect her like she's the most valuable person in the entire world. It made Ella envious. But who is she to even desire what her sister had. It's enough that she has a place to stay and a purpose to live and that is to take care of Katy. That's what she knew and was told to do.

Ella has been looking after her ever since she could remember and not once did the younger showed her affection. As far as Ella knows, Katy sees her as her nanny.

Is she looking for me? Ella thought. Despite being treated differently, she misses that spoiled brat.

It's been 3 days since she was taken and she had only stayed in this room. Even if she's told she's free to check the whole manor, she never set her foot out— only looking at the view of the balcony of her room.

The place was too good to be a cage yet, she felt she can't go out... knowing that she might run into him. Somehow, Mia made her feel safe in this place and she holds into her promise. She doesn't want to be afraid anymore and Mia did everything she could to make her feel safe.

Mia hasn't mentioned him, even once.

But, if I do run into him, what should I do? —Ella thought.

What can she do...

She agreed to stay and make up a lie that could rattle the father she knew... if it would really scare Henry and she doubts if he would even give in with the threats the Summer's made. She isn't someone important to anyone. Andrew or Mia kept her here as if she could do something to help them. They're so convinced that her father would come into their terms if they use her to threaten him.

She highly doubt that.

3 days passed and she hadn't heard from her father.

After the meal, she was resting on her med when she heard noises from the balcony of her room.

Her heart started racing in anticipation of yet another invasion so she stopped and took the table knife from the tray and held it so tightly to protect herself.

Stepping down her bed as slow and as stealth as possible, she walked towards the balcony doors. She opened the door slowly and was instantly kissed by the cold breeze of the evening —blowing her hair and the translucent white drapes of the doors that flowed as gently.

There was nothing there. Only a couple of chairs and a table and the view of the beautiful garden that she smiles to as she walked towards marble railings.

Releasing a soft exhale of relief, she shakes her head at the thought that someone would come barge in, uninvited.

But all of a sudden, a hand covered her mouth, preventing her from screaming. The person behind her was quick to grab her wrist that held the knife. But before she could even begin to struggle with the intruders hold, "Ella, it's me!" The man whisper-shouted. But the familiarity of his voice alerted Ella.

The man then let her go. The girl Turned around quickly and backed away. Ella gasped for breath while the man pulled the black ski mask off.

"Brian!" She called loudly as tears started to form at the corner of her eyes before running up to the only cousin who had been good to her.

Brian isn't always at home for he had to do some work with his uncle, Henry. But on the occasional times he's at home, he was kind to her, even asking how she had been and has been doing which may petty for other people. But for her, it was kindness and concern for not everyone showed that they care about her.

It's as if they don't see her. But Brian does.

"Let's go... we need to get going before they find us out." He sternly said, pulling her wrist after the quick embrace they shared.

They ran in the cold of the night, together with a few of his men. Barefoot, she ran with him willingly but her thoughts were suddenly clouded of worry.

It was her chance to escape but the days she had stayed in this place had her stopping. Besides, is she even needed back at home?

But most of all, it's about how she feels for that poor boy.

Ella suddenly stopped in her tracks and even tried to pull her wrist back as her feet refuse to go which had made Brian stop and look at her in utter confusion.

"Did—.. did my father sent you to get me?" She asked, hoping that somehow, she hold a bit of importance.

The look on her cousin's face told her the truth before he could even say, "Of course..."

"Liar..." She muttered with a forced smile before tears started rolling down her cheeks.

"It's not important. We need to get you outta here. We want you back." Brian held both her shoulders as he tries to convince her, stern as he could possibly express.

"Who does? Who are 'we'?" She continues to ask.

"Ella, I wouldn't come here if we don't want you back." He retorted.

However, she remembers that Brian is only of the few men his father trusts. Maybe he really wanted her back and safe. However, Andrew's face flashes in her mind. The look in his face that night when he talked about Ambrose. It's her chance the know the truth behind the rumors.

She then pulled her wrists once again as gently as she could before asking, "Were you involved?"

"In what? C'mon El. We need to get going..."

"With Ambrose's murder... Are the rumors about him true? Did our family really do that to him? Were you there? We're you involved?"

The rain of questions frustrates the man, being reminded of that night. He never knew what his uncle was planning on the boy, but if he knew, he would've let him go.

"Brian..." she called onto him pleadingly and softly as she silently sob but the man couldn't give any response.

It was true.

The only lie with rumors is his sexuality and desire for men which had damaged his family's reputation.

"I'm staying..." she sternly said, completely pulling herself off his grasp which had the man confused in disbelief.

Brian cared for Ella despite being unable to show her that he really do. It was out of pity as the girl is always out of place and is being isolated purposely. But his pity grew to care and concern when she had shown appreciation even the little things people do for her. Simple things for other people but important to her.

But Brian wasn't the only one confused and unable to believe what he just heard...

Someone else gasped upon hearing her words as he stood silently, hidden behind a tree with his pistol ready at hand but decided to just hide it behind on his back by the waist.

It was just good timing that he was there and he knew that she will be taken.

"How can a person be this kind?" He asked himself in a whisper, which also eats away the remaining bits of his heart.

Andrew was sure that she will go with the man and he will let her go if she leaves... but, she wanted to stay.

"What? Why? why would you want to stay here? We're your family." Brian questioned.

"We hurt them. You don't know how much they're hurting after losing their brother... I'm going to help them." She sobs.

"You will help them? You're going against your family?" He asked in disbelief.

"Because it's the right thing to do... and... and they have been good to me more than the family I knew." She retorted.

"Was I not good to you? And what about the bloody dress... Was it not your blood? They didn't hurt you? Was that just made to fool us?"

Ella's breath hitches with the question.

She was indeed hurt but they only harmed one person compared to what father did who had hurt a lot of people by Ambros's death. Hurting her wouldn't have any effect to anyone. Brian maybe, but Henry or Katy? Would they even cry for her?

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, but I'm staying..." she continues with soft cries.

Despite the uncertainty of what her fate will become if she stays, she pulls her hand off her confused cousin's hand, letting go of her freedom to fight for what she thought is right.

But then, she was her turn to hold his hand tightly, "Brian... help us?"

"What?" He asked, more confused than ever.

"I know you can help us. Father trusts you..." she said and was about to beg when he suddenly pulled her by the wrist once again.

"Just come home with me and forget all these silliness in your head."

The girl pulled her wrist again and shook her head, refusing him strongly but her cousin was decided. If he had to drag her out of this place, he's decided to do just that.

Until someone stepped out from the darkness.

"Let her go." He spoke in his deep, stern voice. They all darted their gazes at the direction of which the person spoke while Brian was quick to pull out his gun. But the man in the darkness just slowly lifted both his hands in the air in surrender.

Ella's breath hitches once again, not because she had been crying too much crying but upon seeing his tall figure that emerges from the darkness to the dim light of the moon.

It felt like it's her first time to see him again after just a few days. She had thought of him for nights even if she wanted him out of her head and prayed not to see him. Hence, never leaving her room.

But here he is now.

"Andrew Summers..." Brian called out and Andrew smiled softly at him.

Both Andrew and Brian prayed that their paths would never cross for when they were children, they were friends. Until they learned who each other was.

"You kidnapped my cousin." Brian's teeth gritted.

"You took my brother." Andrew calmly stated which had Ella dart her gaze back at the man holding her tightly while pointing a gun on another hand.

"I was... I was just—" Brian stammers.

"Taking orders..." Andrew continued the words for the guy, "I wanted to make you feel what I felt..."

"I wasn't there when they..." Brian trailed off as he lowers his aim off Andrew but decided not to continue what he knew of the past, "I'm taking my cousin back."

"She's free to go." Andrew says, forcing out a smile that came out pained, "I don't want to hurt her more than what I've done."

That moment, Andrew and Ella's eyes met but it didn't even last for a second as he immediately looked away—too cowardly to look at her longer. He couldn't look at her out of shame. He regretted what he did and the least he wanted to do is show his face.

He still thought of her as an angel and she'd been living it up for him as to how an angel should be. Even now, especially for what she had just decided for herself in exchange for her freedom.

But, he dared not look at her any more than he would've wanted to.

"Thank you for trying to help us. But your kindness is misplaced, after what I've done to you..." Andrew says, keeping his eyes down the ground.

"I'm not doing this for you," Ella replied before forcing her wrist off Brian's grip.

"I'm staying here..."

Even if he's against it, Hanbin backed away, calling his men to abort the plan.

You can't make anyone do what you want if they don't wanna do it. Regardless if it's life or death, she had made her decision.

"Take care of her, Andrew. I'm taking her back once she's ready to go home." He said before totally disappearing into the night while Ella could only watch her chance for freedom disappear.

She then turns and he was quick to avoid her gaze again as they stood there alone, engulfed in silence.

It was just that fast. The adrenalin-pumping situation just ended, leaving just the two of them alone again. Nevertheless, he was left in disbelief.

How can a person be so kind?—Andrew thought.

"I don't know the way back to my room." She mutters, wiping her own tears.

Andrew nodded in response before leading the way. Ella followed him with both hands trying to cover the opposite arms to somehow rule out the cold.

Andrew was certain she'd go. But now, she follows him willingly despite the sin that has scarred both of them.

When he realized how cold it is tonight, he stopped on his tracks and took off his coat. Ella stopped as soon as the man in front of her did so suddenly and immediately lowered her head when she saw what he's about to do.

She then felt his warmth from the coat he now hangs gently over her shoulder, safeguarding her from the pricking cold. She even had a whiff of his scent. The same scent he smelt the night they kissed by the pool.

It would've been such a great memory if it only ended there.

It was Andrew's chance now to apologize even if he knew what he did was unforgivable. But he became a coward as shame had held his tongue tightly.

Looking at her head lowered down, he sighed softly. He couldn't utter those simple words and he notices his hands were trembling and it's not due to the cold night.

Turning around, he continued to lead the way but he instantly regretting not opening his mouth. It only took a few more steps ahead before he stopped again.

"I'm sorry." He muttered and the girl behind him heard it clearly as daylight.

Head lowered in humilty, he continued "... I can't take my actions back... but I can only apologize for it."

He doesn't know how to properly say his thoughts. However, her tears fall yet again as she listened silently to his trembling voice.

"I regret it every day... I regret hurting you. I can't even look you in the eyes to tell you how sorry I am. But, I am really sorry..."

Andrew doesn't need any response from her. He knew she won't forgive him but apologizing had somehow lifted what has been pulling him to the dirt. But even without her acceptance, he'll be more than willing to make up for his sin...

After a while of silence, she spoke, "I'm cold... please, take me to my room." Ella replied, controlling her voice so it would not break

She wants to forgive him... but she can't.

She wants to hate him... but she still can't.

All these emotions she's feeling were confusing. It prevents her from deciding on how to act or what to say to him now that he's in front of her.

They were then greeted by Mia and Anthony as they entered the main door of the mansion and the first thing Mia did was run to Ella and embrace her tightly, asking if she was alright.

"You let them leave?" Anthony said sternly with both arms crossed tightly as he looked at his older brother.

"It was Brian," Andrew answered cinstantly breaking the seriousness in the younger's expression as he tapped him by the shoulder.

"Ooh..." Anthony sang. "Okay."

Anthony then turned his attention to the girl whom Mia didn't stop yelping about, insisting that he must help her, "Are you okay, Ella? They didn't hurt you, right?"

Ella nodded, but her eyes follow Andrew who then took a single glance at her but quickly avert it and lower his head once more.

But as she looks at him walking away from them, she felt the feelings as that night when she thought parting from him would take all the good things. What's different is, she's uncertain of why she'd still feel this for the man who hurt her.

She had accepted the fact she will never be seen and after years of being irrelevant to the people who were relevant in her life, she had grown used to it.

Only now she wants someone to look at her, particularly the way he looked at her before they even kissed.

I should not feel this way for him anymore!—Ella thought.

She screams inside her thoughts, fighting and dictating herself on what she's supposed to feel for him, to the man who she thought had broken her.

---

"I'm sorry... we couldn't find her there." Brian apologizes with his head bowed down.

The large man then pounded on the table with his bare hand in frustration and anger.

"Damnit! Find her! Bring her back!" The old man demanded.

"Their terms... it's not that difficult. They just wanted to clear out the boy's name. We may agree with their terms so we could avoid all this—.." The nephew suggested, hoping to convince his uncle but was cut-off.

"And what? People will call us liars! Are you not thinking, boy!" The older man's voice thundered and Brian could just sigh.

Of course, his uncle, Henry will stand up to every word he says and taking his words back is not in his vocabulary.