The following morning came quietly, the gentle chirping of birds barely reaching Elara through the thick silence of the mansion. Andrew moved slightly in his cot beside her bed, his tiny fists stretching as his lips tightly gathered for a feed.
Elara shifted slowly, Every movement reminded her of how fragile her body still was. She let out a shaky breath, her fingers brushing against her belly, the scar beneath her gown a fresh reminder of everything she'd endured.
Miss Jane had come in earlier to change the sheets, Bathed Andrew and had left quietly after preparing her bath water. She didn't linger as much as before, likely trying to stay out of trouble with the others in the house. Elara didn't blame her, but it only amplified how alone she truly felt.
She carefully lifted Andrew from his cot, cradling him to her chest. His warmth was comforting, his soft breath a rhythm she could fall into.
"I guess it's just you and me now," she whispered, kissing the crown of his head.
Tears gathered in her eyes. Her heart ached from Damien's words the night before. They echoed in her mind relentlessly, reopening wounds she thought had started to heal. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't understand how the same man who once held her close now despised the sight of her.
"I'm sorry you had to be born into this mess," she murmured, rocking him slowly. "You deserve better."
The door creaked open, and Miss Jane stepped inside carrying a bowl of warm water and a cloth. She paused, observing the faint redness in Elara's eyes but said nothing.
"I'll help you clean up," she said softly.
Elara nodded and allowed her to take Andrew. She watched as Miss Jane held him carefully, her hands experienced and gentle.
"You're good with him," Elara whispered.
Miss Jane smiled faintly. "I raised my younger siblings back home."
"You've never mentioned having a family."
"There's not much to say," she replied, dipping the cloth in the bowl. "We don't talk much anymore. Life got in the way."
Elara looked down, that sentiment too familiar. Her parents hadn't called. Not even her brother. As if she never existed.
As Miss Jane carefully wiped around her wound, Elara flinched slightly.
"Still hurts?"
"A little," she admitted.
Miss Jane was quiet for a moment. "Your body will heal… but I know the heart takes longer."
Elara's eyes met hers, surprised at the depth of her words.
"You don't have to be strong all the time, you know," Miss Jane added gently.
A tear escaped before Elara could stop it.
"I don't know how to do this," she confessed. "Being a mother, being alone, being hated by the father of my child…"
Miss Jane placed the cloth back in the bowl and took her hand.
"You're not alone. I'm here, even if I can't be around you all the time."
That tiny bit of reassurance was enough to crack the walls Elara had built around her heart. She let herself cry, silent tears slipping down her cheeks as Andrew slept peacefully nearby.
After a while, Miss Jane quietly excused herself, leaving Elara to rest. But rest didn't come easily. Her mind wandered back to the world beyond the mansion, her hometown, her friends, the dreams she once had. She used to believe love could overcome anything, that effort and honesty were enough. But now… now she wasn't so sure.
Hours later, she woke from a shallow nap to the sound of Andrew crying. Her body protested as she stood, but she moved anyway, ignoring the pain. As she held him close, she whispered lullabies through trembling lips.
The mansion felt like a prison, grand and cold. The halls echoed with whispers, and the staff barely acknowledged her presence. She was a guest in her own home, tolerated only because of the child she bore. Everyday felt the same to her.
One day, she would leave this place. Not to run, but to start anew for Andrew, and for herself. But for now, she needed to survive. To gather strength. And in this quiet war between heartbreak and hope, her baby boy was her only light.
And maybe, just maybe, that light would be enough.
Five years later~ little explorers kindergarten>>
Elara alighted from the taxi holding little Drew's hand, and they both entered the kindergarten
Elara ignored the curious gaze of other parents who also came to drop off their kids in expensive cars
Of course they have every reason to stare as the school isn't just any school,it was one of the most prestigious kindergarten in the country, despite being just a kindergarten, not just anyone could enrol in there, it's for the rich and famous,so seeing Elara come out from a taxi would obviously make them stare,if she isn't rich enough to buy a car then where da h*ll would she get the expensive fees.
Elara was directed to the principal's office where she met with a middle aged lady
"Good morning ma'am" she greeted
"Good morning" the lady replied
"You must be Mrs Blackwood" she asked after took her seat
"Yes I am" Elara replied
"Mr Blackwood already sent someone to settle everything, so now the next stage is to test him, would you come forward darling" she said and faced Andrew who reluctantly let go of his mother's hand and went to her
Elara sat watching as Andrew answered all her questions correctly,all the questions are just letters from the alphabet and she thought him that already, he could read and write it correctly,so all the questions were just easy to him