Chapter 3 - Vanished without a trace
Giselle
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked out of the airplane window, the landscape below becoming a blur of colors and shapes. The weight of my decision pressed heavily on my chest, and the ache of leaving behind my entire life was almost unbearable. As the city lights disappeared into the distance, I felt a deep pang of sadness, knowing that I was leaving without the opportunity to say goodbye, especially to the two people who meant the most to me – my father and Andrew.
The memory of my father's kind smile and his unwavering support played in my mind like a broken record. How I wished I could have looked into his eyes one last time, to tell him that I loved him and that I was leaving not because of him, but to protect him from the web of deceit that had entangled us all.
And Andrew... The thought of not being able to look into his eyes, to explain why I had vanished without a trace, brought fresh tears to my eyes. He had been my rock, my partner, and my confidant. The man I had planned to spend the rest of my life with. Leaving him without a proper goodbye felt like a betrayal of the love we had shared.
The flight felt longer than I had anticipated, each passing minute a reminder of the distance growing between me and the life I had known. I wiped away my tears with a shaky hand, determined to stay strong in the face of this heart-wrenching departure.
As the plane touched down in an unfamiliar city, I took a deep, shuddering breath. This was a fresh start, a chance to rebuild my life and find a way to heal from the wounds that had been inflicted upon me. But even in the midst of my determination, the ache of leaving behind those I loved was a constant presence in my heart.
I settled into a small hotel room, the silence around me amplifying the ache of loneliness. I couldn't help but imagine what my life could have been if things had turned out differently. If I had been able to walk down the aisle with Andrew, to share our vows and declare our love in front of our families and friends.
The nights were the hardest. Alone in the darkness, the absence of familiar faces and comforting embraces felt like a gaping hole in my heart. I would clench my fists, fighting back the sobs that threatened to escape, the weight of my choices crashing down on me.
In the confines of their luxurious home, they celebrated their apparent victory. Elvie's laughter echoed through the halls, mingling with Jasmine's delighted exclamations. They clinked glasses of champagne, toasting to a future that was now free from the shadows of my presence.
"Finally, we're in control," Elvie said, her voice dripping with vindication. "No more competition for Father's attention, no more sharing his wealth. It's all ours now."
Jasmine nodded, her smile resembling that of a predator who had successfully cornered its prey. "Giselle's departure was the best thing that could have happened to us. With her out of the picture, we have a clear path to securing our future."
The air was thick with their shared satisfaction, their plan to manipulate me into leaving having succeeded beyond their expectations. They had orchestrated my disappearance, playing on my vulnerabilities and fears, and now they reveled in the results.
"We just need to make sure that Giselle never comes back," Elvie mused, a calculating glint in her eyes. "We can't afford any loose ends."
Jasmine nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, I've made sure that she won't be able to come back. Our threats and the video will keep her away, and we'll maintain our hold on Father's wealth."
Jasmine's eyes gleamed with a mixture of determination and calculation as she looked at her daughter, Elvie. They were sitting in the opulent living room of their mansion, the air heavy with the weight of their secrets and ambitions.
"Elvie, my dear," Jasmine began, her voice honeyed with false sweetness, "it's time for you to step up. Giselle's departure has left a void, and you have a golden opportunity to fill it."
Elvie looked at her mother, a mix of curiosity and eagerness in her eyes. "What do you mean, Mother?"
Jasmine's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Andrew Yardley, of course. He's now free from Giselle's hold, and it's up to you to capture his attention. You know how much he admired Giselle. Use that to your advantage."
Elvie's gaze sharpened, a spark of ambition igniting within her. "You want me to pursue Andrew?"
Jasmine nodded, her eyes never leaving Elvie's. "Yes, my dear. Make him see you, make him realize that you are the one who truly deserves his affection. Show him that you are the woman he needs by his side."
Elvie's mind raced with the possibilities. If she could win over Andrew, not only would she secure her place in his heart, but she would also cement her status as Simon's favored daughter. The allure of power and wealth was intoxicating, and she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve it.
Jasmine's voice took on a hint of urgency. "This is your chance to become Simon's only daughter in his eyes, to become the sole heir to his fortune. With Giselle out of the picture, you have the opportunity to claim what is rightfully yours."
Elvie's determination burned brighter. She had always resented Giselle for stealing the spotlight, for being the favored one. Now, with her gone, Elvie could finally step into the spotlight herself, and she was ready to do whatever it took to achieve that.
"I'll do it, Mother," Elvie said firmly. "I'll make Andrew notice me, and I'll make sure he sees me as the one who should have been by his side all along."
Jasmine's smile widened, her approval evident. "Good. Remember, my dear, this is not just about Andrew. This is about securing our future, about ensuring that the wealth and power Simon’s possesses rightfully belongs to us."