Chapter 4
In the dressing room. Aliana opened the door and found Olivia and Ethan already waiting. But they weren’t alone.
Her attention immediately shifted to another figure standing behind her parents–a woman, a few years younger, wearing a modest cream–colored dress. Her face was pale, her eyes tense and sorrowful.
“Aliana, Ethan stepped forward with a small, measured smile. His voice was flat but laced with significance. “Before you do anything else, I want to introduce someone to you.”
The woman behind him stepped forward, bowing her head respectfully.
“This is Elena Rossa, Ethan continued. “She was Alicia’s most trusted companion. She served her for years and was a firsthand witness to many things your sister endured”
Aliana showed no o reaction, but her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Elena from head to toe.
“Elena was the only one with Alicia before she died.” Ethan added. “She even witnessed the moment Alicia’s car rwent over the cliff”
Aliana’s expression remained unreadable as she fixed her gaze on Elena, who kept her head down, seemingly afraid to look directly at her.
“Yesterday, Elena couldn’t attend the funeral. She was hospitalized from the shock of witnessing the incident,” Ethan said. “I know you have no one to trust in the Velor household. That’s why I brought her here. She’ll stay by your side. You can trust her–just like Alicia did.
Aliana said nothing at first. Her eyes stayed narrowed as she continued to assess Elena.
Elena trembled. Her large eyes met Aliana’s for a moment–eyes identical to Alicia’s–and tears welled up instantly.
Realizing she was crying. Elena lifted her head slightly and tried to speak, her voice trembling.
“Forgive me,” Elena said quietly, stifling a sob. “You look so much like Miss Alicia. It feels like seeing her again. I.. I promise to do anything I can to help you. Miss Aliana. I swear, in Alicia’s name.”
Aliana remained motionless, her face unreadable. After a moment, she glanced at her parents.
“I want to change,” she said. “If there’s nothing else, you may go.”
Before Ethan or Olivia could respond, Elena stepped forward
“Miss Aliana, please allow me to assist you
Aliana looked at her, then gave a small nod, as if finding no reason to refuse. Ethan smiled faintly and patted Olivia’s shoulder, signaling that they should leave.
Once the door closed behind them, Elena quickly began to help Aliana out of the heavy wedding gown. Her hands moved deftly, though they still trembled slightly. Tears continued to glisten in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Aliana studied Elena through the mirror. She said nothing, but her mind was racing. If Elena had truly been the closest person to Alicia, she was likely a vital source of truth. Still, Aliana knew not to trust too quickly–even someone who appeared genuine.
“Elena” Aliana broke the silence.
Elena paused and met Aliana’s gaze through the mirror. “Yes, Miss?”
“Tell me what really happened to Alicia. I want to know everything.” Her voice was calm but steely.
Elena hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Yes, Miss. I’ll tell you everything!
She took a deep breath to steady herself. Her hands clutched Alicia’s gown tightly, freshly removed from Aliana’s body.
“It all started at a charity event at the orphanage,” Elena began, her voice trembling “Miss Alicia was invited as the guest of honor. She often attended such events–she loved helping others”
Elena paused, swallowing hard before continuing.
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Chapter 4
“I accompanied her throughout the event. Everything went smoothly until the late afternoon. Suddenly, Alicia went missing. We searched everywhere, but no one knew where she had gone. Panic set in.”
Aliana continued watching her reflection in the mirror, her face expressionless. “And then?”
“That night, someone brought Miss Alicia home,” Elena said softly, her voice barely audible. “I found her lying at the doorstep. Her clothes were tom, her body covered in bruises and… signs of a man’s touch.”
Elena bit her lower lip, tears spilling down her cheeks.
After that, Miss Alicia didn’t speak. She just cried and screamed. Mr. and Mrs. Zavier called a doctor immediately. But.. the physical wounds were nothing compared to the emotional damage. She couldn’t stop crying. She kept saying she was dirty. that her life was ruined.”
Aliana clenched her fists but said nothing.
“We tried everything to calm her,” Elena continued. “But whenever she was alone, she tried to end her life. She tried to drown herself in the bathtub, slit her wrists even jumped from the balcony. We had to watch her constantly.”
Aliana inhaled deeply to steady herself.
Then one day, Alicia seemed calm,” Elena said with a softened voice. “She stopped crying. She no longer tried to hurt herself. I thought she
was getting better. She even left the house to pick up her wedding gown”
But
was just an illusion,” Aliana interjected, her voice bitter.
Elena nodded, fresh tears falling.
“Miss Alicia asked me to accompany her. On the way back, she asked to stop near the cliff. She said she wanted to enjoy the view. I didn’t suspect a thing. She asked the driver and me to step out of the car. But then… I realized she had gotten back in. She was behind the wheel. And before the car moved, she said just one thing-
Elena’s voice broke again.
“What did she say?” Aliana asked sharply.
“She said, ‘I’m tired.”
Elena wept, covering her face. “And then it happened. Her car sped toward the cliff. I couldn’t stop her. It plunged off the edge and exploded at the bottom. L. I could only watch. I couldn’t do anything..”
Aliana stood in silence. Her expression didn’t change, though her heart burned with grief and rage. She let Elena cry, saying nothing for several moments.
When Elena began to calm down, Aliana spoke.
“Elena–did Alicia ever tell you who hurt her?”
Elena raised her tear–streaked face, eyes red and swollen.
is all Bianca’s doing, never let me live in peace.
“She never named anyone. But once, she said… “I know this is all Bian
Aliana closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting the name Aliana knew she couldn’t rely solely on Elena’s story.
e sink in. Bianca Lorraine. Andrian’s lover. A woman with clear motive. Hut
“Listen carefully.” Altana said in a firm voice. “From now on, you’ll stay close to me. You’ll be my eyes and ears in the Velor household. If anything seems suspicious, you tell me immediately.”
Elena nodded quickly, fear still etched on her face:
“I swear, Miss Aliana. I’ll do anything to help you. For Miss Alicia.
Aliana said nothing more. She turned away from the mirror and walked out of the room.
Her mind was already forming a plan
She wouldn’t stop until she uncovered the truth behind her sister’s death.
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