“Elliana, thank you.” Hailee forced the corners of her mouth upward. “Your revelation of the truth before it is too late means everything.” She dropped her gaze, battling fresh tears. “At least I learned the truth now and haven’t sacrificed my dignity or donated a kidney. Just wasted a year and endured needless suffering. I’ll chalk it up as tuition for adulthood.”
Elliana absorbed her words in silence, understanding completely why any ordinary woman would choose submission for her family’s sake. But then—
“Hailee, you stand apart from other women who cannot challenge the powerful,” Elliana stated with quiet conviction.
Confusion crossed Hailee’s features. “How am I different?”
A subtle smile curved Elliana’s lips. “Other women don’t have Elliana as their friend.”
Hailee froze, her gaze locked on Elliana’s face as comprehension dawned. Elliana was offering to champion her cause. Emotion welled within her chest.
Growing up with only her father in modest circumstances had taught Hailee to tread carefully, never daring to antagonize those with power. They’d never had influential allies—until now. Though she couldn’t fully grasp the extent of Elliana’s connections, she recognized Elliana possessed considerable standing. Having such a formidable ally filled her with both pride and gratitude. Yet, concern shadowed her relief.
“Elliana, I can’t let you become entangled in my problems,” Hailee protested. It was the truth. The last thing she wanted was to involve Elliana in her problem. She recalled Elliana mentioning the cordial relationship between the Evans and Craig families. As the Evans matriarch, Elliana might strain those ties and even risk being targeted within the Evans family should she intervene.
Elliana squeezed Hailee’s hand reassuringly. “Despite your ordinary background and Boris’s power, one thing remains absolutely equal between you.”
“What is it?” Hailee asked, bewilderment evident in her voice.
Elliana’s gaze intensified. “The law.”
: ν?
The law? Hope kindled in Hailee’s eyes, small but persistent.
“You don’t need me to fight your battles,” Elliana continued. “You need only the law to deliver the justice you deserve.”
The despair clouding Hailee’s expression gradually lifted. “Can the law truly hold Boris accountable?”
“Without question,” Elliana affirmed. “We all exist within the law’s framework. No one stands beyond its reach.”
She added with emphasis, “Using legal means against Boris won’t create problems for me. Pursue your rightful justice without concern for my situation.”
A surge of determination coursed through Hailee’s veins. No one willingly accepts injustice, and she was no exception. Leaving Boris unpunished would haunt her.
“Forever. Yet, amid her newfound resolve, uncertainty lingered. “I don’t know how to navigate the legal system. What’s my first step? Should I go straight to the police?”
Hailee hesitated at the thought of calling the police. “Elliana, if I report this, I have nothing to prove my case. Boris and Dunn have tricked me and would undoubtedly lock me out of the hospital’s cameras and medical records.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “I feel so powerless. Like I have nothing on my side.”
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