Chapter 3: Payback

Yunice’s back stiffened, but she didn’t turn around. It was Paul Powell, her childhood playmate and fiancé. He reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and turned her to face him with a grin. “You always run to your dad’s grave whenever you’re upset…” His smile froze. He saw Yunice’s sickly pale face; her eyes, hidden beneath long black hair, were shrunken and hollow. A chill crawled up his spine, and he instinctively withdrew his hand. He remembered she was a lunatic, capable of anything. Rumors circulated that she smeared filth on herself. The thought of touching her made his skin crawl, and he discreetly wiped his hand on a nearby tree trunk. Yunice noticed.

They had been engaged for years, and everyone, including Yunice, assumed they were a couple. This had fostered a possessive feeling within her. Rejection hurt, but Yunice’s reaction was subdued. Paul hadn’t visited her once during her three years in the psychiatric hospital. She realized there was no future between them; too much time had passed. He felt like a familiar stranger. Awkwardly, he said, “Ever since you stabbed her in a fit of madness, Elsie’s health has been poor. Now that you refuse to go home, she’s so worried she can’t eat. We’re all really concerned about her.”

Yunice smirked. “She’s been skipping meals, yet she’s still alive, isn’t she?”

Seeing Yunice unmoved, Paul’s tone hardened. “I’m telling you to go home and apologize to Elsie right now. If you don’t, you can forget about ever seeing me again.”

Yunice had been submissive to Paul, making him believe she couldn’t live without him. But years in the psychiatric hospital, waiting for salvation, had eroded her hope. She stopped expecting anything from anyone and ceased trying to please them. Letting go of her need for love, she wanted to live only for herself.

Yunice examined the burn mark on her open palm. Pain reminded her that when powerless, stubbornness only brought suffering. So she decided to go with Paul. She planned to return to the Saunders family to reclaim her identity anyway; a car ride was better than walking.

Paul, retrieving wet wipes from his car, wiped his hands outside the door. Inside, he found Yunice in the backseat—her usual spot was the passenger seat. Then he saw the sticker on the dashboard: “Princess’ Exclusive Seat. Other Girls, Sit in the Back.” His face flushed. He quickly explained, “My sister put that there as a joke. Don’t overthink it, alright?”

He expected Yunice’s usual pestering and interrogation, which annoyed him. He anticipated her jealousy if she learned Elsie placed the sticker and braced himself to lash out, accusing her of paranoia—a tactic that always worked.

To his surprise, Yunice simply replied, “Okay.” Nothing more. Paul was stunned. He waited, but Yunice showed no further interest.

He started the car. Silence filled the vehicle. Paul glanced at the rearview mirror, seeing Yunice gazing out the window with indifference. He planned to discuss breaking off the engagement, worried about her reaction, but her apathy inexplicably irritated him. The more she ignored him, the more irked he became. He slammed on the gas, speeding up.

Yunice’s timidity was gone. In the past, his fast driving would scare her, but now, even nearing the speed limit, she simply fastened her seatbelt and remained silent. The car narrowly missed a truck, making Paul break into a cold sweat. He slowed down. She didn’t even ask him to stop. He muttered, embarrassed, “You’re braver than before.”

He liked showing off his driving, enjoying Yunice’s fear, but she had never feared speed; only his injury. Now that he wasn't her loved one, she didn’t care.

At the Saunders family estate, Lily Moore and Elsie waited eagerly. Seeing Owen with a shawl, Elsie assumed it was for her. She subtly nudged Lily aside. But Owen wasn’t looking at her; he watched the road, anticipating Paul’s car, holding the shawl for Yunice.

Elsie’s face twisted with frustration. Even now, Owen couldn’t let go of the lunatic. Paul’s car arrived. Elsie quickly adopted a look of admiration. “Paul always knows how to handle things. Yunice only listens to him…” Realizing her mistake, she gasped and covered her mouth. Sobbing, she said, “Owen, I wasn’t trying to say you’re incapable. It’s just that I grew up in the mountains and don’t know how to speak properly…”

But Owen was deep in thought. He’d tried to pick Yunice up, speaking patiently, but she’d been defiant. Yet Paul had brought her home easily? His happiness vanished; his face darkened. She didn't care if he coaxed her? Well, neither did he.

When Yunice exited the car, Owen draped the shawl over Elsie’s shoulders instead. Yunice could freeze for all he cared. The autumn evening was chilly; the cold wind immediately sent a shiver through her thin T-shirt.

She glanced at the shawl on Elsie, then at Lily, who rushed toward her, sobbing, “My child, you’ve suffered…”

Elsie stepped forward, tears brimming. “It’s all my fault for wanting to live with the Saunders family. That’s why Yunice got so angry that she fell ill. I should never have dared to dream of having a family… If you agree to come home, Yunice, I’ll leave with nothing. You’ll never have to worry about me taking your family away again.”

Lily immediately embraced Elsie, weeping.

Owen scowled. “You’re Mom’s child too. What’s this talk about yours and mine? The Saunders family is your home. No one has the right to kick you out! Don’t ever say such things again!”

Paul stepped forward, placing himself between Yunice and Elsie. “She stabbed you, causing you to need lifelong medication. This is her punishment. She owes you. The Saunders family owes you. We all need to make it up to you.”

Owen’s expression darkened. Yes. This was Yunice and the Saunders family’s debt. They all owed Elsie.