The Beloved’s Return

The woman my husband always loved had severe depression. The mere sight of me was enough to make her hurt herself.
To keep his precious love safe, he banished me to a crumbling family home in the middle of nowhere, completely ignoring that I was about to give birth.
Five years after I was tortured and left for dead, his beloved Claire was diagnosed with kidney failure.
The doctors said a close blood relative would have the best chance of a match. Only then did he remember me, her older sister.
He called immediately, his voice a cold command for me to come back.
My five-year-old daughter answered, her voice trembling. "Uncle my mommy shes been gone for a long, long time."
1
Ashton Wolfhards brow furrowed, his voice laced with irritation. Whose kid is this? Wheres Elara? Put Elara on the phone!
Willow stammered, Um just a second.
She set the receiver down and scurried off to find the old town elder. Grandpa Henderson, someones on the phone for Mommy.
The old man, bent with age, shuffled over to the phone and picked it up.
Is this Mr. Wolfhard?
Finally, you Ashtons voice trailed off as he registered the old, gravelly tone. His face darkened. He squeezed the bridge of his nose, inhaling sharply through his teeth. When he opened his eyes again, a storm of barely contained rage brewed within them.
Where is Elara? What, is she too scared to take my call? he sneered. First, she has a kid tell me shes dead. Now she gets an old man to do it? Is this her new game?
Does she really want me to come drag her back myself?
Fine. For Claires sake, Ill do it. Ill come get her myself.
He slammed the phone down without waiting for a reply.
The next day, Ashtons sleek car kicked up dust on the dirt road leading to the old house. He stared at the dilapidated structure, half of its roof caved in, and his lips curled in disgust.
The front door hung ajar, revealing an empty interior. Rotting floorboards and broken bricks littered the ground, and cobwebs clung to every surface like a shroud. Even the windowpanes were shattered.
He shot a glare at the young local man who had guided him here. Where is she? Tell her to get out here.
If she agrees to donate her kidney to Claire, he added, his voice devoid of warmth, Ill take her back with me.
The young man wrung his hands, looking pained. Mr. Wolfhard, this is I mean maybe you should wait for the elder to get here?
Ashtons eyes narrowed, a muscle twitching in his jaw as he fought for control.
Just then, the elder, Mr. Henderson, arrived, leaning heavily on a wooden cane.
Mr. Wolfhard. Welcome.
Ashton barely glanced at him. Wheres Elara?
Mr. Henderson clasped one hand behind his back. Elara she cant come out to see you.
A cold, humorless laugh escaped Ashtons lips. What, youre going to tell me shes dead, too?
Tell her to drop the childish games. Im not in the mood to play along, he snapped. Im here. I came all this way to get her myself. What more could she possibly want?
What more could I want?
I didnt want anything.
I just wanted to live. To watch my daughter grow up.
But I couldn't even have that.
My soul hovered beside him, a silent, unseen spectator to his rage.
Five years ago, on the very night I was sent here, I gave birth to Willow. It wasnt long before Claire found me. She was jealous that I had married Ashton, that I had carried his child.
First, she sent local thugs to vandalize the house, then had them torment me daily. Finally, she ordered them to end me.
They left my broken body deep in the mountains, food for wild animals. It was Grandpa Henderson who noticed I was gone. He organized a search party and found what was left of me, giving me a proper burial.
2
The old elder stroked his beard, his eyes clouded with a deep sorrow. After a long moment, he let out a heavy sigh. Elara she passed away five years ago.
A derisive smile twisted Ashtons lips, his expression turning to ice. Do you take me for a child, old man? A woman like her? She wouldn't know how to die.
His hawk-like gaze swept over the small crowd of locals that had gathered. He barked an order at his bodyguards, Find her. Tear this whole place apart if you have to, but you will find her!
I floated in the air, watching as his men hammered violently on the doors of the small cottages. They shoved aside anyone who answered, barging in to search for me. Frightened villagers spilled out into the lane, gathering in a confused huddle. But no matter where they looked, there was no sign of me.
Ashtons face grew darker with every passing minute. Finally, his patience snapped. He stormed over to the elder and grabbed him by the collar.
Tell me! he roared, his face inches from the old mans. Where did you hide her? You tell me right now, and I might be civil about it. Otherwise, dont blame me for what happens next!
But the elders story didnt change.
With a final surge of fury, Ashton twisted his hand. A sickening crack echoed in the quiet air, and the elder cried out in pain.
A small girl burst from the crowd.
She was dressed in clean, simple clothes, her hair in two neat braids. Fear flickered in her wide eyes, but she ran to the elders side anyway, her voice catching on a sob. Grandpa Henderson, are you okay?
Ashton froze. He looked the little girl up and down, a flicker of something, maybe recognition, in his eyes.
Suddenly, Willow spun around and launched herself at Ashton, sinking her teeth into his leg.
He kicked her away instinctively.
Willow tumbled to the ground but scrambled back up, glaring at him with pure hatred. Youre a bad man! Grandpa told you, Mommys dead! Why are you still hurting him?!
The world seemed to stop. Ashtons face went pale, his eyes locking onto Willow with a terrifying intensity.
Fearing he would hurt her, I instinctively drifted in front of my daughter, trying to shield her. But I was only a ghost.
Ashton walked straight through me.
He snatched Willow up by the collar of her dress, holding her aloft as he studied her face. She dangled in the air, her small legs kicking frantically.
Staring at the features so much like my own, he snarled, Youre that bastard child from back then!
In an instant, his fingers closed around her tiny throat. Get Elara out here now, he hissed, his voice thick with rage, or Ill snap this little bastards neck!
Watching my daughter struggle for air, I screamed, Ashton, Im right here! Im right here! Let her go, please, let Willow go!
But no one heard my cries.
Willows face was turning a deep red, her gasps growing weaker. Forgetting I was dead, I lunged at Ashton, trying to bite the hand that was choking my child, but my teeth closed on empty air as I passed right through him.
Seeing Willow about to lose consciousness, Grandpa Hendersons eyes filled with tears. He pushed through the pain, his voice a desperate plea. Mr. Wolfhard, you cant! Willow is your
Before he could finish, one of the bodyguards kicked him to the ground. The old man crumpled, moaning in agony.
Suddenly, Ashton released his grip on Willow. She fell to the ground, coughing and sputtering. He scanned the crowd, his voice a low, menacing threat.
Elara, you have three days. If you dont show yourself, I will kill that bastard child.
My entire being trembled with a mixture of heartbreak and fury as I looked at the broken old man on the ground and the raw, purple marks on my daughters neck.
In that moment, my hatred for Ashton burned hotter than any sun. And the love I once felt for him turned to bitter, suffocating regret.
3
Three days vanished in the blink of an eye.
This time, Ashton brought Claire with him. The arrogant woman who had stormed into my life five years ago was now a fragile doll, her body wracked with illness. Ashton lifted her from the car with infinite tenderness, settling her into a wheelchair and carefully draping a thin blanket over her lap. His eyes were filled with a pained adoration I had never seen directed at me.
All his gentleness was reserved for Claire. For me, there was only cold indifference and simmering impatience.
The elder and I were already waiting by the old house.
Of course, no one could see me.
Ashtons eyes scanned the area behind the elder. Seeing no one, he struggled to contain his anger. Is Elaras heart that cold? Can she look at her own sister, so weak and frail, and still refuse to help?
He tried a different tactic. Elder, if you tell me where she is, Ill pave the roads for this village. Ill improve the living conditions for every family here. And I will take Elara back to be Mrs. Wolfhard again. That bastard child Ill even treat her as if she were my own.
In his mind, he was making a magnanimous offer. If we still refused, he wouldn't be so generous.
But the elder could only give him the same, painful answer.
Mr. Wolfhard, when Elara returned five years ago, she was constantly harassed by thugs from the next town over. I dont know the exact circumstances of her death. All I know is that one day she was gone. We searched everywhere. We found her body up on the mountain it was it was in a terrible state. I gave her a burial on the hill behind the village. If you dont believe me, you can go and see for yourself.
Ashton laughed, a harsh, grating sound full of disbelief. Are you trying to fool a child? If she was dead, how was that little bastard born? How did she grow to be five years old?
A look of profound sadness crossed the elders face. Willow was born the very night Elara came home. After Elara after she died so suddenly, we couldnt just abandon a newborn baby, could we?
At his words, a flicker of surprise and then pure malice crossed Claires face. She knew better than anyone how I had died.
The memory was seared into my soul. I had just recovered from childbirth when Claire arrived with three men. Before I could even react, they held me down as she slapped me again and again. When that wasn't enough, she ground her heel into my fingers, the crunch of bone echoing in the small room. The pain made me scream.
You bitch, Elara! she had shrieked. Why were you born first? Why did you get to marry Ashton? He was supposed to be mine! He loves me!
I tried to speak, to defend myself, but she unleashed her fury on me, kicking and punching while her men held me fast.
Finally, I lay broken and dying on the floor. She leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper in my ear.
The thought of you sleeping with him, of you having his child it makes me sick, my dear sister. You dared to take the man I love. And for that, even if you are my sister, you have to die.
As she finished speaking, the three men fell upon me.
I dont know how many times they violated me before my spirit finally broke free from my body. I watched, helpless, as they followed her orders and dumped my corpse in the mountains.
The universe has a way of balancing its books. Now, five years later, Claires reckoning had come. The one person who could save her was the sister she herself had murdered. She knew Ashtons efforts were futile. I was never, ever coming back.
4
Claire weakly raised a hand, trying to catch the sleeve of Ashtons coat.
The inferno of rage in Ashtons eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a soft, gentle concern. He bent down, taking her hand in his. What is it, Claire? Are you not feeling well?
She managed a faint smile and shook her head. Ashton, my love is my sister not coming because shes still angry with me? I I can apologize. It was my fault I shouldnt have clung to you But I I really want to live. I want to grow old with you.
Ashton pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Dont worry, Claire. I promise, I will save you.
A deadly glint flashed in his eyes.
My spectral heart clenched. I knew what he was thinking, and I screamed, No! Willow is your daughter! Dont you dare hurt her!
But the dead have no voice among the living.
Two of Ashtons bodyguards emerged from the cellar, dragging a terrified Willow with them. They hauled her straight to the roof of the two-story house, a good twenty feet off the ground.
The elder scrambled to his feet, his voice trembling with panic. Mr. Wolfhard, what are you doing?! Let her go! Shes your child!
Ashtons face was a mask of cold fury, his eyes burning with a deep-seated hatred. My child? Is that what she told you? I never touched her. How could we have a child? This is the bastard she had with some other man behind my back. If Claire hadnt begged me back then, I would have never even let this thing be born!
The pure loathing in his eyes sent a chill through me. My memory flashed back to a night six years ago, to Ashtons birthday party. Claire had drugged my drink, planning to have another man ruin me so Ashton would be forced to divorce me. I realized what was happening and managed to escape, but the drug was already taking hold.
When I woke up the next morning, the man lying beside me, clear as day, was Ashton.
Floating helplessly before him now, I screamed my silent questions. Ashton, if you never loved me, why did you marry me?! If you couldn't get over Claire, why didn't you go find her? She wasn't on another planet! A plane ticket was all it would have taken!
Suddenly, his head snapped up, and his eyes met mine.
If a ghost could feel hope, mine would have soared. But just as I thought he could see me, he spoke, his voice like ice.
Elara, you have ten minutes. If you dont come out, Ill have them drop your daughter.
My world shattered. No! Im here! Im right here! Dont hurt my baby!
No one responded.
I flew towards the roof, desperate to save her, but my hands passed through her small body again and again, grasping at nothing.
The elder fell to his knees at Ashtons feet, begging him to spare Willow, but Ashton ignored him, his gaze fixed on the stopwatch on his wrist.
My cries were useless.
And in a corner no one was watching, a triumphant, cruel smile played on Claires lips. I rushed at her, kicking and punching, but it was like striking smoke.
Ten nine eight seven
Ashtons merciless countdown began.
I collapsed, a phantom kneeling in the dust, forced to watch as he gave the final, fatal nod. They pushed my daughter from the roof.
I flew to catch her, but her body fell straight through my outstretched arms.
At the last possible second, the elder scrambled forward, a desperate, broken lunge to cushion her fall. But before he could reach her, a bodyguard kicked him aside. He hit the ground hard, spitting up a mouthful of blood, and lay still. I watched in horror as his eyes fluttered closed.
Thump.
Willow hit the ground.
Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she whispered, Grandpa Mommy
A soundless, soul-tearing scream ripped from me. WILLOW!! GRANDPA HENDERSON!!
At that exact moment, the young man from the village ran up, waving a piece of paper. Mr. Wolfhard! Willow really is your daughter! Look at this!
Simultaneously, a bodyguard shouted from the back of the property, Mr. Wolfhard! We found Mrs. Wolfhards!

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