Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

A woman with a baby stroller gave me a wide berth. “You okay,

honey?”

“Fine.” The word came out as a croak. “Just… tired.”

She looked unconvinced but moved on.

I kept walking.

The Bronx border appeared like a mirage around nine AM. Miguel’s bodega was just opening as I stumbled past, and he looked up from

arranging produce, eyes widening.

“Miss Elara? You look-”

“I’m fine, Miguel. Just… need to get home,”

His mouth pressed into a worried line, but he didn’t stop me.

Three more blocks. The converted garage finally came into view, its rusted fire escape and peeling paint the most beautiful sight I’d ever

seen.

Chapter 120

I fumbled with the keys. Dropped them twice before managing to

unlock the door.

The apartment was empty–of course it was. My legs gave out the

moment the door closed behind me. I collapsed onto the cold cement

floor, too exhausted to even crawl to my bed. The champagne dress

pooled around me like a dirty cloud.

I tried to assess the damage. My knees were swollen and purple, skin

broken in several places, crusted with dried blood. My hands shook

uncontrollably. When I touched my forehead, my palm came away

slick with sweat.

Fever. Definitely fever.

I needed water. Needed to clean the wounds. Needed to…

My phone buzzed. Mamá.

I stared at the screen, watching it ring and ring. On the fourth buzz, I

answered.

“Elara? Elara, Mr. Julian’s assistant called me, said there was some

trouble last night-”

“It’s handled.” My voice sounded distant, like it belonged to someone

Chapter 120

else. “The money thing.”

Silence stretched between us. Then: “Elara…”

“He took it, Mamá. Dad’s insurance money. Mr. Vane took all of it, said

it went to ‘raising me.“” A laugh bubbled up, sharp and wrong. “Guess I

should be grateful, right? For the privilege of being their charity

case.”

“Elara, don’t—”

“Don’t what? Don’t be angry that the money Dad died to provide for me got spent on a family that never wanted me in the first place?”

More silence. I could hear her breathing, could almost see her in the cramped maid’s quarters at Blackwood, one hand pressed to her

mouth.

“Where are you now?” she finally asked.

“Home. The Bronx.”

“You… you walked?”

I didn’t answer.

Chapter 120

“Dios mío.” Her voice cracked. “Elara, you need to be careful. These

people, they-”

“I know what they are, Mamá.”

“Then you know…” She trailed off. When she spoke again, her voice

was barely a whisper. “Take care of yourself, mija. Your mamá… I can’t

help you right now. I can’t.”

The admission hung between us, heavy as a stone.

“I know,” I said softly. “It’s okay. I understand.”

I ended the call and let the phone drop to the floor beside me.

I needed to move. Needed to clean up, take care of the injuries. But

my body refused to cooperate. When I tried to stand, my vision

grayed at the edges.

The bathroom was only ten feet away. Might as well have been ten

miles.

I crawled. Dignity was a luxury I couldn’t afford right now.

The tile was cool against my burning skin. I managed to turn on the faucet, splashed water on my face. It came away pink with diluted

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Chapter 120

blood.

I tried to pour water into a cup to drink. My hands shook so badly the

ceramic slipped from my grip and shattered on the floor.

I stared at the pieces. They reminded me of something. My father’s

watch, smashed on the school hallway floor. My life, broken into

fragments that could never quite fit back together.

The fever spiked. Chills wracked my body even as sweat poured down

my face.

I needed help. Needed a doctor. Needed-

The edges of my vision went dark.

The last thing I saw before consciousness slipped away was my own reflection in the bathroom mirror–a ghost girl in a ruined dress, eyes hollow, lips cracked and bleeding.

Then nothing.

Reborn at Eighteen: The Billionaire’s Second

Chapter 121