Chapter 24: The Letter in the Mailbag

Elena Ward jogged to the village entrance and spotted Robert Hale, the postman, riding his vintage bicycle with its iconic frame. The green mailbag on the rear swayed as the wheels bumped along the dirt road.

"Uncle Robert!" Elena waved vigorously.

Robert braked sharply, planting one foot on the ground, his face creasing into a grin. "Well, if it isn’t little Elena! Waiting for your acceptance letter?"

"Uncle, I need to ask you something." She panted, her cheeks flushed. "If my letter arrives, please don’t give it to my grandmother. Bring it straight to me."

Robert frowned. "What? Is Agnes causing trouble again?"

"She doesn’t want me to go to college. She wants me to work instead." Elena bit her lip. "I’m afraid she’ll hide the letter."

"Outrageous!" Robert smacked his thigh in frustration. "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it gets to you. Getting into university these days is no small feat—your grandmother’s lost her mind!"

Elena bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Uncle!"

Watching the postman ride away, Elena exhaled in relief. Now, the most pressing matter was scraping together enough money for the trip to the provincial capital. She considered asking her sisters for help, but if that failed, she’d have to borrow from door to door.

As she turned to leave, she nearly collided with Vanessa Ward and Tessa Wilson. Vanessa’s eyes burned with resentment, the blisters from that morning’s scalding still throbbing.

"Well, well, if it isn’t our little scholar," Lisa sneered, blocking Elena’s path. "No greeting for your sister-in-law?"

Elena shot her a cold glare. "Move."

"You fatherless, motherless brat!" Vanessa shrieked. "If it weren’t for our family, you’d have starved to death!"

Lisa pretended to mediate. "Vanessa, don’t be like that. We’re family—"

"Family?" Vanessa spat. "She’s a jinx! An ungrateful wretch!"

Elena suddenly seized Vanessa’s wrist, squeezing hard enough to make her yelp. "Say that again."

"L-Let go!" Vanessa whimpered, sweat beading on her forehead.

"Yesterday, the whole village heard your father admit it—nineteen dollars fed your entire family. So who owes whom?" Elena stepped closer, her voice low. "If I hear another filthy word from your mouth, I’ll rip it to shreds."

Lisa stumbled back, startled. When had this girl become so fierce?

Vanessa, unable to break free, finally cowered. "F-Fine, I won’t say it again!"

Elena shoved her away and strode off without a backward glance. Behind her, Vanessa’s tearful curses followed: "Just you wait! My father will deal with you!"

The setting sun stretched Elena’s shadow long across the ground. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. In this life, no one would ever bully her again.