Chapter 23

Chandra had her eyes shut as she lay there in a tub of warm water. In her mind's eye, she saw emptiness and darkness. Yes, that was all she wanted to see. A void. She didn't want to think about anything. Not about her past. Not about Dave. Not Lisa. Not her beloved mom, dad, or Grandma Lin. Not Jeremy. And definitely not Lilly's father.

Just a void of darkness.

It was nice to just lie here in the bathtub in a five-star hotel, doing nothing and thinking about nothing. To just simply enjoy oneself as one saw fit. Well, it was her belated birthday, after all, and she deserved some wonderful moments once in a while.

She opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling, her mind blank.

Soriya called out to her. "Chan, sweetheart? Are you okay in there?" She sounded worried. "You're awfully quiet, you know."

"Jesus, make some sound, will ya?" Dara said loudly from the other side. "You're awfully suspicious."

Chan chuckled. "Yes, I'm fine, darlings. Just getting out of the tub now."

Of course, the sisters had never suspected anything about what she'd been through in the dark under Dave's molestation until they'd heard it from Grandma Lin just a couple months before her passing.

Both Dara and Soriya had been equally shocked and hurt, both for the fact they were so naive and didn't know anything and the fact Chan hadn't come to them for help or support.

She supposed it was rather stupid and selfish of her to do that, but she'd been afraid, both because if she'd gone to them for support and got them involved, things would have been even worse and she thought she could handle everything herself.

How naive of her to think so. Yes, she was young and stupid. There was no other way of putting it. Thinking back, she wished she were stronger, and she definitely hoped she was stronger now.

Wrapping a towel around her, she proceeded to put on her underwear as she said, "I'll be done in a minute."

True to her words, a few minutes later, she opened the door to see both Dara and Soriya in their beautiful cocktail dresses.

Dara was wearing a gold and pink dress with short sleeves, a V-neckline, and flowy material that reached just above her knees. Her long hair was formed into a loose bun at the top of her head, and her makeup was done naturally, enhancing her dark eyes and light skin. Soriya, on the other hand, wore a lacey silk pale-blue and peachy-orange dress with no straps. Her light-brown hair was also formed into a loose bun at the top of her head, and her makeup was also done naturally, enhancing her pretty, delicate features.

"Hurry up, darling sis. We're going to be late for dinner if you don't get yourself ready," Dara demanded, giving Chan her white dress.

Soriya shook her head. "I don't know why you chose white, dear. But trust me, that dress is so going to get dirty tonight."

Chan chuckled. "You're right. I don't even remember why I chose white." She held it up closer and shrugged her shoulders. "At least it has some gold thingy about the neckline and the hems."

"Yeah, whatever," Soriya said. "Come on, darling. Alex is about ready already. You're going to be the last one."

Chan chuckled as Soriya nudged her toward the bathroom once again to get changed.

Once the door was closed, Chan started doing her makeup and then hair. When those were done, she put on her dress and then stood back.

Not half bad, she thought proudly as she stared at herself. Her hair was also formed into a loose bun with small strands dancing delicately about her slender neck. Her face was made up naturally, though with a hint of smoky eyes and thick, dark lashes, while her lips were only light pink in color. And the dress looked beautiful on her, the white with gold sparkles about the neckline and hem. Overall, yes, she didn't look half bad, and she nodded at that achievement.

When she returned to the bedroom, Dara and Soriya did an, "Ooh-la-la," and hooted at her with delight.

Dressed in a beautiful black cocktail dress, Alex chuckled. "The birthday girl will turn heads tonight."

Both Dara and Soriya agreed by nodding furiously.