Chapter 2

"Are they keeping something from me?" I could only wonder silently because I was too afraid they would hear me and blame me.

"What's wrong, Elise?"

I just smiled and shook my head when my father asked me. He seemed to be more aware of my strangeness, looking at both of my parents.

"Is there something that confuses you, Elise?"

I just smiled and nodded, even though it was quite clear I felt something odd about my parents.

"Okay, if you don't want to say, Elise."

"I have to continue my work in my room, thank you for dinner."

I didn't understand. Since my mother started working, she seemed more distant to me and my father, not like the mother she used to be.

"Elise, you have to finish your dinner." I smiled and nodded, then finished my dinner.

"Does Mom actually not like us moving from this house?"

I walked to my mother's room, and I could hear the voices of what sounded like an adult man talking. They sounded like they were having a conversation.

"Does she have to work in her room? Why not in the living room, where it's more comfortable?"

I went into my room and lay down, closing my eyes.

Last night, I had a very restful sleep, which left me feeling refreshed in the morning. It was the most enjoyable sleep because I had a beautiful dream. I lived in the luxurious mansion that could grant all my wishes, and anything I desired was easily obtained because of the mansion.

"Elise, let's go."

I saw my mother already in the car, from her expression, it was clear she didn't want to leave our house.

"Mom, are you tired from working overnight?"

"No."

My mother answered my question briefly, making me sit silently in my father's old car, staring out at the beautiful mountain view. Our old house was far from the city center, but the mansion we were moving to now was in the heart of the city.

"We've arrived, Elise. Let's go."

Dad carried all our belongings from the car. I looked at my mother, who was still sitting in the car, staring straight ahead as if she didn't want to leave the vehicle.

"Mom?"

Mom turned to look at me with a confused and sad expression.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She just shook her head and held my hand tightly. We both walked through the mansion's gate, and I saw four guards who had been standing in front of the gate since earlier, standing tall with broad smiles on their faces. It felt very strange.

"Why does it look so strange like this?" I asked.

I looked at my mother, who was gazing at the luxurious mansion with an anxious and fearful look. Shouldn't a wife be happy when given such a luxurious mansion as a gift?

"Mom, let's go inside."

Mom remained silent, and we entered the mansion. Seeing how vast it was and how it would be ours from today, a three-story mansion, a luxurious dining room, a spacious fish pond, a large swimming pool with crystal-clear water, and a huge garden with a play area, made me feel very happy.

"Welcome, Elise!" Dad smiled, carrying me and taking me on a tour of the mansion.

"Are you happy?" I smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

"Very happy. Thank you, Dad."

Seeing my father so cheerful and the happy smiles filling the spacious mansion, the strange feeling that had been inside the mansion disappeared.

"Tonight, would you like to eat something?"

I nodded eagerly and listed the foods I wanted.

"Okay, Dad will make it for you. We should celebrate our move to this mansion."

I looked at my father, who went enthusiastically to the kitchen wearing an apron to cook. Then my gaze shifted back to my mother, who sat quietly, gazing at the entire mansion from her seat.

"Mom, why are you just sitting there?" "We should leave from here before the sun sets. Come on, dear. Come with me."

"Mom, what's wrong with you? Why do you look like you don't like it? Dad bought this for you, why don't you feel any happiness?"

"He's not your father, dear."

I burst into laughter upon hearing my mother's serious tone and her pale, fearful face.

"Come on, we need to leave this place, dear."