Chapter 3

"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."

Of course, I refused my mother's invitation to leave this place. This mansion and everything inside it are just as I've always dreamed. It's a miracle for me, and I can't just leave it because my mother is paranoid.

"Mom is too paranoid."

My mother was shocked by my harsh words, as I had never spoken rudely before. This was the first time I had been so harsh with her, but I didn't want to let go of my dream mansion.

"Elise, let's eat," my father invited.

"Let's go!"

I saw all my favorite foods already on the dining table, everything I desired. I eagerly devoured my favorite dishes.

"Thank you, Dad."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it." I smiled happily and continued to eat with enthusiasm.

I noticed that my mother didn't join us for dinner.

"Dad, where did you get all this delicious food?"

"Everything is available in this mansion, dear. Whatever you want is already here in this mansion."

"Really?! Can I ask for a room with soft feathers and twinkling lights?"

My father gently stroked my hair, smiling happily. "Of course, dear."

My mother held my hand tightly, looking at me with anxious and haunting eyes.