AINA
"I am Hana, your daughter." My lips softly utter the words, confirming his doubt. Still, his gaze remains sharp, searching for a hint of a lie in my plain eyes.
"You're no longer…" His eyes squint.
"Staying here with Miss. Song and Miss. Rachel, I am cured."
"You look much different from before." He crosses his arms behind his waist.
Heeseok Ryu is a man who doesn't trust anyone easily, not even his family. Sera always used to cry for his father's affection but he never bothered about her.
"It's been years since you last saw me, Father."
He doesn't answer. Instead, he turns around and glances at a guard behind him. Taking the hint, the guard rushes outside and a few seconds later, brings a maid with her.
She is a young girl around my age with short black hair. Her eyes are pure and innocent, but she appears to be a little anxious, clenching the sides of her gray uniform.
"Check the burn mark on her upper back," Heeseok commands her.
"Yes, sir." She bows to him.
"Come with me, Miss." Lifting her head, she looks into my eyes.
My feet quietly follow her to one of the rooms downstairs. Upon stepping inside, she asks me to remove my dress from the top.
I do as she says and gently slide down the top from my shoulders, revealing the mark.
If not for Miss. Rachel, it wouldn't have been possible to copy the mark. After the investigation, we step out of the room and face Heeseok Ryu again.
"She's indeed Hana Ryu." The maid steps forward, mumbling the words.
"So you have really been cured."
"Hana, my daughter." He comes closer.
"I never thought I'd see you in your right mind. You look beautiful."
"Thank you, Father."
"Let's go back home." He smiles tightly.
Miss. Song sighs, resting her palm on her chest, pressing a heavy step back. She takes out her white handkerchief with blue embroidery from the pocket of her nun's dress and wipes off the sweat from her forehead.
Till now, the air was thick with tension. Horror was dancing over our heads.
"You took care of my daughter well. Your orphanage deserves compensation."
"Thank you, sir."
"There's one small problem…" A devilish look shrouds his face.
"You shouldn't have hidden the fact that my daughter was cured. We would have taken her out long ago."
"I apologize, sir."
"You strictly told me to never mention her name again, so I had no choice. Forgive me, please. It was indeed my fault."
"You should pay for your mistake." He glances at the gun on a guard beside him.
Miss. Song kneels on the floor, trembling.
"She helped me a lot, Father."
"Forgive her this once. I am only sane because she looked after me all these years."
If Miss. Song goes down, she will take us along with her. Keeping her safe, for the time being, is my best option.
He turns his head to me, silent and calm.
"You have become generous, Hana."
Heeseok Ryu switches his gaze to the main gates and walks out of the orphanage. The guards quickly follow him behind, the sound of boots beating the silent air.
I glance at Miss. Rachel and she nods her head, smiling softly. Turning to the main gates, my feet take steps ahead along with the young maid, finally stepping out of the prison.
The gray mansion, which I had often seen from afar, now stands majestically before me. Its imposing posture resembles that of a grand royal palace, adorned with the finest stonework and huge glass windows that glint in the sunlight.
The vast garden surrounding the mansion is an oasis of beauty, meticulously landscaped with vibrant flowers and lush greenery that sways gently in the breeze. A serene pond sparkles in the center of the garden, fish playing deeper into the water.
The mansion is reinforced by the presence of numerous guards stationed strategically around the perimeter, their solemn expressions and sturdy postures, distant from emotions.
I step inside, remembering Sera, suppressing the tears in my eyes.
The lavish interior glows around me. The walls and shelves are loaded with antique pieces, even the wooden wall on the clock.
A fancy fireplace in front of the dark posh couch, spreading warmth to the entire room.
"I hope you're not angry with us for sending you to the orphanage." He sighs.
"Of course, not. You did it for my well-being."
His eyes seem pleased with my answer.
"Take Hana to her room upstairs." Heeseok Ryu orders the maid.
Strangely, no one from the family stands to welcome me. They are already ignoring my presence, rebelling.
"I have arranged a party tonight for your welcome. The entire town is coming."
"Don't be late, okay?" He rests his palm on my left shoulder.
"Yes, Father." My lips answer.
"You can meet the entire family at the party."
"This is Nancy, your personal maid." He slides his palm from my shoulder.
"Make sure Hana looks the best tonight."
"Yes, sir."
Leaving our side, he heads to the polished white stairs on the right, probably going to his room. As he disappears from my sight and a strong click sound shakes the silence, Nancy approaches the stairs.
She was waiting for him to leave.
"This way, Miss."
I climb the elegant stairs alongside Nancy, and it feels like a long journey to paradise.
The stairs are gleaming under the soft glow of the lights above. The air is filled with a subtle fragrance, perhaps from the flowers arranged in delicate vases along the landing.
We reach the second floor, and she takes me to a room in the corner of the long hallway. It feels abandoned, lifeless.
The clinking sound of keys rings in my ear as she inserts them into a golden lock. With a sharp creak, the door opens, revealing the interior of the room.
The room is the worst.
No one in the mansion bothered to clean the spider webs hanging on the walls. The bed is more like a grave, filled with dust.
"This is my room?"
Nancy turns to me, anxiously rubbing her fingers, biting her bottom lip.
"What's wrong?"
"The head maid said you wouldn't mind." She mumbles in fear.
"Where is she?" I ask.