Daisy noticed a mischievous smile playing on the boy's lips. It wasn't just a smile — it held secrets. Daisy quickly pulled herself away from him.
Daisy, are you alright? Ivan said softly. Daisy doesn't answer.
Daisy sat at the dining table, her mind clouded with deep thoughts.
Daisy was thinking about the events of the previous night. kept echoing in her mind, sending a chill down her spine. Everything felt like a dream — the glowing red eyes, the sharp pain in her neck, the strange warmth that followed. But the bite marks were still there... proof that it was no dream.
Did someone really drink my blood?
Daisy suddenly noticed — Ivan was staring at her. It wasn't just a casual glance; it was intense, almost like he could see right through her thoughts. Her heartbeat quickened, and she looked away, pretending not to notice. But she could still feel his gaze —
Vera Sokolova placed a warm meal in front of Daisy. Steam rose gently from the bowl of soup, accompanied by bread and butter. Her voice was filled with motherly affection,
— "Eat, Daisy. You'll feel better if you have something. You've become so weak."
Daisy nodded in thanks, but her mind was elsewhere — the shadow of Ivan lingered in the corner of her eye, and the terrifying memory of last night still haunted her thoughts.
Suddenly, Ivan spoke up, his voice calm yet curious,
— "Mom, who is this girl? What's her story?"
The room grew quiet for a moment. Daisy, who had just lifted her spoon, froze mid-air. Vera Sokolova smiled gently and replied,
— "She's Daisy. Mila Golubev's niece. Mila left her in my care before she left for the North. Daisy is like family now."
"Her engagement was broken, That boy ran away, left her all alone…
Ivan's expression didn't change much, but a flicker of something passed through his blue eyes — maybe sympathy, maybe interest.
Daisy's eyes welled up with tears.
What was the need for Vera Sokolova to say all that in front of her son?
Why did she have to expose her like that — as if the wound in Daisy's heart wasn't deep enough already?Her fingers tightened slightly around the spoon, but she said nothing. Just sat there, trying to swallow the lump rising in her throat.
It's true — there's no one more your own in this world than a mother.
No bond is deeper than blood.
Daisy finally understood that now.
Life, at this age, had taught her a profound lesson — one she wouldn't forget.
Since morning, snow had been falling.
Outside, it was quite cold.
How will Mimiya come in this heavy snowfall?
This time, when she comes, I'll leave with her. I won't stay here anymore.
Ivan looked at her, and Daisy could see it—
In that moment, Daisy realized: this boy wasn't ordinary. Vera Sokolova sat there, believing this boy to be her own son—who could say what truth lay beneath that hope?
Suddenly, Daisy stood up.
"My meal is finished, Miss," Daisy said softly, then turned and walked back to her room.
Ivan, however, hadn't eaten a thing since he arrived. Surprisingly, no one had expected this — ever since Ivan came back to the house, he refused to touch any food.
Vera Sokolova was nearly overwhelmed with joy, almost delirious that her son had finally returned.
Daisy sat quietly in a corner of her room.
Through the window, she could see the heavy snowfall outside, white flakes swirling in the cold air.
Slowly, she walked over and opened the window, letting the crisp, icy breeze rush in and fill the room with the fresh scent of winter.
Miss Sokolova shouldn't have done that—sharing my personal matters with her son like that.
And how can she be sure he's truly her child? She didn't even take a moment to verify.
How am I supposed to stay here, Mimiya? Please come and take me away, Mimiya.
Daisy spent the entire day inside her room, while Miss Sokolova busied herself caring for her son. As night fell, memories of yesterday's events flooded Daisy's mind.
Will that creature come again today to drink her blood?
And so, today too, Daisy felt a sharp pain in her neck.
But she couldn't scream. There was no other choice but to shed tears.
Three days passed like this. One day, standing before the mirror, she stared in shock, as if someone had drained all the blood from her body. Her face had grown pale and lifeless,
her body weakened and fragile, as if every ounce of strength was slowly slipping away.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her once-vibrant skin now seemed dull and fragile—
a silent reflection of the battle raging inside her.
Vera Sokolova entered the room and grew worried seeing Daisy.
"You're getting weaker every day, Daisy," she said gently.
"You don't eat properly. Your body looks so fragile now. I'm going out today—I'll bring you some herbal medicine. Please promise me you'll take it regularly, alright?"
She softly ran her hand over Daisy's head, her eyes filled with motherly concern.