As the days went by, I found myself growing more and more comfortable in my new surroundings. Amilia's kindness and genuine concern for my well-being put me at ease, and I began to open up to her in ways I never thought possible. We would spend hours talking and laughing together, and I started to feel a sense of belonging I hadn't experienced since the days at the orphanage.
Amilia would often check in on me, bringing me small gifts or treats that she thought I'd enjoy. She'd sit with me for hours, talking to me, sharing stories about her child. I found myself looking forward to her visits, and I started to feel a sense of gratitude towards her. As I became more confident, Amilia started taking me on tours of the house. She showed me the library, the garden, and even the kitchen, where she'd teach me how to bake and cook. I was fascinated by the way she moved with such ease and precision, her hands moving deftly as she chopped and stirred. At night, Jessica would keep me company, reading me novels and stroking my hair. She was a different person from the one I'd initially met, and I found myself growing fond of her. She wasn't like Jessy, who always grinned and glared angrily at me . This Jessica was kinder, more gentle, and she seemed to genuinely care about my well-being. As the days turned into weeks, I started to feel like I was part of a family. Amilia and Jessica became like surrogate mothers to me, each effort they took to put a smile on my face made me remember mom and miss Cathy.. and I found myself feeling more and more at home. But despite the comfort and security I felt, there were still parts of myself that I kept hidden. I didn't talk about my childhood or the orphanage, and I kept my past locked away, I couldn't tell her...what if she gets frightened and kicks me away...then I will never get to see miss Cathy again.
I sat up in bed, eagerly awaiting Jessica's entry.., she promised she'd read me and enticing tale tonight. I sat patiently.., waiting for her to enter the room. Then the door knob turned and Amilia entered the room, she had a glass of milk in her hands, " Hey Mia.." she said, walking up to my bed.
" Hey ma'am, where's Jessica...." I asked with curiosity, " Well she's a bit busy so I will be the one reading you a story tonight..." she said, sitting beside me and placing the glass of milk on the table beside my bed.
I stared at her, maybe it was time to tell her where I came from.., then I am sure she'll take me back to the orphanage." Ma'am..." I said, " hmmm.." she replied, staring back at me. " I.....", before I could say another word, Jessica entered, panting heavily, " Ma'am sir is back..." she said, Amilia stood up immediately, I could tell she was frightened and really worried. " What do we do.." Jessica asked, " Erm...Jessy... don't worry I will handle things..." Amilia said, she turned to me and said, " Mia..please go to sleep I will read you a bedtime story tomorrow..." , with that, she and Jessy left the room, shutting the door firmly behind them.
Who's this sir ?, and why are Amilia and Jessica so scared of him.., I thought.., I laid down and covered myself with the blanket. Maybe he's Amilia's dad… but if he is, why is she so afraid? Does he beat her, just like Dad did to Mom?*
The questions swirled through my mind like a storm. My eyelids began to close again, heavy with exhaustion—but suddenly, a deep voice echoed from downstairs:
"I'm finally home."
I jolted upright.
"Dad… had that same voice…" I muttered.
A chill ran down my spine. My feet trembled, and for a moment, I had the urge to go downstairs, to see who it really was—but something held me back. Instead, I forced myself to lie down and shut my eyes.
The room was too quiet—unnaturally so. I lay there, drifting between shallow dreams and troubled thoughts.
Then—moans.
Faint at first. Muffled. Uncertain.
I froze, eyes still closed.
Could that be… Amilia?*
I tried to ignore it. It's probably the wind,* I told myself. Or maybe a creaky pipe. But the sounds grew louder… more strained… tinged with something I couldn't quite place—pain or pleasure?
Now fully awake, my heart pounded in my chest. Is it the voice again? Is it trying to lure me?
I shook my head, trembling, struggling to catch my breath. The sounds only intensified.
No… it's not the voice. It's real. It's Amilia.
I swung my legs off the bed and stood slowly. The house was silent—except for those moans echoing faintly through the hallway. The floor creaked under my steps. The air felt heavy. Dense. Wrong.
The noises led me to the end of the corridor—Amilia's room.
I stopped.
The door was closed, but the sounds were louder now—clear, unfiltered, unmistakable.I reached for the doorknob, my hand trembling. Slowly, carefully… I turned it.
The door creaked open and what I saw… shocked me.