Derlyn rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the morning haze. That's when she noticed the child—a small figure with an angelic face—sitting silently on her bed, staring at her.
Before she could speak, the child suddenly leapt into her lap and hugged her tightly.
"Mommy… I missed you," the child whispered.
She froze, heart racing. Mommy… Mommy… echoed in her mind. When did I even give birth?
Finally gathering her senses, she looked down at the child with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"Wait… Mommy? But I'm only 18, and I've never had a boyfriend since birth!"
The child smiled, tilting their head. "Mommy… I'm your child… from the future."
Derlyn's jaw dropped. "From the… future? That's impossible!"
The child's eyes glimmered with something she couldn't quite read. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I came back to see you."
Derlyn's mind whirled. I'm only 18… how could this even happen? What warning? She gripped the edge of the bed, trying to steady herself, while the child's small hands rested gently on her lap, silently waiting for her to believe.
She took a shaky breath, staring at the child. There was something in those eyes—something impossible yet undeniably real.
"Okay… let's say I believe you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What's your name?"
The child's face lit up with a small smile.
"I'm Tori, Mommy," the child said softly. "I came from the future… to see you… and to make sure you're safe."
Derlyn's heart ached with confusion and a strange, inexplicable warmth. Tori… my child… from the future… It sounded insane, yet the certainty in Tori's voice left her with no choice but to believe.
"Safe? What… what do you mean, Tori?" she asked, her hands nervously clutching her lap.
Tori's tiny fingers reached out to touch her cheek. "There are things coming, Mommy… things you need to know… things only I can warn you about. But first… you have to trust me."
She swallowed hard, a mix of fear and awe flooding through her. Somehow… she did trust Tori. Somehow… she knew that this child really was her child, sent from a future she couldn't yet understand.
Derlyn's eyes searched Tori's face, desperate for answers. "Tori… please, tell me! What's going to happen?"
Tori shook their head gently, a solemn expression crossing their angelic features.
"I… I'm not allowed to tell you everything, Mommy," Tori said softly. "There are things you'll have to learn on your own… but I can guide you, just a little at a time."
Derlyn's heart clenched, but the sincerity in Tori's voice made her pause. This child… this tiny, impossibly young child… is speaking the truth.
She took a deep breath and reached out to hold Tori's hand. "Okay… I'll trust you," She whispered. "I don't understand it all yet… but I believe you, Tori."
Tori's small face brightened, a relieved smile spreading across their features. "Thank you, Mommy. That's all I need for now. One step at a time, I promise."
For the first time, Derlyn felt a strange mix of awe and hope. Somehow… she knew that this mysterious child, this impossible visitor from the future, really was her child—and that together, they could face whatever was coming.
"Alright, Tori," she said gently, smiling for the first time since waking. "How about we go downstairs and have some breakfast? You must be hungry after… everything."
Tori's eyes sparkled. "Yes, Mommy! I'm hungry!"
Derlyn carefully lifted Tori into her arms, feeling a strange but comforting warmth. As they walked toward the stairs, she glanced down at the child, still processing the impossible truth. Somehow… she felt lighter. She had Tori here with her, and for now, that was enough.
Step by step, they moved down the staircase, the morning sunlight spilling into the house, bringing a small sense of normalcy amid the impossible situation that had turned her world upside down.
As Derlyn and Tori reached the bottom of the stairs, the butler appeared in the hallway, carrying a tray.
"Good morning, Miss Derlyn," he greeted, but his voice caught in surprise when his eyes fell on Tori. His jaw tightened, and he blinked rapidly, clearly shocked.
"Miss… who is this child with you?" he finally asked, trying to compose himself.
She smiled gently, holding Tori a little closer. "This is Tori, my child."
The butler froze, struggling to process what he was seeing. "Your… child?" he repeated, disbelief written all over his face.
Tori, sensing the tension, gave a small, innocent wave. "Good morning, sir," they said cheerfully.
The butler's shock lingered for a moment, but Derlyn quickly placed a gentle hand on Tori's shoulder.
"Don't worry about it for now," she said softly, giving the child a reassuring smile. "We're just going to have breakfast first."
Tori nodded excitedly, letting go of any tension.
"Very well, Miss Derlyn," the butler said, still trying to hide his surprise, and stepped aside. "Breakfast will be ready shortly."
Derlyn led Tori to the dining room, her mind still spinning, but for the moment, she focused on something simple and grounding: the morning meal. They sat together at the table, the sunlight streaming through the windows, and for the first time that morning, the impossible felt a little more manageable.
The butler approached, carrying a tray of freshly prepared food.
"Miss Derlyn," he said carefully, trying to sound composed, "I should let you know… your parents won't be home for a while. They left early this morning on a business trip."
Derlyn nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright… thank you for letting me know," she replied, her eyes flicking to Tori.
Tori leaned forward eagerly. "Does that mean it's just us for now, Mommy?"
Derlyn smiled softly, ruffling Tori's hair. "Yes, Tori. Just us for now. Let's eat first—we'll figure everything else out later."
The butler nodded silently and quietly left them to their breakfast, giving Derlyn a subtle glance that showed both concern and trust.
After a few bites of breakfast, Derlyn leaned back in her chair, glancing around the spacious dining room. Even at eighteen, she was well known in the city—not just for her family's wealth, but for her own reputation. She was considered the youngest heiress to manage part of her family's business empire, and people often whispered about the glamorous parties and charity events her parents hosted.
"Mommy, why is everything so big? And why are there so many things?" Tori asked, pointing at the towering bookshelves, the golden fixtures, and the sparkling crystal chandeliers.
She chuckled softly. "This is just what comes with being from a very rich family, Tori. My parents… they work a lot. My father manages several businesses across the country, and my mother runs multiple charities and events. They're never home at the same time. That's why sometimes it can feel… very quiet here."
Tori tilted their head, eyes wide. "So, it's just you now?"
She nodded, her expression softening. "Yes. For now, it's just us. And honestly… having you here makes it feel less empty. Even though everything around me is fancy, nothing feels as important as having someone to care about."
Tori's small hand reached across the table, resting on hers. "I'll be with you, Mommy. Always."
Derlyn's heart swelled. Suddenly, the grandeur of the house—the city, the wealth, the fame—all of it seemed distant and unimportant. Right now, nothing mattered more than Tori, her mysterious child from the future, sitting right across from her.
Tori squeezed Derlyn's hand, her small eyes filled with determination.
"Don't worry, Mommy," Tori said softly. "We won't be alone. We'll find Daddy together."
Derlyn blinked, a mixture of surprise and confusion crossing her face. Daddy… who is your Daddy? she thought, her mind spinning. She had never had a boyfriend, never imagined having a child, and now this mysterious little being was talking about a father she didn't even know.
"Find… Daddy?" she asked slowly, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Tori… who… who is your Daddy?"
Tori gave a small, mysterious smile. "I can't tell you everything yet, Mommy. But when the time is right, you'll know. For now, we just need to stick together."
Derlyn's gaze softened as she held Tori's hand. Even though nothing about this morning made sense, she felt a quiet certainty. This child from the future was real, and together they would uncover the answers. How? She didn't know yet—but she couldn't wait to find out.