ack? Did I hear him right? When ha
ay from me and headed toward the house. He took something out of his pants pock
. I truly couldn't guess what was going on in Max's mind.
ves here,"
hen why did you bring me
. If you need anything, just come find me,
I had asked him dozens of questions, and
rs," he s
dded as he open
Was he really giving me this house? But w
ully yours should be re
d this house have belonged to my mother? But she didn't leave any i
e same clothes all day. After that, I'll explain everything," he s
de hesitantly. What was Max planning to do to me? Was he following someone's order
blue-just a slightly lighter shade. The house wasn't overly furnished: a large couch up front, a glass cabinet, a
e room was empty. It smelled fresh-not like an abandoned r
robe, a dressing table, and a mirror. Simple, but still f
d I instantly wanted to lie down and rest. But first,
r besides Max's clothes? Or would
inside, I walked over and opened it. My eyes widened
m." I jumped and turned toward
are these?" I a
urally, everything inside
hy are they
ust be starving," he said and walked away. I stood th
dn't have to go out and see Max again. I randomly picked
I could adjust however I liked. Could I finally breathe a little e
m water and scrubbing with soap. My oily hair now fell smoothly over my shoulders. As I began to feel a bit better, suddenly I rem
dress that felt too nice to wear just to stay indoors. I was about t
ning room now," Max sai
added. I noticed his eyes scan me from head to to
othes, but with Max waiting at the door, I hesitated and
that I could ask anything made me quickly pull out a chair and sit at the dining tab
oo?" I asked, glancing at
hed while eating was uncomfortable, but
of politeness after I finished eating
r helping me escape from Claire's brothel, but let me say it
hes of the late Mr. Davis b
asked, frowning. Max was si
ur full name?" he asked. I grew even more confused. We had been talking
m to already know m
ne?" he asked
is, and my mother only gave me the name Valentine. Is that wrong?
id. My eyes widened, and suddenly my
her was," I answered. How could Mother know who my
ied to protect
erstand," I sa
lings, accusing her of having an affair with a man," Max explained. My mouth fe
e her savior, but it turned out otherwise," he continued. Up to t
urdered by Claire's henchmen because she ref
right now, aren't you?" I asked, full of emotion. His stateme
h about his wife and child shortly before his death and wrote it in a letter. That letter was given to me, and I'm onl
ed out of the Davis family home. At that time, the late Mr. Davis was f
and when my father died, I replaced him until
. Slowly, tears I couldn't hold back anymore fell, imagining the faces of m
iving in a cramped apartment and a very hard life, I rarely cried, but thi
is in your wardrobe. You can look at them
because of my father's request?" I asked, my
y overhearing a conversation from his step-siblings. At that time, Mr
et away from the city's hustle and bustle," he added, making me look around every corn
had to tell you so you'd know what rea
now," I requested with a
ed my help, you can call me at the back hou
much I wanted to say all this was a lie, that Max wa
er inside the closet. In the very bottom drawer, there were several stacks of old photographs. With trem
and their baby were smiling happily. No wonder Claire said I looked like my mother; it
ausing Mother to be expelled and brutally killed by Claire. Is that real
stopping. There was a deep anger and sadness I felt now.
*
austion after crying. The proof was the old photos of Father and Mot
ing the scattered photos and put t
g flashing, that I held my breath. Moments later,
ow where the other sources of light were. Especially now, my surroundings were pitch dark, nothing visible even w
r claps echoed back and forth. It was so ter
he might not hear me. The rain was so
ason, I had always been afraid of rain, thunder, and darkness since childhood. The three combined were the scariest things for me. When I live
ith the sound of rain. I sharpened my h
ou?" his voi
for Max to appear before me. A beam of light flashed and beg
I immediately jumped toward Max
," I said while hugg