Even though I was 100% sure that Alex wouldn''t do anything drastic, I couldn''t help but wonder-what exactly was he up to?
By evening, Mom finally arrived. Seeing the freshly cleaned house, she smiled. "Serena, you really tidied up the ce well."
"It was L who helped me," I said, pointing at her. "She did a lot for me today."
"Thank you, L," Mom said gratefully. "You''re such a good girl."
L smiled shyly. "Madam Burke, you''re too polite. Serena is my best friend-of course, I should help her."
That night, we had a simple dinner together, and then L took her leave.
Mom sat on the couch, rubbing her hands uneasily.
I poured her a cup of water. She took it but only held it in her hands, not drinking
it.
"Mom, what''s wrong?" I couldn''t help but ask. Her unusual behavior made me uneasy.
She smiled faintly. "We moved so suddenly... I''m still getting used to it."
I urged her to take a sip of the warm water. "Mom, have some. It''ll warm you up. Just take it easy and sleep on it. Everything will feel better tomorrow. It''s just the two of us now. No Robert, no Alex. From now on, things will only get better."
She took a small sip, her gaze drifting. "Serena, do you still remember your childhood?"
I sat down beside her, holding her hand. "Of course, I remember everything! Mom, what do you want to know?"
She smiled, nostalgia in her eyes. "Do you remember what you loved to y the most?"
"I loved ying house," I said with a chuckle. "And collecting all kinds of leaves and small rocks."
As I reminisced about my childhood, an unconscious smile crept onto my lips. "Back then, I always pestered you to make me different toys. Do you remember?"
She nodded. "I do. You loved the rag doll I made for you. You had to hug it every night to sleep."
"Yeah... I always called it my darling." As I spoke softly, it felt like I had returned to my carefree childhood.
"You were such a mischievous child," Mom said with augh. "Once, you climbed a tree to steal a bird''s nest, fell down, and scraped your leg badly."
I gently patted her hand. "Mom, I was so reckless back then. I must''ve worried you a lot."
"Silly child, what are you saying?" She caressed my hair lovingly. "You''re my daughter. It''s only natural for me to worry about you."
She smiled. "But now, you''ve grown up and are sensible. I can finally be at ease." As we talked, I noticed her eyelids growing heavier, her breathing evening out.
"Mom, you''re sleepy, aren''t you? Let''s go to bed."
She nodded, and I helped her up, guiding her to the bedroom. After settling her in,
I quietly closed her door and returned to my own room.
But no matter how much I tossed and turned, I just couldn''t fall asleep.
Frustrated grabbed my phone, wanting to call L. But I was afraid of disturbing her sleep. In the end, I gave up on the idea, shut my eyes, and forced myself to sleep.
Maybe I was just too exhausted from the day because I drifted off quickly.
In my dream, I was back in my
childhood, living with Mom in our et
tiny but cozy home. We cooked together, watched TV together, and shared the little moments of life.
Then, suddenly, the scene shifted. I found myself trapped in a dark room with no way out.
I woke up with a scream.
The sky outside was already light, and I was drenched in cold sweat.