The clarity of the sky reflected over the meadow, while the gentle breeze toyed with the grass, making it sway softly as if whispering secrets to the earth.
It was a beautiful sight—no, more than that. The scene was a miracle of beauty, a painting crafted by nature with touches that only the Creator could master.
I filled my chest with a deep breath and let my steps wander freely over the green carpet, running and twirling like a child discovering the world for the first time.
Until a color shimmered in the distance, pulling my gaze toward it like a hidden call—a color that had always enchanted me with its magic.
I rushed toward it eagerly. How much I loved those red flowers. I sat down and picked one with delight, bringing it close to my nose to steal its intoxicating scent, admiring its seductive form.
And without warning, everything changed.
The atmosphere turned into pitch darkness.
Strange—no, unsettling to the point of terror. I turned around, only to find the sky blackened and the land around me dried up, as if life had suddenly drained away.
But the most disturbing thing was that figure in the distance.
Tall, broad-shouldered, wrapped in a cloak that completely concealed his features—like a faceless shadow.
I lowered my gaze to my hand after feeling a strange cold sting my skin.
It was the flower I had held moments ago.
But it was no longer a flower… it had turned into a liquid dripping in red, like living drops of blood.
Its scent was overpowering, making my body tremble violently, as if cold and dread had merged inside me at once.
I tried to run, to flee from what was coming—he was approaching me.
But suddenly, I felt his hand grab me brutally, yanking my skull backward with savage force, as if my scalp were about to be torn away.
I tried to scream, but my voice betrayed me. A fleeting glance made me shudder even more—his eyes were terrifying, glowing with a piercing yellow, radiating a desire to tear me apart.
Then his hoarse voice pierced my ears.
"Eily."
My breathing tightened as if I were suffocating. I shut my eyes tightly.
The pain slowly faded, and when I opened them again, I was met with darkness pierced by a faint light.
I realized I was clutching my head between my arms. I lifted it and sighed in relief.
It was only a nightmare.
I looked around to find the familiar scene—faces staring at me, smirks of mockery plastered across them. Yes, I had dozed off in the middle of class again. Worse, it was math class.
A sharp clearing of a throat cut through the air. I cleared mine and leaned back, sighing helplessly. It seemed she was the one who had smacked the back of my head—explaining the pain I felt.
She raised her hand, pointing toward the board. My gaze followed, and I understood what she wanted: to solve the equation.
I stood from my seat while everyone stared at me with looks that stirred a deep feeling of disgust inside me. I grabbed the marker and began writing. It took only seconds before I placed it back.
I turned to see faces covered in astonishment, but I didn't care. The only thing occupying my mind was the teacher's face.
It was filled with new wrinkles added to the old ones, until she looked like a ticking time bomb about to explode.
She spoke in a stern voice, heavy with anger.
"Eily Roxy… you escaped again this time."
She had barely finished her sentence—which I paid no attention to—when the bell rang.
I quickly gathered my things and was the first to leave her boring class.
The hallway was long, bathed in the evening light pouring through the school windows, giving it an artistic look, even though the place itself held nothing but trash.
I pulled my earphones from my bag, connected them to my phone, and let the music flow into my ears, hoping it would erase that nightmare still clinging to my mind.
I walked lightly and quickly, just trying to escape this suffocating place and cross the boundaries of the high school. But as I neared the exit, those bullies appeared—the girls who brought nothing but trouble.
I tried to avoid them, to pass in silence while changing the song. I stopped the music without them noticing and refused to turn toward them.
One of them sneered disdainfully.
"Hey, dark girl. I have good news for you."
I paused for a moment, then continued walking at a measured pace. I tried to ignore her as much as I could.
Another burst into mocking laughter before speaking with even greater rudeness.
"You ugly thing… we helped your mother. Thanks to us, she got rid of that boring job."
I stopped immediately.
I clenched my left fist until my veins bulged, a voice inside me repeating over and over: Eily, calm down. Don't cause trouble. They're rich, and they can drown you in debts worse than what we're already living.
I took a sharp breath, trying to swallow the lump of anger choking my throat. I ignored their stares, lifted my head, and hurried toward home—the house close to the school—just to get away before I lost control.
I couldn't believe I had finally arrived. I shoved the door open carelessly and entered, only to find my mother sitting on the floor, clutching a pillow to her chest as she cried bitterly, her tears pouring endlessly.
I rushed toward her in chaos, stumbling over my fear before my steps, until I sat in front of her and spoke in a trembling voice.
"Mom, how did you get fired? What happened?"
The moment I asked, her sobbing intensified, as if the words themselves were another stab.
"I was serving orders, and because of one of the girls, I tripped. The drink spilled on an important customer."
My blood boiled. My head nearly exploded with rage. Those bitches—damn them—they were the reason. Just as I expected.
My mother continued in a broken voice, hugging the pillow tightly as if it were the last thing tethering her to life.
"Eily, your mother has never been able to provide you with what any student needs. But you always worked hard and earned a scholarship to attend this prestigious school. And yet, I'm still drowning in debt."
I hugged her tightly, wrapping my arms around her as if trying to piece her back together. I spoke calmly despite the pain choking my voice.
"Mom, I don't need anything. It's enough for me to see you happy. As for the debts—"
A sudden knock at the door interrupted me.
I froze for a moment, then stood slowly and headed to the door to see who it was.
I opened it carefully to find the mailman standing there, his usual bag slung over his shoulder.
I smiled faintly.
"How are you, uncle?"
His smile widened as he replied.
"Good. And how are you, Eily?"
It wasn't a good day at all, but I simply nodded.
"I'm fine."
He rummaged through his large bag, flipping through letters and envelopes until he pulled out two.
One was white and rectangular; the other was larger and brown.
He handed them to me politely, as always.
I thanked him and watched as he rode off on his bike to deliver the rest of the mail, leaving me standing at the door holding two envelopes. My eyes narrowed as I examined the sender's name.
Roxy.
I hurried inside and asked in confusion,
"Mom, do you have any relatives?"
She shook her head in denial, puzzled, and I asked quietly,
"Then why do both envelopes carry the surname 'Roxy'?"
She looked stunned. I stepped closer as more questions piled up in my mind. I opened the white envelope and pulled out a letter. We read it together in astonishment.
> From Glanis Roxy to my heir,
This letter will most likely reach you after I have passed from this life, and you are the sole heir of this family.
I hope you will take responsibility for my properties.
Go to my servant and private agent, Aiden Wilson. He will take care of you.
I gasped at what I read, rubbing my eyes—especially at the word properties—and continued reading as shock enveloped me.
> I have sent you a sum of money…
I hope it helps you manage your affairs and begin responsibly.
I turned to my mother and saw her looking at me with an encouraging smile, urging me to hurry.
Without hesitation, I opened the brown envelope immediately. Inside was a check with an unimaginable amount for us, along with a small note bearing what seemed to be the address of that agent.
I sighed in relief, while my mother looked happier than she had in a long time.
"I'll finally be free of debt."
But I stopped myself from telling her the bigger detail—the man and the address now in our hands—when she said instead,
"We'll go to him tomorrow, after we get rid of these debts."
She stood up, dancing with joy, clutching the check as if it were a long-awaited lifeline.
I stood watching her, a smile forming on my face without trying to hide it.
"Eily… we're lucky!" she said, her joy filling the room.
What about that smile—if only I could capture it as a keepsake.
But my mother's happiness brought back a memory I wished hadn't returned: the bullies.
A half-smile formed on my lips, bitter and far from joy.
If only I could take revenge on them, even a little. If only I could answer every moment I endured their bullying.
I sighed, waiting for relief.
I excused myself from my mother and went up to my room, searching for a moment of calm to catch my breath.
I closed the door behind me and found myself face to face with the tall mirror occupying the corner of the room.
My reflection greeted me.
My jet-black hair cascading down, my light brown, wheat-colored skin, and my blue eyes shining with rare clarity.
My body trembled; chills ran through me.
I moved quickly, grabbed one of my coats, and threw it over the mirror, blocking its gaze. I hated my appearance—no, I despised it.
I changed my clothes and threw myself onto the bed, exhausted. I tried to sleep, my thoughts drifting toward what awaited me tomorrow.
Eventually, sleep overtook me, and I closed my eyes, surrendering to it.
To be continued…