Chapter 4
Victor took me to meet his mom.
He gave me a heads-up that his family was pretty well-off, and his mom liked things a certain way.
He told me not to be nervous.
His place wasn't just a home, it was a full-on villa.
A two-story villa with a neat little garden out front.
I stood at the door, my shoes so worn out after three years they looked like they'd seen better days.
The woman who opened the door was dressed in a tight-fitting dress.
Her hair was done up perfectly, not a strand out of place, and she wore a diamond necklace.
This was Victor's mom, Claire Reed.
She froze for a second when she saw me.
Then she quickly plastered on a smile.
"You must be Susan. Come on in," she said.
Her smile was warm, but I could tell it never reached her eyes.
I handed over the stuff I'd brought from back home.
Just a basket of eggs and some fruit.
My mom always said city folks went nuts for this kind of thing.
Claire took them and handed them off to the maid without a second glance.
"Oh, you really didn't have to bring anything," she said.
Her eyes swept over me, like she was sizing me up.
Then she glanced at the corner behind me.
Annie was hiding there, just one eye peeking out.
"Is this Annie?" Claire asked.
I nodded.
"Such a pitiful kid," Claire said as she walked over and crouched down.
She crouched down with such elegance, it was like watching a scene from a painting.
"Annie, don't be scared. I'm Victor's mom, and from now on, you'll have me as your family too," she said.
She gave Annie a gentle smile.
But Annie just pressed herself closer to me, shrinking back even more.
Claire stood up, looking a little helpless.
She turned and went inside, then came back out with a beautifully wrapped box.
"I prepared a gift for your sister," she said.
She opened the box.
Inside was a porcelain doll.
It had pale skin, golden curls, and bright blue glass eyes.
It wore a lacy princess dress, so beautiful. It looked like it cost a fortune.
"Annie, do you like it? It's for you," Claire said.
She held out the doll to Annie.
Annie stared at the doll, and her whole body started shaking.
She gripped my shirt so tightly, her throat letting out a raspy, hoarse sound.
It was as if her throat was blocked, like she couldn't breathe.
This wasn't just fear; she was absolutely terrified.
It was like she'd just seen a ghost.
With a loud smack, the doll hit the floor.
The porcelain face shattered, exposing the empty shell beneath.
A blue glass eye rolled to a stop right at my feet.
The whole room went dead silent.
Victor jumped in, trying to break the tension.
"Mom, I'm sorry. Annie didn't mean to do that," Victor said quickly.
For a moment, Claire's expression soured.
But she quickly forced a smile.
"It's fine, it's just a doll," she said.
She bent down, reaching out to help Annie.
"She's just not used to strangers, and she's never had anything this fancy before," Claire said.
Claire had barely touched Annie's arm when Annie suddenly let out a piercing scream, like she'd been hit by a jolt of electricity.
Annie jerked away, bolted to the farthest corner of the room, curled up clutching her head, and shook uncontrollably.
That was the first time I'd ever heard Annie make such a loud noise.
It was sharp, shrill, and haunting.
My heart twisted with worry.
I rushed over and hugged her tight.
"Annie, don't be scared. I'm right here," I whispered.
Claire stood there, trying to smile, but it looked so fake.
"I was just trying to help, but ended up making things worse," she said.
She turned to me and continued, "Susan, you've really had a hard time taking care of Annie. But from now on, we're family. Let me help you shoulder the responsibility."
Her words seemed so caring.
But as I looked at her, then at Annie trembling in the corner, I felt a strange sense of unease rise up in me for the first time.
That blue glass eye at my feet seemed to be staring at me with a cold, lifeless gaze.