Chapter 2

After all the hassle I went through, I finally managed to get back home.

The first thing I saw was a storage room that looked like it had never been cleaned up.

Mom and Dad both wore embarrassed expressions.

Maybe, subconsciously, they didn't think I'd ever return to live here. There wasn't even a single blanket in the storage room.

Dad cleared his throat and hurried to smooth things over. "Aurora, Stella turned your old room into a place for her pet. Her puppy's living there now, and it's not easy to move it. So you'll have to stay here for the time being.

"I'll have someone fix it up for you when I get a chance."

I looked around the storage room, which felt totally out of place in this fancy villa, and, strangely enough, I actually felt a bit delighted. "No worries, I'm good with staying here.

"Even Harry Potter had to live under the stairs. At least I've got a bed and my own room. Honestly, I'm pretty satisfied that I'm not stuck in a doghouse or a pigsty."

Even after I said all that, Mom immediately frowned. "Aurora, can you stop comparing yourself to Stella all the time? We're trying to treat you both fairly.

"It's not like we're never going to give you a proper room. Make do for a few days, okay? Is it really necessary to talk to us like this?"

I blinked in confusion. "No, seriously, I really am happy. Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom. Having a room that's actually mine makes me really happy."

Honestly, knowing how Mom and Dad were, I wouldn't put it past them to make me sleep on the floor, in the basement, or even in a doghouse, and not even bother giving me a blanket.

So, having a bed to crash on in this den of traffickers was honestly more than I could ask for. I was pretty satisfied.

Mom looked a bit lost, like she couldn't buy what I was saying.

Afraid she'd start getting suspicious, I quickly added, sounding earnest. "Seriously, the woman in the next bed at the hospital snored like a chainsaw and cursed nonstop every night. I could barely get any sleep."

When I finished speaking, Mom saw the honest look on my face, and her heart skipped a beat.

For a split second, she suddenly remembered what I looked like when I was little.

I used to be so pampered, and I had a serious obsession with keeping things clean.

If even a speck of dust landed on my clothes, I'd cry and insist on changing right away.

Back then, Mom, Dad, and Marcus all doted on me.

They knew about my cleanliness obsession, so the house was always spotless.

They knew I was delicate, so they never let me do any chores or hard work.

If I cried out, they'd be so worried that they'd rush to comfort me in their arms.

Now, seeing me so delighted by a messy storage room, Mom suddenly felt lost inside. She was wondering when I had changed.

Mom glanced at me again, a trace of guilt flickering in her eyes, her voice gentler than before. "Let's eat first. You must be starving after being stuck on the bus all morning."

I nodded.

On the outside, I looked all sweet and content, but inside, I was silently grumbling.

She didn't even ask why I had to be stuck on the bus all morning.

It was not like I had a choice. I only had 3 bucks on me, not even enough for a cab.

So I had to keep switching buses, bouncing around for half the day.

She was the buyer, not my real mom. Of course, she didn't care about me at all.

*****

I followed them to the dining room door and immediately spotted the feast laid out on the table.

I stopped dead in my tracks, suddenly unsure what I was supposed to do.

Someone like me probably shouldn't be sitting at the table with them.

Usually, I'd take a plate and eat whatever leftovers I could find in the kitchen.

Hesitating, I stood there, unsure what to do next.

Marcus was clearly annoyed by how timid I looked. He frowned and snapped at me. "Why are you acting all pitiful? Are you waiting for us to invite you to eat?"

"Can I really sit here?" I asked. "Is this for real? I actually get to eat here? You're not going to hit me just because I eat some meat, right?"

Marcus was left speechless, staring at me in shock. "Are you out of your mind?"

When she saw how cautious I was, Mom's guilt deepened, and she quickly waved me over. "Come on, Aurora, sit down. We're family."

Once I sat down, she turned to me, her voice carrying a hint of wanting to make things right. "Aurora, your dad and I messed up today. I shouldn't have hit you.

"If there's anything you want, feel free to say it. If we can do it, we'll make it happen."

My eyes lit up, and I blurted out, "I want a phone."

As soon as I said it, Marcus immediately frowned and shot back. "No way, Aurora. You really know how to milk it, huh? We made you sleep in the storage room for a few days, and now you're asking for compensation from Mom and Dad?

"You just got back, and you're already making outrageous demands. What do you even need a phone for at your age?"

Then Marcus turned to Mom. "Mom, you really shouldn't get her a phone. With the way she acts, what if she starts picking up bad habits online?"

Mom nodded, agreeing with Marcus. "Aurora, Marcus has a point. You're still too young. How about I buy you a new outfit instead?"