Chapter 3

Sunlight filtered in through the sheer curtains, filling my small room.

I opened my eyes and glanced at the alarm clock on my nightstand. It was 6:30.

When I was living with the Carters, I had to get up at 5 AM every day for grueling training. Now, I got to sleep in for another hour and a half.

Faint sounds came from the kitchen. I knew Mary was already up, making breakfast.

I quickly got dressed and tiptoed to the kitchen door.

"Mom, let me help you," I said.

Mary was startled and almost dropped the spatula.

"Stella, why are you up so early? Little kids should get more sleep," she said.

I took the spatula from her and flipped the eggs like I'd done it a hundred times before.

"Just got used to helping out early at the orphanage," I said.

It was a little white lie, but seeing Mary's relieved smile made it worth it.

After breakfast, David was getting ready to head to work.

He was just an ordinary factory worker, not making much, but it was enough to get by.

"Dad, be careful on your way," I said, handing him his lunchbox.

David froze for a second, his rough hands trembling a little as he took the lunchbox.

"Oh, okay..." he said.

He wasn't much of a talker, but I knew he was moved when I caught him secretly wiping at his eyes as he turned away.

Mary grabbed her things and headed out to work at the textile factory.

"Stella, there's food in the fridge. Just warm it up when you get hungry at noon, okay? I'll be back before six," she reminded me.

I nodded and walked her to the door, watching her leave for work.

After closing the door, I looked around our simple but cozy little home, feeling a sense of responsibility wash over me.

All those "skills" I picked up living with the Carters were finally going to come in handy.

First, I gave the whole place a thorough cleaning.

I rearranged the couch to make the living room look bigger.

I sorted out all the dishes and utensils in the kitchen so they'd be easier to use.

I even angled the flower pots on the balcony so the plants could catch more sunlight.

At noon, I grabbed a quick bite and then set up Mary's sewing machine.

Back when I was living with the Carter family, I got drilled in sewing skills so I could pass for a "proper lady."

I pulled out some of Mary's old clothes and started revamping them.

When Mary came home that evening, she was stunned. "What... what is all this?"

I showed her my work, a little nervous. "I turned your old dress into something new, and I made two shopping bags. These eco-friendly bags are really popular now. We could even sell them."

Mary ran her trembling fingers over the delicate stitches, and then suddenly pulled me into a tight hug. "Stella, you're amazing."

Her hug was warm and strong, reminding me of the kind of motherly love I never got in my previous life.

At dinner, I brought up an idea. "Mom, I picked up some sewing skills at the orphanage. Maybe we could take on some clothing alteration jobs to earn a bit of extra cash."

David put down his fork and asked seriously, "Won't that get in the way of your studies?"

"No, it's just a hobby after school," I replied.

Mary thought for a moment before replying, "A lot of my coworkers at the factory are always complaining they can't find anyone decent to alter or fix up their clothes..."

*****

And just like that, our little side hustle got started.

A month later, I was sorting through the day's orders when the doorbell rang.

It was the mailman, handing me a fancy gold-edged envelope.

My name was scrawled across it in Lily's big, swooping letters.

I opened the envelope and found a photo and a letter inside.

In the photo, Lily was posing beside a grand piano, dressed in a stunning gown and flashing a flawless smile.

But I couldn't help but notice her hand resting on the keys. Her fingertips were covered with Band-Aids.

The letter read: [Dear Stella, my family hosted a piano recital for me, and all the big shots came. My dad said I've got talent, but I need to work harder. But that's okay. I'll be the best. Just watch me.

[By the way, my dress was tailor-made. It cost 15 thousand bucks.]

I sighed and put the letter and photo away in my drawer.

That night, Mary came home looking kind of pale.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked, hurrying over to help her sit down.

She forced a smile. "It's nothing. I'm probably just tired."

I checked her forehead and felt no fever, though her wrist appeared slightly swollen.

"Mom, you should really take a break. Starting tomorrow, I'll handle all the sewing jobs," I said.

Mary looked like she wanted to argue, but I stood my ground.

"That's final. I'm young, and I can get it done quicker," I insisted.

Late that night, I lay in bed, my mind racing.

Back in my previous life, around this time, I was already being put through the Carters' so-called "posture training."

Every day, I had to stand against the wall for three hours. If I so much as relaxed, I'd get punished.

To keep my "elegant neckline," I wasn't allowed to use a pillow when I slept.

Lily was probably going through all that now, too.