ack? Did I hear him right? When ha

ay from me and headed toward the house. He took something out of his pants pock

. I truly couldn't guess what was going on in Max's mind.

ves here,"

hen why did you bring me

. If you need anything, just come find me,

I had asked him dozens of questions, and

rs," he s

dded as he open

Was he really giving me this house? But w

ully yours should be re

d this house have belonged to my mother? But she didn't leave any i

e same clothes all day. After that, I'll explain everything," he s

de hesitantly. What was Max planning to do to me? Was he following someone's order

blue-just a slightly lighter shade. The house wasn't overly furnished: a large couch up front, a glass cabinet, a

e room was empty. It smelled fresh-not like an abandoned r

robe, a dressing table, and a mirror. Simple, but still f

d I instantly wanted to lie down and rest. But first,

r besides Max's clothes? Or would

inside, I walked over and opened it. My eyes widened

m." I jumped and turned toward

are these?" I a

urally, everything inside

hy are they

ust be starving," he said and walked away. I stood th

dn't have to go out and see Max again. I randomly picked

I could adjust however I liked. Could I finally breathe a little e

m water and scrubbing with soap. My oily hair now fell smoothly over my shoulders. As I began to feel a bit better, suddenly I rem

dress that felt too nice to wear just to stay indoors. I was about t

ning room now," Max sai

added. I noticed his eyes scan me from head to to

othes, but with Max waiting at the door, I hesitated and

that I could ask anything made me quickly pull out a chair and sit at the dining tab

oo?" I asked, glancing at

hed while eating was uncomfortable, but

of politeness after I finished eating

r helping me escape from Claire's brothel, but let me say it

hes of the late Mr. Davis b

asked, frowning. Max was si

ur full name?" he asked. I grew even more confused. We had been talking

m to already know m

ne?" he asked

is, and my mother only gave me the name Valentine. Is that wrong?

id. My eyes widened, and suddenly my

her was," I answered. How could Mother know who my

ied to protect

erstand," I sa

lings, accusing her of having an affair with a man," Max explained. My mouth fe

e her savior, but it turned out otherwise," he continued. Up to t

urdered by Claire's henchmen because she ref

right now, aren't you?" I asked, full of emotion. His stateme

h about his wife and child shortly before his death and wrote it in a letter. That letter was given to me, and I'm onl

ed out of the Davis family home. At that time, the late Mr. Davis was f

and when my father died, I replaced him until

. Slowly, tears I couldn't hold back anymore fell, imagining the faces of m

iving in a cramped apartment and a very hard life, I rarely cried, but thi

is in your wardrobe. You can look at them

because of my father's request?" I asked, my

y overhearing a conversation from his step-siblings. At that time, Mr

et away from the city's hustle and bustle," he added, making me look around every corn

had to tell you so you'd know what rea

now," I requested with a

ed my help, you can call me at the back hou

much I wanted to say all this was a lie, that Max wa

er inside the closet. In the very bottom drawer, there were several stacks of old photographs. With trem

and their baby were smiling happily. No wonder Claire said I looked like my mother; it

ausing Mother to be expelled and brutally killed by Claire. Is that real

stopping. There was a deep anger and sadness I felt now.

*

austion after crying. The proof was the old photos of Father and Mot

ing the scattered photos and put t

g flashing, that I held my breath. Moments later,

ow where the other sources of light were. Especially now, my surroundings were pitch dark, nothing visible even w

r claps echoed back and forth. It was so ter

he might not hear me. The rain was so

ason, I had always been afraid of rain, thunder, and darkness since childhood. The three combined were the scariest things for me. When I live

ith the sound of rain. I sharpened my h

ou?" his voi

for Max to appear before me. A beam of light flashed and beg

I immediately jumped toward Max

," I said while hugg