In the dimly lit chambers of their once-grand mansion, Charles confronted Beatrice, their marriage strained by secrets and suspicion. He could no longer ignore the wedge that had been driven between them, and it was time to lay everything bare.
"Beatrice," he began, his voice heavy with sorrow, "I have been truthful with you from the very beginning. I told you about Alice's supernatural identity before our marriage, and I shared everything about my past, including the reasons for her seclusion. You knew everything about me and Alice before you decided to marry me."
Beatrice, however, was unyielding, her emotions guarded as she questioned Charles about Alice's bloodline and her late mother, Daisy. The tension in the room was palpable as she probed for answers.
But Charles, despite the strain in their marriage, remained steadfast in his devotion to Alice. "Daisy was loyal beyond measure," he replied, his voice unwavering. "Her love for me was incomparable. But there was a promise I made to her—a promise to protect and care for our daughter, Alice. You must understand, Beatrice, that Alice possesses powers beyond our comprehension. It was for her safety that we kept her identity hidden from the world."
As Charles's words hung in the air, Beatrice's heart softened. She realized the depth of his commitment to Alice and the importance of the promise he had made to Daisy. Her suspicions began to wane as she saw the pain, she had caused her husband and stepdaughter. She reached out to touch Charles's hand, seeking forgiveness and understanding.
"Charles," she whispered, "I... I didn't know. I didn't understand the depth of your love for Alice and the promise you made to Daisy. Forgive me for doubting you and for causing this rift in our family."
Charles's heart softened as he took her hand, his love for Beatrice was still present beneath the scars of their recent trials. "We have all made mistakes," he said, "but perhaps it is not too late to heal our family and live together happily”.
Unbeknownst to Charles, Beatrice had indeed softened her stance, but not in the way he might have hoped. She saw this as an opportunity to lower his guard, to gain sympathy so that she could unravel the secrets Daisy had hidden about Alice. In her heart, Beatrice harbored a different agenda, one that aimed to uncover the truth and potentially remove Alice from their lives as soon as possible.
As Beatrice continued her relentless quest to uncover the truth about Alice's origin and her supernatural heritage, she played a strategic game of patience. She knew that in order to achieve her goals, she needed Charles firmly on her side. To that end, she took a step back, allowing Charles to believe that their marriage was on the path to reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Emily, the new stepdaughter, had begun her education. She was eager to embrace her new life and quickly formed bonds with other children of similar status. However, Alice remained isolated, unable to attend school due to her unique identity. Mary, her devoted maid who had been assigned to care for her, served as her only companion.
Mary was more than just a servant; she was a guardian of sorts, tasked with keeping Alice emotionally stable. If Alice's powers were to awaken in a fit of loneliness or distress, the consequences for the entire family could be dire. So, Alice found solace in the pages of books, escaping into worlds far beyond the confines of her room.
One fateful day, Emily, now turning seven, announced her desire to celebrate her birthday with her newfound family and friends. The mansion buzzed with excitement as preparations for the party got underway. Decorations adorned the halls, and laughter filled the air, all while Alice remained confined to her room, her keen senses allowing her to hear every joyful note of the celebration.
As the day wore on and the festivities reached their peak, Alice sat in solitude, longing for the companionship she had been denied. It was then that Emily, adorned in her finest party attire, entered Alice's room with a piece of cake in hand. She wore a smug expression that sent a shiver down Alice's spine.
"Happy birthday, Emily," Alice greeted her with a warm smile, reaching out to accept the cake.
But Emily's smirk widened as she deliberately dropped the cake onto the floor to show her superiority. It splattered in a mess of frosting and crumbs, staining the carpet beneath them. Alice's eyes widened in shock, her heart sinking as she stared at the ruined cake.
"This," Emily declared, "is the difference between you and me, Alice. I can do anything I want, but you... you cannot."
Tears welled up in Alice's eyes, her voice trembling as she tried to comprehend the cruelty of her stepsister's actions. "Why?" she whispered.
Emily's gaze turned icy as she continued, "I hate you, Alice, for the beauty that makes everyone adore you. As Emily stood there, her eyes locked on Alice, a storm of emotions raged within her. She couldn't contain the bitter feelings that had been festering for so long. With a tremor in her voice, she accused Alice, not just for the endless disputes between her parents, but also for her birth mother's tragic passing shortly after giving birth to her.
"Your father doesn't love you," Emily asserted, her words dripping with disdain. "It's clear he's only keeping a promise he made to his late wife." She paused, her anger simmering just below the surface. "I've overheard their arguments, Alice. They argued about you. So, I must ask you, what family do you have? What purpose does your life even serve?"
After hearing Emily, Alice's heart shattered, the cruelty of her stepsister's accusations cutting deeper than any wound she had ever known. She felt the weight of guilt and despair settle upon her, wondering if she was indeed a cursed child, as some had believed.
As the tears flowed freely down her cheeks, Alice clung to the portriat of her mother, her voice quivering with sorrow. "Why was I born?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Am I truly a cursed child?" As she wept, she couldn't help but question her very existence, overwhelmed by doubt about whether she truly belonged to the Volta family and whether her presence had brought nothing but pain and suffering to those she loved.
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