Beatrice had set her plan in motion, determined to rid the Volta family of Alice once and for all. With her influential family connections, she discreetly contacted St. Joseph Church, known for its history of exorcisms. Through these connections, she arranged a meeting with Father Miles and Sister Diane at the church.

As they gathered in the dimly lit room, Beatrice explained her predicament to the two religious figures. Father Miles listened intently, his wise eyes studying her closely. "This is not the work of a demon or a ghost," he stated solemnly, "but on a child born with supernatural powers. Our methods won't work on her."

Undeterred, Beatrice pressed on, her desperation evident. She asked them to fabricate a story of possession, to claim that Alice was possessed and needed to be exorcised for her own safety. Father Miles, bound by his ethics and respect for the church, shook his head. "I cannot do something that disrespects our faith and our principles."

Left with no choice, Beatrice was entrusted with the care of Sister Diane, who saw an opportunity to fulfill her own twisted agenda. She perceived Alice as a threat, a practitioner of witchcraft, and someone who needed to be dealt with.

Sister Diane offered a sinister solution, suggesting they stage a fake exorcism. She explained a mysterious liquid that she could add to Alice's food, a stimulant designed for witches. Sister Diane didn't disclose the substance's name but clarified its effects. Untrained individuals who ingested it would lose control of their powers, causing displays that could be mistaken for possession. She assured Beatrice that the liquid was harmless to everyone else and would only affect the one possessing supernatural abilities.

Beatrice inquired about any potential harm to Alice, but Sister Diane assured her that the effect would last only for five minutes. It was a crucial moment that would allow Sister Diane to fabricate an exorcism convincingly.

With their sinister plan in place, Sister Diane pondered the ideal opportunity to put it into action. Suddenly, it dawned on her – Alice's upcoming birthday was just a week away. She proposed they attend the celebration and enact their scheme on that day.

Beatrice readily agreed, her sinister smile reflecting the dark intentions she held for Alice. As Sister Diane left briefly to her cabin outside the prayer hall, Beatrice waited with anticipation. Sister Diane returned with a small vial, containing the mysterious liquid. She handed it to Beatrice, instructing her to use it carefully.

With her sinister alliance secured, Beatrice left the church with a malevolent grin, knowing that one way or another, she would soon have the means to finally remove Alice from the Volta family. In the aftermath of the unsettling plan that Beatrice and Sister Diane had hatched, Alice found herself waking up in her room, her mood weighed down by the recent turn of events. She had grown increasingly conservative, trying to hide her supernatural abilities and live a peaceful, uneventful life within the mansion's confines.

One morning, Mary, her loyal maid, entered her room, keen to uplift Alice's spirits. She sensed that something was amiss and inquired about Alice's mood. Alice, unable to share the truth, replied with a simple "fine," masking her inner turmoil. Mary, though trying her best to bring back Alice's cheer, was met with resistance, and Alice's heart remained heavy.

However, Mary had an idea that could bring some joy into Alice's life. With Alice's birthday approaching within a week, Mary approached Charles with a request to throw a surprise birthday party for his daughter. Charles, initially hesitant, ultimately agreed, as the date held significance for him, too, marking the day he had lost his beloved Daisy.

With Charles's approval, Mary discreetly gathered all the maids to start preparing for the secret celebration. Unbeknownst to them, Beatrice overheard one of the maids discussing the surprise birthday party. It was a stroke of luck for Beatrice, as she had been planning to throw a party of her own. With the opportunity seemingly presenting itself, she approached Charles and asked if she could invite a guest to Alice's birthday. Charles, considering it an opportunity to make the event even more joyous, readily agreed.

A week later, on a beautiful morning, Alice awoke to the warmth of the sun streaming through her window. She was relieved that, unlike vampires, she didn't burn in the sunlight, thanks to her hybrid nature. It was her special day, her birthday, and her first wish came from her devoted maid, Mary. Alice readied herself and made a pilgrimage to her mother's grave, offering thanks for giving her life.

Upon returning home, she was met with an unexpected surprise. The dining room was adorned with a multitude of delectable dishes, a sight that filled her with astonishment and joy. Her father, Charles, offered the first birthday wish, accompanied by a thoughtful gift—a book that she wanted for a long time. Alice smiled with gratitude, thankful for the love he showed on this special day.

Beatrice, along with her daughter Emily, wished Alice a birthday, although their tone was far from warm and their intentions far from sincere. Alice, in her gracious manner, thanked them for their wishes, putting on a brave face despite the complex dynamics within the family.