CHAPTER 7 — THE GIFT SHE HAD HIDDEN
After my mother left, the mansion became quiet.
But this silence was different.
It wasn't frightening anymore.
It felt like a room that had finally been opened after years of being locked.
I helped Hannah upstairs.
She was still trembling.
I cleaned the wounds on her wrists.
“Does it hurt?”
“A little.”
I looked at her.
“I will never let this happen again.”
Hannah didn't answer.
She simply looked at me.
“Thomas.”
“Yeah?”
“I'm scared.”
“I know.”
“I'm scared you'll change your mind.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
She stared at me for a long moment.
Then she suddenly asked:
“Do you want to see the rest of the cake?”
I smiled through my tears.
“I thought it was destroyed.”
Hannah pointed toward a small box on the table.
She had hidden it before my mother found her.
I opened it.
Inside was a small piece of cake.
Written across the frosting were the words:
“The best is yet to come.”
I held Hannah close.
“Yes.”
“And this time...”
I kissed her forehead.
May you like
“I won't let anyone destroy it.”
