5 YEARS LATER
It had been five years.
I hadn't seen or heard from Adele since the day she left.
All I had left was the bracelet she gave me.
She had taken my pendant and left me her bracelet in exchange.
She said it would help us recognize each other someday… no matter how much time passed.
Kids got adopted as the years went by…
But I didn't.
Who would want a child with a heart disease?
A girl who looked so pale, like she could collapse at any moment…
I had just returned from school. There were dishes waiting for me—I earned a small amount of money from washing them. Sometimes, I helped older people on nearby farms, and they paid me as well.
At least… I had enough to buy the few things I needed.
__________________________________________
Willow sat quietly on her bed, eyes closed as she fought back the tears threatening to spill.
A couple had come earlier, looking to adopt.
For a moment, they had shown interest in her…
But the moment they found out about her condition, their expressions changed.
Disgust.
It was just another unlucky day.
"Willow." someone called
She opened her eyes and looked up.
"Get dressed. Someone is finally here to adopt you. I guess your prayers were heard," Mrs. Odessa said before walking out.
WILLOW
I couldn't believe it.
After all these years… someone finally came for me.
I quickly got dressed in my best—though simple—dress, fixing my hair carefully.
But as I stepped out, fear crept in.
What if they changed their mind?
What if they looked at me… and saw nothing but a
burden?
What if they dislike my appearance?
"Willow!" Mrs. Odessa yelled sharply.
"I'm sorry…" I muttered, I didn't realize I had stopped walking.
_____________________________________
Willow stood in front of an elderly woman who stared at her blankly, her expression unreadable.
"Mrs. Ann, if you're not satisfied with her, we can bring someone else," Mrs. Odessa said breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"No need," the woman replied.
"I'll take her."
Willow's eyes widened slightly, relief washing over her.
She followed the woman quietly.
An old woman…? she thought.
But her thoughts were cut short when they stepped outside—
A sleek black car waited.
A wealthy family…
_________________________________
WINDSONG HIGH SCHOOL
Students hurried through the hallways as classes were about to begin.
Teachers moved around, preparing for the day ahead.
___________________________________
Eiravyn walked into the classroom quietly, her best friend Kaida beside her, talking non-stop, blabbering words Eiravyn barely paid attention to.
They both took their seats.
"Hey, did you read the latest news on the blog?" Kaida whispered excitedly.
"I'm not interested in that. Stop reading those things," Eiravyn replied calmly.
"You have to listen—it's about Aethera," Kaida insisted.
"What did she do this time? Does she ever stop causing trouble?" Ethan said with a sigh as he took a seat beside Eiravyn.
Eiravyn rolled her eyes and shifted slightly away from him.
"You gossip too much," she muttered, making Kaida chuckle while Ethan frowned.
"As I was saying—" Kaida began, but stopped when the teacher walked in with a girl behind him.
"Good morning, class," he greeted.
"Good morning, sir," the students responded.
"We have a new student. Her name is Willow Blackwood. Please be kind and treat her well."
"Willow, you can sit next to Thane," he added, pointing at a silver-haired boy.
Willow nodded quietly and walked to her seat.
As soon as the teacher left, Aethera—the well-known troublemaker—stood up and walked toward Willow.
She slammed her hand on Willow's desk, a wicked glint in her eyes.
"So… I heard the Blackwoods adopted a daughter," she said mockingly.
"I didn't expect it to be someone so pale… and sickly."
A few students laughed.
Willow lowered her head, saying nothing, her fingers suddenly becoming the most interesting thing in the room.
"Oh… are you dumb too?" Aethera added with a smirk.
"Stop. Leave her alone. Not everyone has time for your madness," Thane said suddenly.
Aethera turned to him, eyes blazing.
"How dare you speak to me like that! Don't you ever do that again, or else!"
"Or else what?" Eiravyn cut in calmly.
"Just because your father owns the school doesn't make us your slaves."
"what I do is non of your business, stay out of this, I wasn't speaking to you " Aethera snapped.
Just stop this Aethera ," another student added, with a few others backing him up.
Aethera clenched her fists, her teeth gritted before stomping back to her seat.
After a while, Eiravyn glanced at Willow, who stared back blankly at her.
"You should learn to stand up for yourself, defend yourself from Aethera" she said.
"Or you'll just become an easy target here."
Willow said nothing. She stared for a while then simply lowered her gaze to her fingers again.
Eiravyn watched her for a moment… then turned back as the next teacher walked in.
___________________________
DURING LUNCH BREAK…
The classroom had emptied quickly, students rushing out in groups, their laughter and chatter fading into the distance.
Only three students remained behind.
Two were quietly studying, flipping through their books, while Willow sat still in her seat, staring down at her fingers as if lost in another world.
Across from her, Thane watched silently, concern evident in his eyes.
"…Are you okay?" he asked softly.
His voice startled her.
Willow looked up at him, her eyes slightly wide.—
Memories from two days ago came rushing back.
Her chest tightened as she fought hard to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
FLASHBACK — TWO DAYS AGO…
After hours of traveling, they finally arrived at Willow's new home.
She stepped out of the car slowly, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her.
The mansion stood tall and grand, far bigger than anything she had ever seen.
"It's… huge…" she thought, completely awestruck.
"Close that disgusting mouth of yours before flies get in and you choke to death;" Mrs. Ann's cold voice cut through her thoughts.
Willow flinched slightly instantly.
Mrs. Ann stared at her with dark, unreadable eyes before turning away without another word.