She's different

“Hey! Careful sweetheart,”

A hand gripped Lisa from behind. Her vision was blurred, her eyes already heavy with exhaustion, but she was certain the touch belonged to a woman. She could sense it.

“Mom…” she whispered weakly, before her world dissolved into darkness.

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When her eyes fluttered open again, she found herself in a different room. Not the one she had been in before. The bed beneath her was softer, larger. For a moment, she lay still, her body aching, every movement sending waves of pain through her. She had been unconscious, but for how long, she couldn’t tell.

The memory of a woman’s arms holding her before she passed out flashed in her mind. It felt like Mom.

“Gently,” a voice whispered. The sound startled her. It was the same voice she had heard before collapsing, soft, angelic, almost like a song.

Lisa turned her head slowly and her eyes widened. Before her stood an older woman with long, lush gunmetal grey hair and striking blue eyes that glimmered with warmth, eyes so much like her mother’s. The woman’s smile was gentle, her presence oddly calming.

Her name was Teresa.

Years ago, after Alfred escaped from Lisa’s father, it was Teresa’s daughter, Laura, who had taken him in. Laura, ruthless and unyielding, had molded Alfred into the man he had become, cold, merciless, blinded by vengeance. She had taught him to never pity, to never forgive. Before her death, Laura had made Alfred swear he would avenge his family’s murder. And Alfred had sworn it.

But Teresa had never agreed. She had always preached forgiveness, always tried to steer him away from hatred. Yet Alfred was deaf to her words.

“I see you’re awake,” Teresa said softly, offering Lisa a smile. She reached forward to help her sit. Lisa hesitated but allowed her touch.

Lisa’s gaze dropped to the bed, then to her body. Her clothes had been changed. Shock jolted through her. How? Who?

“I helped you clean up,” Teresa explained, as though reading her thoughts. “Alfred asked me to move you here. This will be your new room.” Her eyes, however, betrayed a flicker of pity.

She’s so young… too young to carry this kind of pain, Teresa thought, watching Lisa’s fragile frame. I pray she survives Alfred’s wrath.

“The maid will bring your food soon. For now, take these.” Teresa handed her a glass of water and some tablets. “They’ll help with the pain.”

Lisa took them silently, sipping the water before handing the cup back. “Thank you,” she murmured, though her eyes brimmed with suspicion.

Memories of Alfred’s cruelty stormed back, tearing at her heart. Tears threatened, but she shook them away. I am stronger than this. I have to be.

Mom always said challenges make life interesting… and overcoming them makes life beautiful. I will overcome this. I will not break.

The creak of the door interrupted her resolve. A maid stepped in with a tray of food.

Ria.

The moment their eyes met, Ria’s glare sliced into her like a blade, cold and sharp. Lisa stiffened. Shivers crawled down her spine.

Why does she hate me so much? From the moment she first saw me, her eyes have been filled with jealousy and loathing. But why?

Ria set the tray on the bed, offered a small bow to Teresa, and left without a word.

“You should eat before it gets cold,” Teresa said gently.

Lisa stared at the food, then at Teresa. Her voice shook with bitterness. “How do I know it isn’t poisoned? That monster wants me dead.”

Teresa sighed. “Alfred isn’t a monster, dear.”

Lisa’s eyes flared with anger. “Not a monster? He took my virginity! He destroyed me! And you’re defending him?” Her voice cracked with pain.

Teresa looked at her sadly. “He didn’t want to hurt you, Lisa. You don’t know what real cruelty from him looks like. If he had wanted to, he could’ve given you scars that never heals, scars burned into your skin with a flaming rod.”

Lisa’s lips parted in shock. Flaming rod? Scars that never heal? Her heart pounded. Does that mean… Dad did that to Alfred? Horror twisted inside her.

“I would advise you to stay calm, yield to his instructions, and make your stay here bearable,” Teresa continued gently. “Your father made him the nightmare he is. And if Alfred had wanted to kill you, he would have done it by now. Not with poison. He doesn’t need it.”

Lisa’s hands trembled.

“Eat. Rest. He will be asking for you tomorrow.” Teresa rose, smoothing her dress as she walked toward the door.

Lisa’s voice broke out before she could stop it. “Who are you? What’s your name?”

Teresa turned, her smile faint but kind. “I’m Teresa. His grandmother.”

Lisa froze. “Grandmother? Then please…please talk to him. Make him let me go! I know nothing of this. I don’t deserve to pay for sins I don’t even know!”

Pain flickered in Teresa’s eyes, though her voice stayed calm. “You wouldn’t understand, child. It's complicated”

She slipped out the door, closing it softly behind her.

Lisa stared at the door, her chest heavy. She’s hiding something. I can see it in her eyes. There’s pain there… but also secrets, she thought and sighed,

But right now, none of it mattered.

She was still trapped and there was no getting out of here.

Tbc