Serena returned to the greenhouse—her so-called ’room’—and paused at the entrance, her hand still on the doorknob as her eyes widened in horror. The ssy, damp, bug-infested space she’d reluctantly claid as her own was...gone.
What in the world?
She blinked, stepping back for a mont to make sure she hadn’t wandered into so parallel universe. No, it was definitely the sa greenhouse. Only now, everything was different—almost suspiciously so. The once grimy glass walls were now covered with cozy blinds, and an air conditioner humd softly in the background, transforming the stifling heat into a gentle, cool breeze. The bugs and pests that had claid the corners of the room? Gone, probably chard away by the Pied Piper himself. There wasn’t a single speck of dust on the floor that she could see.
Her mattress, which had been little more than a thin lump of misery, had been replaced with an actual bed. A small but polished desk sat in the corner, and to top it all off, a table now stood in the center, laden with snacks. Snacks. Was this so kind of joke?
Serena shook her head, half-expecting to wake up any second now. "Am I in so twisted alternate reality?" she muttered, cautiously stepping inside, as if the room might vanish the mont she crossed the threshold.
She’d been gone an hour at most! How could this have happened?
Just then, a pair of hands covered her face and she stiffened. "What do you think of this miss?"
As she opened her eyes, Jane ca in front of her and waggled her eyebrows at her." You did this?"
Jane shook her head," Your grandmother did this. I told you, didn’t I? That the mistress probably did not know how you were being treated and you should tell her? Now see. The mont, she discvored..."
Jane shivered," You should have seen her face. Even the housekeeper was shivering under her anger when I walked in here. And then she told to pack my bags..."
"Your bags?" Serena asked in horror? Had poor Jane been fired?
Taking in her expression, Jane shook her head, " No, silly. I am going to be your neighbour and from today onwards, my only job is to take care of you exclusively."
Serena felt a wave of mixed emotions wash over her. Touching, yes, but a bitter taste lingered on her tongue. Her grandmother had realized that she had been mistreated so she had simply thrown money to clear it away.
And it stung. She’d have rather continued to live in this and hate her than take this.
Yet here stood Jane, bright-eyed and full of enthusiasm, completely oblivious to the turmoil swirling in Serena’s heart.
"Thank you for doing this for ," Serena said, her voice a little thicker than she intended. Before she could think better of it, she pulled Jane into a hug.
Jane bead at her, as she patted her head. "You need to thank your grandmother, not ! I an, just look at this place now! It’s like sothing out of a fairy tale. She told to choose everything to your liking."
"I’m going to sleep now," she finally muttered, stepping back and giving Jane a half-hearted wave before retreating to the bed, completely ignoring what Jane told her about thianking her grandmother. She would have to make note of all the money spent here and add it to the debt that needed to be paid.
The mont her head hit the pillow, however, all her bravado and thoughts crumbled.
As she lay there, staring up at the ceiling, mories ca rushing back—her father’s excited face when he had prepared a room for her long ago. Back then, it had been a haven filled with soft colors, gentle lighting, and all the love a father could give. Now, in a different ti and place, she felt like a shadow of that girl. She’d never had to worry about anything and now...
Tears slipped down her cheeks, blurring the edges of her new surroundings. She turned to the side, higging a pillow to her chest as she thought of her daddy. The room, though beautifully decorated, felt like a reminder of what she had lost—a semblance of safety and warmth that seed out of reach. With every quiet sob, she mourned for her father, for herself and even for the dirty room that had made her strong.
Outside the door, Jane quickly bowed to Edwina Dawn and muttered," She was really happy with the room, Ma’am. She even hugged ..." Realizing that the old mistress mightn ot like this, she quickly clarified, " I’ve told her you did all this! She will probably thank you tomorrow a sshe was knackered today! Until then, I’ll do it.Thank you for your generosity, ma’am."
Edwina nodded and extended her hand, taking the duplicate key of the greenhouse from the maid before dismissing her. However, before she could walk away, Edwina gave Jane an order that had her eyes widening and truly thinking if the old woman had gone senile. But of course, she dared not say anything and proceeded to do the next work, trying not to derive so pleasure from it.
As the maid walked away, Edwina Dawn debated about going inside or retutning to the house. If Serena was anything like Edwina or even Edward, then the girl will definitely not thank her and might even resent her for bing nice.
After a mont of hesitation, however, Edwina walked inside, using the spare key and nodded in satisfaction. The girl had done well with the room.
Her eyes fell on thegirl sleeping in a tight huddle, clutching the pillow like a lifeline. Her heart softened at the sight of Serena’s delicate features, shadowed by tears that had dried on her cheeks. A wave of protectiveness washed over her as she approached the bed, careful not to disturb the fragile peace of the mont.
Sitting beside her, Edwina gently stroked Serena’s hair reminded of her little Edward.
She couldn’t help but sing a soft lullaby, her voice rusty and barely above a whisper. "Hush now, little one, close your eyes, let the world fade away..." As she sang, she watched Serena’s brow relax, her breathing steadying as the gentle notes enveloped her.
"It’s better this way, my dear," Edwina murmured, her heart heavy with understanding. "It’s better if you hold onto your hatred and grow a hard shield to protect yourself."
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