Delphine walked wearily through the front door of her home, her mind overwhelmed with a emotions she couldn't even explain.
She had just returned from a life-changing meeting with Ethan.
That meeting had revealed a truth about herself she could have never imagined.
The realization weighed heavily on her heart, and she felt overwhelmed by the countless questions flooding her mind.
As she stepped into her house, the aroma of her mother's cooking enveloped her senses.
Delphine's dad had just arrived home from work for dinner and was chatting with her mother, Helena, in the kitchen.
Helena turned her head, catching sight of her daughter's proved expression.
"Delphine, my dear, you look exhausted. Are you feeling good?" Helena asked, concern etched on her face.
Delphine mustered a fake smile and replied "I'm just a bit tired, Mom. It's been a long day."
Helena glanced at her husband, exchanging a brief knowing look before turning her attention back to Delphine. "Did you spend the day with Dorian?"
Delphine's heart skipped a beat.
The timing couldn't have been more unexpected.
With relief flooding her, she nodded, glad to have a simple answer. "Yes, Mom, I was with Dorian. We spent the day on his boat."
Maria smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. "I'm glad you had a chance to spend some time together again."
Her mother looked satisfied with her answer and Delphine felt relieved.
She could feel her father's curious gaze upon her, his eyes looking for more information.
His father, always observant, had sensed something different.
"Delphine, is there something else going on? You seem a bit off" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
Choosing her words carefully, Delphine replied "It's just been a long day, Dad. I have a lot of things going on in my mind, but spending time with Dorian helped."
Her father nodded, his expression filled with empathy. "Well, you know we're here for you, right? If there's anything you want to talk about, we're always ready to listen."
Even though she was aware that she was lying, Delphine felt a surge of gratitude for her parents' unwavering support.
Anyway, she was sure that her mother had told her father something about Dorian.
Since the day of their discussion, Dorian had not once passed by her house, nor had they studied together there or via video call, nor had Delphine told anything new about him.
It was an unusual circumstance, because she told her mother about everything that happened with him, especially the funny things that happened at school.
Delphine made her way towards her room, her weariness weighing heavily on her shoulders.
She needed a moment of solitude, a chance to process the overwhelming events of the day.
However, as she reached the hallway, her mother's gentle voice called out to her.
"Delphine, dinner is almost ready" Helena said, her tone filled with concern. "Go wash your hand and join us, you shouldn't skip dinner, especially after a long day."
Delphine turned around, her eyes meeting her mother's caring gaze.
She knew her mom meant well, but the thought of food only deepened her unease.
She paused for a moment, thinking about her next response.
The last thing she wanted to do was deceive her parents, especially since they were already suspicious.
Taking a deep breath, Delphine mustered the courage to be honest.
"Mom, I appreciate your concern, but I'm not feeling hungry right now. I had a snack in the afternoon and if I feel hungry I'll grab another one later."
Maria's expression softened, her concern mingling with understanding.
She took a step closer to Delphine, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'll leave you a portion of the dinner, so if you're hungry you can just reheat it in the microwave".
"Thank you, Mom," Delphine whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.
With a mixture of relief and sadness for lying to them, Delphine retreated to her room.
She settled in her room and started reflecting on the day's events.
She knew that she couldn't force herself to eat when her mind and body were already overwhelmed.
She stood in front of her closet, contemplating which pajamas to wear later.
Then, she made her way to the bathroom, craving the soothing sensation of a shower.
The water cascaded down her body, washing away the physical and emotional fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day.
As the warm droplets enveloped her, she allowed herself to release the tension.
After stepping out of the shower, Delphine wrapped herself in a plush towel, feeling the sensation of softness against her skin.
She made her way back to her room and quickly wore her pajama.
She felt that she needed a distraction and decided to indulge in a favorite pastime—watching an episode of a TV show she loved.
Delphine settled into her cozy bed, propping up the pillows behind her.
With a flick of the remote, the screen flickered to life, casting a soft glow in her dimly lit room.
She really needed to think about something else and watching a TV show seemed like the best solution.
The night passed by in tranquility, surprising Delphine with its serenity.
She thought that she would struggle with falling asleep that night, but surprisingly, she fell asleep and didn't wake up until morning broke.
As the warm rays of the summer sun filtered through Delphine's window, she gradually stirred from her peaceful sleep.
She sat up and her stomach let out a soft growl, reminding her of its morning hunger.
With a newfound appetite, Delphine made her way to the kitchen, where her mother was already having breakfast.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm filled croissants filled the air.
Helena turned her head and greeted Delphine with a smile.
"Good morning, sleepyhead" her mother said, her eyes twinkling.
"Seems like your appetite has finally awakened."
Delphine's stomach rumbled in agreement, and she couldn't help but smile in response. "I can't wait, Mom. Everything smells delicious."
She say down at the table and grabbed a warm croissant, which she began to eat heartily.
The conversation with his mother was natural, like every morning
After finishing her meal, Delphine shared her plans for the day.
"Mom, I need to return some books to the library. I was thinking of heading there after breakfast. Is that alright?"
Helena nodded, surprised by asking her permission for something like that. "Of course, dear."
Delphine went back to her room and quickly got ready for the day.
She quickly picked a comfortable outfit suitable for the warm summer weather.
Donning a pair of short jeans, a light, breezy top, and her trusty sneakers, she felt ready for the day.
Gathering her essentials, she carefully placed her laptop into a protective bag.
Then, she embarked on her journey to the library.
She embraced the usual walk through the idyllic countryside that surrounded her house.
The dew-kissed grass brushed against her ankles, and the melodies of chirping birds accompanied her along the winding path.
The familiar sights and sounds of nature served as a comforting backdrop, grounding her in the tranquility of the moment.
Reaching the outskirts of the countryside, Delphine arrived at the bus stop, where she patiently waited for the arrival of the next bus that would transport her to the bustling city where the library awaited.
With each passing mile, the countryside gradually transformed into the lively cityscape, with its towering buildings, bustling streets, and diverse tapestry of people.
Exiting the bus at her designated stop, Delphine merged with the stream of pedestrians navigating the city's sidewalks.
The library beckoned her with its big facade, a sanctuary of knowledge within the urban landscape of the city center.
With her laptop bag slung over her shoulder, she walked through the garden and then the library's grand entrance.
However, she wasn't actually there to return books.
She was driven by an insatiable curiosity about Atlantis and mermaids.
Though torn by guilt, Delphine knew she had to keep her research a secret.
She yearned to understand more about her mermaid heritage and Atlantis, to uncover the mysteries that lingered beneath the depths of the ocean.
She knew that she had to hesitate to involve her loved ones, fearing that they would think that she was getting out of her mind or that her journey would burden them.
She really wanted to tell them about everything and process whatever was happening with their support and love, but she just couldn't.
Her fears kept her silent, locked in her solitary pursuit of truth.
In the depths of her heart, Delphine knew that her intentions were rooted in a desire to protect those she loved and that lying was justified.
She also didn't want to drag her parents or Dorian into the uncharted waters of her identity until she had a better grasp of the truth herself.
And so, she persevered, seeking answers in the pages of ancient texts and internet websites, determined to understand her place in the world and the legacy that flowed within her veins.
As she walked into the library, Delphine's footsteps echoed with trepidation.
Despite the academic year coming to an end for everyone, the library was bustling with activity.
University and final exams loomed over students like a daunting shadow, and they needed a quiet corner to study in company.
Delphine observed the influx of individuals, a mix of high school seniors and university students, all huddled over textbooks, notebooks, and laptops.
She quietly navigated through the crowded aisles, searching for an available seat.
The students surrounding her were deep in concentration, their brows furrowed with the weight of their studies.
She found one, left her bag there and weaved through the aisles, her eyes scanning titles that promised hidden knowledge and forgotten histories.