Rebecca's mind whirled with the weight of everything she had just learned. She was living in the world of a novel she had once read, inhabiting the body of Rebecca Hellshade, a woman who had mistreated her son, Draven, a boy fated to become a villain. The thought of Draven's cruel future gnawed at her. But underneath the shock, something else stirred—an undeniable sense of responsibility.
In her original world, she had yearned to be a mother. The doctors had told her she could never have children, a diagnosis that had eventually led to her divorce. Her childhood friend, who had once been her husband, couldn't accept a life without children, and their marriage had crumbled. The memory of that loss still stung, but now, in this strange world, she realized she had been given something she had once only dreamed of—a chance to be a mother.
Draven was still just a child. He was frightened, vulnerable, and lacked the warmth of a loving family. In the story, she knew he would grow up under the harsh control of his father, Valen, a man driven by obsession and power. Draven would be shaped into a weapon, cold and emotionless, conditioned to kill without remorse. But the boy didn't have to become that. He still had time. And she—Rebecca—was here now, with the ability to intervene.
A quiet resolution began to form in her heart. She knew that in the novel, Valen's men would eventually begin training Draven, but she couldn't remember exactly when it started. What she did know was that by the age of 15, Draven would be transformed into a heartless tool for his father's ambitions. She had to prevent that. She had to protect him from becoming the villain the story intended him to be.
There was no guarantee that she could change the future, but she was determined to try. The child deserves love and care, not the emotional neglect and abuse he had received. If she could raise him differently—shield him from Valen's influence and show him what it meant to be loved—maybe his path could change.
In her heart, she felt a flicker of something that wasn't just hope, but a deep-rooted need to protect the boy from the fate that awaited him. She couldn't let him fall into the darkness that the story had set out for him. She didn't have experience in raising a child, but what she lacked in experience, she would make up for with compassion.
The decision was clear. She would be the mother he had never had, the family he so desperately needed. And in doing so, she would fight to change his fate, no matter how uncertain the future might be.
Rebecca pushed herself out of bed, feeling a bit weak. The room was quiet, with only a faint breeze from outside. Slowly, she walked toward the washroom, her feet dragging slightly on the cold floor. When she entered, she saw a large mirror hanging above a stone basin.
For a moment, she hesitated before raising her head to look at herself. The face staring back at her was striking, though unfamiliar. Her blonde hair fell softly over her shoulders, long and wavy. Her skin was pale and smooth, her features sharp but delicate.
She touched her face, trying to adjust to this new appearance. As she thought about it, she realized that Draven must take after his father. Though she couldn't recall all the details, she remembered his black hair and his dark eyes.
After freshening up, Rebecca walked toward the large window in her room. She pushed it open gently, and the cool air rushed in, brushing against her face. She took a deep breath, feeling the freshness of the early morning.
Outside the mansion, she could see the forest stretching far beyond the compound walls. The trees stood tall and thick, their green leaves swaying softly in the wind. The forest looked peaceful, almost inviting, though she knew there was something mysterious about it.
Inside the compound, there was a small, well-kept garden. Wildflowers of different colors bloomed around, adding life to the otherwise quiet place. A stone path wound through the garden, leading to a few benches under the shade of old trees. It was beautiful, but there was a sense of emptiness to it, just like the mansion itself.
Rebecca's thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock on the door. She turned her head, surprised at the politeness. "Come in," she called out softly.
The door creaked open, and to her surprise, it was Draven. He stood there, his small frame looking a bit tense, his dark eyes filled with worry.
"Are you okay?" Draven asked, his voice quiet but full of concern. "Are you feeling pain anywhere?"
Rebecca blinked, slightly taken aback by his question. She hadn't expected such concern from him, considering what she had learned about how the boy was treated before. She gave him a small smile, trying to appear reassuring.
"I'm fine," she replied, her voice gentle. "Just a little tired, but no pain."
Draven shifted on his feet, still looking unsure. He seemed to study her face for a moment before nodding slowly.
"If you feel pain or... anything, tell me," he said. "The doctor can come back."
Rebecca's heart softened at the sight of his worry. This was the same boy who had been through so much, yet here he was, caring for someone who had never shown him much affection before. It made her all the more certain that she needed to change his fate.
Rebecca smiled softly at Draven's concern and shook her head. "I'm alright now," she said kindly. "I'm just feeling a little hungry." She paused for a moment, looking at him curiously. "Are you hungry too?"
Draven hesitated, his eyes darting away before he whispered, "A little…."
Rebecca noticed the flicker of fear in his voice, and it tugged at her heart. "Then let's go have breakfast together," she suggested warmly. "Shall we?"
Draven looked startled, shaking his head quickly. "I… I've never had breakfast," he said quietly, his tone almost apologetic. "It's alright if I only have lunch."
Rebecca's chest tightened at his words. How could a child be denied something as simple as breakfast? She reached out and gently touched his shoulder, offering a small smile. "Not today," she said softly. "Today, we'll both have breakfast. Come on, let's go together."