Chapter 4 - family ties

I stood still, looking out the clean window at the beautiful city. This was my first time feeling peaceful, and my worries had gone away. I felt like a normal girl.

"Avery Wellesley," I sighed, feeling happy. But my peace didn't last long, as a thought came into my mind. I may have been reborn, but I still lived in the same world, and my enemies were still out there. I couldn't let my guard down.

Just then, a maid came into the room, bowing her head. "Young mistress, what are you doing in here?" she asked, her voice shaking.

I turned to face her, a small smile on my lips. "I'm the young lady of this house. I can go anywhere I want." I gently pinched her chin, lifting her head to look at me. Her eyes widened in fear, and tears came into her eyes.

"Why are you scared?" I asked, letting go of her chin.

The maid hesitated before answering. "You're...but the master said no one can come in here. Not even Lady Stella."

I was curious. "Why? What's special about this room?" I asked.

The maid looked at me like she couldn't believe I didn't know. "This was your mom's room...where she painted and spent time with you and your dad before she died. How could you forget?"

I remembered something. I saw a beautiful woman with blonde hair, painting and smiling while I sat next to her. The same painting was on the wall in front of me. I felt tears in my eyes, but I quickly stopped them.

I turned to the maid, my face softening. "What's your name?" I asked gently.

The maid looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not important enough for you to know my name, milady. I'm just a maid."

I shook my head, smiling. "We're both human. I'm asking you as one girl to another, what's your name?"

The maid's face lit up with a surprised smile. "My master named me Tessie," she said.

I took Tessie's hand, and we sat on the bed. I got some cream from my bag and put it on her chin where I had pinched her.

"I'm sorry," I said, looking at her.

Tessie looked up, tears in her eyes. "It's not your fault, milady," she whispered.

"From today, you're my maid!" I said, leaving the room.

As I went downstairs, I saw Stella and my dad standing near the entrance, with a girl who had black hair.

"Who's that?" I asked.

The girl turned around, and I saw she looked like Stella.

"Willow?" I said, taking a step closer.

Stella looked surprised, and my dad smiled a little. "Avery, this is your sister, Willow," he said.

I laughed and hugged Willow. "Welcome to the family," I said.

Willow looked surprised, but she hugged me back. I could tell she was unsure, but I couldn't tell if she was really Stella's daughter. I needed to be careful.