Cynthia beamed with joy. Even if she couldn’t see clearly, she knew with her heart’s eye that her daughter standing in front of the full-length mirror looked like a fairy.
“You look so beautiful, Charlotte!”
“Oh, Mother, you flatter me.”
“I can’t believe the wedding is tomorrow. Time really flies, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it really does.”
Charlotte shyly lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her fingers. Cynthia, standing behind her, gently stroked her soft hair.
“People always said you were beautiful since you were little.”
“No, Mother. My sister was always the prettier one.”
Charlotte’s face clouded over slightly as she bowed her head.
“If only things hadn’t turned out the way they did… Father too…”
As the wedding approached, memories of her family, which she had tried hard to forget, came flooding back. Her father, who had become violent after losing his job but was still caring when sober. Her sister, with whom she had shared a bed and blankets, and who had been her closest friend.
Sometimes she felt guilty for enjoying good food and wearing nice clothes. Sensing her daughter’s feelings, Cynthia placed a comforting hand on Charlotte’s shoulder and smiled gently.
“Charlotte, my dear daughter.”
“……”
“All that matters is that you live well.”
“Mother…”
“That’s all that counts.”
Tears welled up in Cynthia’s wrinkled eyes. Charlotte turned around. The mother and daughter, so alike, faced each other. Cynthia gently wiped the tears from Charlotte’s reddened eyes and took her hand. Composing herself, Charlotte changed the subject naturally.
“How have you been feeling lately?”
“The doctor has been taking good care of me, so I’m fine.”
“And your eyesight?”
“I can see well enough to recognize you from this distance. Cough, cough…”
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Cynthia nodded after a brief coughing fit. Her eyesight was deteriorating, but she wasn’t completely blind yet. She could still make out blurry outlines of objects. Occasionally, she bumped into furniture or nearly fell, but with someone by her side, there were no major incidents.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Madam, Dr. Brent is here.”
A familiar voice called from outside. Curious, but only for a moment.
“Well, I should get going. You must have a lot to do as the bride-to-be today.”
Charlotte nodded and gave Cynthia a gentle hug as she coughed again.
“Yes, I’ll see you at dinner.”
Even though her condition had improved significantly, they couldn’t let their guard down. Pneumonia could easily relapse in the increasingly cold winter. They had to be cautious until she was fully recovered.
“Alright.”
The mother and daughter exchanged smiles. Cynthia’s health was still a concern, but aside from that, everything was going smoothly. Almost too smoothly, as if they feared a passing devil might get jealous.
Despite his young age, Dr. Brent was a very competent physician. He removed his stethoscope and smiled gently.
“Your heartbeat is strong. How are you feeling, ma’am?”
“Yes, I feel great. Like I could fly. Though I’ve been feeling a bit more sleepy than usual lately.”
Cynthia, sitting on the bed with a thick blanket over her, responded cheerfully.
“Please, don’t overexert yourself. The snow is getting heavier.”
“Of course.”
Even as they spoke, the view outside the window was filled with large, fluffy snowflakes. Every day, two servants diligently cleared the snow around the mansion, keeping it pristine. However, just a short distance away, the snow was piled up to their shins.
“Here is a week’s worth of medicine. I’ll leave it with Anna, so just take it as you usually do.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Drink plenty of warm water and try to avoid going outside as much as possible.”
“I will.”
Brent stood up and picked up his medical bag. Just then, a voice was heard from outside the door.
“The carriage is here, Doctor.”
“I’ll be right out.”
Brent put on the coat he had taken off earlier.
“I should walk you to the door. I feel bad every time.”
“Please, don’t mention it. I’ll be on my way now.”
“Yes, see you again.”
As they exchanged goodbyes and Brent was about to leave, he turned back.
“By the way.”
“Yes?”
“How is Susan doing?”
“Oh, the maid you recommended.”
Susan was a maid Brent had introduced to replace Rose, who had twisted her ankle. With the other staff, including Anna, getting busier as the employers’ wedding approached, extra help was essential.
“She’s been helping me and assisting with the household chores. Thank you for recommending such a capable person.”
“Not at all. I’m glad to hear that.”
Brent’s previously tense expression softened.
“I should have done a more thorough background check before introducing her, but things were quite hectic.”
“Given that she had a major accident and lost her memory, it’s understandable. She’s quiet but very kind.”
At first, they were startled by the woman wearing a mask, but upon hearing about the large scar on her face, they felt a surge of sympathy. Considering Brent’s recommendation, they decided to give her a chance, and Susan had exceeded their expectations.
“She seems to be about my age. It’s heartbreaking to think about what she might have gone through.”
“Her memory will return soon enough. Take care.”
Brent bowed slightly and opened the door. Susan, who was standing in the hallway, reached out to carry the medical bag, but Brent gently declined, indicating he was fine.
“No need to see me off today, Susan. Please take good care of Madam.”
“Yes, Doctor. Take care.”
After receiving a polite bow from Susan, Brent walked away. Once he was out of sight, Susan knocked on the door again. Upon being invited in, she saw Cynthia sitting up in bed, gesturing her over.
“Did the doctor leave safely?”
“Yes. How are you feeling?”
Susan sat in the chair by the bedside where Brent had been and poured tea from the pot on the table, handing a filled cup to Cynthia.
“Thanks to everyone’s concern, I’m feeling much better.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Her voice was oddly low as she responded. Susan skillfully handed Cynthia the pills. Cynthia swallowed them with a sip of water, then coughed lightly. Susan gently rubbed her back until the coughing subsided. Once it stopped completely, Cynthia took a deep breath and smiled.
“Thank you. The mansion is so quiet today.”
“With the wedding so close, everyone is busy working on the chapel.”
From Anna, who was overseeing everything, to the errand boy, everyone was incredibly busy preparing for tomorrow’s wedding. The bride, Charlotte, was planning to spend the day in town with Mrs. Zhenya to sort out some jewelry issues, while Richard was expected to finish all the necessary approvals in the morning and return around lunchtime.
“There’s a whirlwind of emotions with my child’s wedding approaching. Susan, you…”
Cynthia trailed off mid-sentence, yawning deeply.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
Talking about her child in front of someone who had suffered a terrible ordeal and lost their memory seemed too cruel. Cynthia hesitated, unsure how to continue, but Susan’s unexpected response surprised her.
“I had a son.”
“A son?”
“Yes.”
Susan’s formerly polite tone had shifted to a casual one. Cynthia’s eyes widened in shock as Susan leaned in close and removed her mask. Cynthia’s face turned pale at the sight.
“You, you are…”
“It’s been a while.”
Susan—or rather, Janice, who had discarded her mask—revealed her face, twisted by burn scars, and smiled.
“Why… why are you here… you…!”
Mr. Winkle had told her that he brought Charlotte, who had been wrongfully expelled from the Kensington household. Cynthia knew the general situation from him, but she couldn’t comprehend why Janice appeared before her in such a dreadful state.
Summoning all her strength, Cynthia tried to get out of bed and head for the door. However, she was yanked back by her hair and fell to the floor.
“Aaah!”
“You know about my son.”
Janice, with her arms crossed, looked down at Cynthia, who lay on the floor in agony.
“And my husband.”
“What…?”
Cynthia gasped, paralyzed with shock. The woman before her, Janice Brown, seemed off. Her eyes were unfocused, and a bizarre smile played on her lips. It was as if she couldn’t distinguish between her son and her husband. The chilling realization made Cynthia inch backward, dragging herself across the floor.
“What are you talking about…? Who are you here for…?”
“You don’t need to know. I…”
Janice’s mouth twitched as she spoke.
“I’m going to set everything right. So… you all just need to disappear.”
“Aaaah!”
“If you lose everything like I did, then he’ll come back to me. Seymour…”
Janice’s grip on Cynthia’s hair was relentless as she hauled her up with uncanny strength. Cynthia writhed in pain, feeling as if her hair would be ripped out. Her screams echoed hollowly, unheard by anyone.
“Let go! Mr. Winkle will be back soon…”
“I know. Everyone will be back soon.”
Heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. Cynthia’s mouth opened and closed helplessly. She needed to resist, but her body refused to cooperate.
‘Tomorrow is my daughter’s wedding… Charlotte, run…’
But the words never left her lips.
“Goodbye, Cynthia.”
Janice’s eerie smile widened as she plunged a hidden knife straight into Cynthia’s heart. Cynthia’s hand, which had been reaching for the door, twitched briefly before falling limp.
Almost simultaneously, the door behind her opened.
“You’re here, Seymour.”
Janice pulled out the dagger and let it drop, turning her head away. Cynthia’s limp body sprawled on the floor. Richard, entering the scene, quickly assessed what had happened. Before Janice could react, he grabbed her wrists and slammed her face into the ground. A short, pained groan escaped her lips.
“…Ugh!”
“Do you realize,” Richard’s voice was rough and chilling, like scraping stone, “what you’ve done?”
“Seymour…”
Janice’s restrained body squirmed. The unexpected name from her lips made Richard narrow his eyes.
“Are you insane?”
“Seymour, I…”
Janice suddenly began to sob, her breath hitching.
“I chose money over you and gave birth to a monster.”
Muttering, she picked up the dagger she had plunged into Cynthia’s heart moments before.
“But you marrying another woman… I can’t let that happen. Never!”
In the next instant, she slashed her own wrist without hesitation.
“Aaaah!”
The excruciating pain made her lips tremble. Blood gushed from her severed artery. As the pressure pinning her down abruptly lifted, Janice raised her head. Richard stood up, pinching his nose, trying to regain his composure. His dark pupils narrowed vertically.
Blood.
The long-suppressed urge surged, mocking him. He staggered backward, but the scent of blood tickling his nose caused the bones in his hand to protrude.
His breath quickened with thirst. He tried to leave hurriedly, but Janice, now crawling, grabbed his ankle and whispered a curse.
“Drink.”
“…”
“The monster I birthed, that’s you.”
Her bloodshot eyes met his. He barely suppressed his instincts. Richard moved with great effort, as if his ankle was weighed down, and grasped the doorknob.
Just beyond this door.
“Or…”
Janice laughed maniacally, dragging Cynthia’s still-warm body and slashing her wrist as well. Fresh blood trickled down the pale flesh.
“Or is a Hegel’s blood better?”
His patience snapped. As the monster lunged at her, Janice welcomed it with a smile.
***
Charlotte returned home a bit later after selecting her jewelry.
As soon as she stepped into the eerily silent mansion, an inexplicable sense of dread crept up from her toes.
“Mom…?”
She took a deep breath and climbed the stairs. As she slowly opened the door, she was met with a gruesome sight.
Blood pooled across the floor. Two women lay lifeless. And…
A man, having finished feeding, licked the blood from his wrist.
“Ah…”
The man slowly lifted his head. His eyes were like a snake’s.
“Aah…”
Charlotte’s mind went blank. Fear, anger, sorrow—all these emotions struck her at once, making her step back. The monster, having dropped the corpse, approached her.
Don’t come closer.
Don’t come closer…!
Charlotte’s pupils rolled back. She lost consciousness and collapsed.
Charlotte did not wake up, not even on the day of her mother’s funeral.
🍉🍉🍉
