Veronica asked, âEllinor, can you tell me what the plan is? Maybel can help!â
Ellinor shook her head. âYou canât help with this one, Veronica. The best thing you could do for me is to take care of the kids.â
Veronica pouted, âAlright then! But if thereâs anything else I can help with, let me know, alright?â
Ellinor gave her a reassuring smile, âDonât worry, I wonât hesitate to ask for your help. Now, off to bed with you!â
Veronica stood up. âIâll let you rest then, Ellinor. Make sure you get some sleep too.â
âMm.â
Ellinor led Veronica out of the room.
Veronica frowned in concern, both for Ellinor and her long-lost brother, Theo. She hoped he could safely return this time, and not encounter any more unexpected situations. He belonged here, with Ellinor.
On her way to her own bedroom, she suddenly heard her Grandma Marissaâs voice from behind.
âVeronica, what on earth are you doing up so late, gallivanting around Ellinorâs room?â
Veronica turned around, seeing Marissa being supported by one of the housemaids as she walked towards her.
She felt a bit guilty, âUh⦠Grandma, why are you still up?â
Marissa stopped in front of Veronica. âI donât know why, but Iâm feeling quite restless. I couldnât sleep, so I decided to take a stroll. Veronica, I saw you coming out of Ellinorâs room. Is something wrong with Ellinor or the kids?â
Veronica quickly shook her head, âNo, everythingâs fine!â
Marissa felt something was off. She asked, âThen why were you in Ellinorâs room at this time of night?â
Remembering Ellinorâs instructions, Veronica thought for a moment and feigned, âOh⦠I ran out of my face cream after my shower, so I borrowed some from Ellinor.â
Hearing that it was such a trivial matter, Marissa admonished, âI thought it was something serious! Next time, donât bother Ellinor with such minor issues. Sheâs already exhausted from taking care of the kids and handling business affairs. She needs her rest! Missing a day of skincare wonât make you any less beautiful!â
Veronica nodded obediently, âYes, Grandma. I promise I wonât bother Ellinor with such minor things in the future. Now Iâm off to bed!â
She quickly tried to leave, afraid that her grandma might see through her lies.
âHold on!â Marissa called her back.
Forced to stop, Veronica asked, âUh⦠Grandma, is there anything else?â
Marissa, looking uneasy, held her forehead, âI just wanted to know if youâve heard any news about your brother from Ellinor recently?
Veronica became more nervous, âUh⦠No, Grandma! Why do you ask? If there was any news, we would certainly tell you right away!â
Marissa sighed, âOh! I donât know why, but Iâve been having nightmares about your brother lately.
Either heâs hurt, or heâs trapped in a cage. In my dreams, no matter how hard I try, I canât free him and I always wake up in fright. I didnât tell your grandfather. I didnât want him to worry.â
Veronica was taken aback. She hadnât expected Marissa to have such a strong intuition, and it was quite accurate at that.
But she couldnât tell Marissa the truth, so she tried to reassure her, âGrandma, I think youâre just worrying too much about him, and thatâs why youâre having these nightmares. Donât overthink it! As soon as Ellinor gets any news, sheâll let you know. I believe heâs alright. He just couldnât come home for now because of something. Heâll be back. Iâm sure of it.â