CHAPTER FOUR: Secrets

After the morning drama, I lost interest and decided to just go home straight. 

On my way home, I passed by the market and decided to buy a few things. I wanted to make something simple and sweet for my grandpa, but by the time I got home, it was already late. The house was quiet and even empty.

I was halfway up the stairs when I heard my name.

I stop.

Grandfather’s office door is slightly ajar, light spilling into the hallway. His voice is low, clipped in a way I rarely hear—controlled, careful.

“I won’t pretend this doesn’t complicate things,” he says.

Another man responds, but I can’t make out the words. His voice is rougher. Older. Someone who isn’t family.

“—she doesn’t know,” Grandfather continues. “And I intend to keep it that way for now.”

My fingers curl around the stair railing.

Keep it that way?

A chair scrapes softly inside the room. Papers rustle.

“She’s still a child,” Grandfather says, more firmly now. “She’s already been through enough.”

The man sighs. I catch fragments—timeline, paperwork, sooner than expected—but the rest blurs together, muffled by the walls and the sound of blood rushing in my ears.

“This stays between us,” Grandfather says. “Until I decide otherwise.”

Silence.

Then footsteps.

I move.

By the time the office door opens fully, I’m already climbing the stairs again, heart steady, expression calm. The man passes without looking at me, his face unreadable. I didn’t get to see his face.

Grandfather lingers in the doorway, watching his retreat.

When his eyes meet mine, he smiles.

“Were you heading to your room?” he asks.

“No, I was thinking of making you dinner”

He shakes his head, “ leave the dinner to the people in charge your father and his family are coming over” he turns his back to me “Dress up honey , they will be here soon.”

 He looked normal but yet for the first time since my rebirth, I feel it clearly—not danger, not fear, but the weight of a secret already in motion.

The doorbell rings right on time.

Grandfather doesn’t hurry.He smooths the front of his jacket, then nods once to himself before opening the door.

My father stands first—stiff, uncertain, like he’s already bracing for something. Beside him is Selena, perfectly dressed, perfectly composed. Her smile is polite, not warm.

And then there’s Lucinda.

She steps forward immediately, both hands clasped in front of her, eyes bright the moment she sees Grandfather.

“Grandpa Thomas,” she says sweetly. “It’s been so long. You look well.”

She bows her head slightly, just enough to seem respectful without looking rehearsed. Selena’s hand rests lightly on her shoulder, approving.

“You’ve grown,” Grandfather says, his tone neutral.

Lucinda beams. “I try to be good. Mama always says I should live up to your expectations.”

Selena laughs softly. “She talks about you all the time.”

I stand a little to the side, unnoticed at first.

Then Lucinda sees me.

Her smile falters for half a second—barely a crack—before smoothing back into place.

“Big Sister Seraphina,” she says, delighted. “I didn’t know you’d be here already.”

I nod. “I live here.”

Her eyes flicker again.

“Oh,” she says, quickly recovering. “That must be nice.”

We moved to the dining room.

Lucinda takes every opportunity to sit close to Grandfather, to laugh gently at things that aren’t funny. She listens attentively, asks careful questions, praises the house, the food.

She craved approval.

Grandfather watches her over the rim of his teacup, unreadable.

Halfway through dinner, my father sets his fork down.

“Dad,” he says, clearing his throat. “I wanted to ask… why was Seraphina transferred to Lucinda’s school?”

The table stills.

Selena’s fingers tighten slightly around her napkin. Lucinda freezes—just for a moment—then looks confused, innocent.

“I thought it was a mistake at first,” my father continues. “But the paperwork was finalized quickly.”

Grandfather lifts his gaze.

For a moment, something sharp flickers in his eyes.

“I moved her because—”

He stops.

The word hangs there, unfinished.

Because what?

Because she is safer where I can watch her?

Lucinda leans forward slightly. “Is it because of me?” she asks softly. “If I did something wrong, I can apologize.”

Selena places a comforting hand over Lucinda’s. “She worries too much,” she says gently.

Grandfather exhales and sets his teacup down.

“I moved her because it was my decision,” he says calmly. “No further explanation is required.”

My father frowns. “But Dad—”

“That’s enough,” Grandfather interrupts, his tone firm now. “I won’t have my choices questioned at my own table.”

Silence follows.

Lucinda lowers her gaze, biting her lip, as if holding back tears. “I just hope Big Sister won’t feel uncomfortable,” she murmurs. “I really want us to get along.”

The room shifts.

I say nothing.

Grandfather looks at me once, briefly.

And in that glance, I understand: whatever he almost said would have changed everything.

The dinner continues.

Smiles return. Laughter resumes.

But something has already fractured.

And Lucinda—sweet, careful Lucinda—has just learned that I am close enough now to watch her grow.