7. Love and Questions

Lilian was startled by the sound of the doorbell echoing through the empty halls as left what she was teaching Shirley and hurried to answer it, her heart pounding in her chest as she wondered who it might be.

To her surprise, she found her father standing on the doorstep, his face filled with concern as he took in her appearance.

"Lilian, my dear, are you alright?" her father asked, his voice filled with worry as he reached out to embrace her.

Lilian forced a smile, though she knew her father could see through the pretense.

"I'm fine, Father. Please, come in," she replied, stepping aside to allow him to enter into the grand display of the mansion.

As they made their way to the sitting room, Lilian's father cast another look around the elegant surroundings, his brow furrowing in awe at the sight of the lavish furnishings and extravagant decorations.

"I must say, Lilian, this is quite the place you've found yourself in," he remarked, his tone filled with gladness as he took a seat on o