Chapter 3: A New World of Love and Luxury

I woke up to something soft and warm wrapped around me. It took me a moment to remember where I was. The giant bed, the golden chandeliers, the softest blankets I had ever touched—it wasn't my uncle's house. I wasn't sleeping on the cold floor anymore. I wasn't afraid to wake up and see an angry face glaring down at me.

This was my new home.

But… I still wasn't sure if I wanted it to be.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes. Mama was still asleep beside me, her arms wrapped protectively around me, as if she was afraid I would disappear. I stared at her face. She was so beautiful, like a queen in a storybook. She looked different when she was asleep—less like the powerful woman who ordered people around and more like someone who cared.

I remembered how she had held me in the hospital, how she had whispered over and over again that she would never let anything happen to me again. But why? Why did she care so much?

My stomach growled suddenly, and I jumped. Mama stirred, her long eyelashes fluttering as she opened her eyes. The moment she saw me, her entire face softened into a warm, loving smile.

"Good morning, my baby," she said in a voice so gentle that it made my chest feel funny. "Did you sleep well?"

I didn't answer right away. I wasn't sure what to say. I wasn't used to someone asking me things like that first thing in the morning.

She sat up and cupped my cheeks in her hands. "Are you hungry? Come, let's have breakfast."

Before I could reply, the door burst open, and suddenly, the room was filled with loud, excited voices.

"He's awake!"

"My little brother!"

"Good morning, baby brother!"

I barely had time to react before I was surrounded. Soft arms wrapped around me, hands patted my head, and laughter filled the room. My sisters—seven of them, all beautiful, all smiling at me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

I shrank back a little, feeling overwhelmed. I wasn't used to this. I wasn't used to being touched like this—gently, lovingly.

Mia, the one with the prettiest singing voice, lifted me into her arms before I could protest. "We're all going to have breakfast together today!" she said excitedly. "And after that, we have so many plans for you, little one!"

Plans?

Before I could ask, I was carried down the grand staircase. The mansion was even bigger than I had realized. Shiny floors, paintings bigger than me, huge windows that let in the bright morning sun. Everything looked like something from a fairy tale.

When we reached the dining room, my eyes went wide. The table was long, covered with every kind of food I could imagine. Pancakes with syrup, fluffy eggs, fresh fruit, pastries… my stomach growled even louder. I couldn't remember the last time I had seen so much food in one place.

Mama sat me beside her, and my sisters all took their places. Olivia, the actress, put a piece of pancake on my plate. "Eat as much as you want, baby brother."

I hesitated. At my uncle's house, if I took too much food, I would get in trouble. I lowered my gaze and reached carefully for a small piece, but before I could take a bite, Mama's voice stopped me.

"No, sweetheart," she said firmly but kindly. "Eat properly. No one here will stop you. You can have anything you want."

I looked up at her, then at my sisters. They were all watching me, their faces full of warmth and patience. No one was yelling. No one was glaring.

Slowly, I picked up my fork and took a bite.

It was the best thing I had ever tasted.

After breakfast, my sisters had their own plans for me.

"Today, we're going out!" Charlotte, the fashion designer, announced happily. "We need to get you new clothes!"

I blinked. "New clothes?"

She nodded excitedly. "Of course! Everything you have now is boring! You need to look like the little prince you are!"

I wasn't sure what to say. I had never picked out my own clothes before.

Mama smiled and ran her fingers through my hair. "You'll love it, my love. Let's go."

The car ride was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The seats were soft, and the windows were huge. My sisters chatted the entire time, talking about all the places they wanted to take me.

"After shopping, we should take him to the amusement park!" Mia suggested.

"No, let's take him to my movie set!" Olivia argued.

"My army base is more exciting," Isabella said with a smirk.

I listened, not knowing what to think. They really wanted to take me everywhere with them?

When we arrived at the shopping center, I stared in awe. It wasn't like any store I had ever seen before—it was a giant building with golden signs and people dressed in fancy clothes. The moment we walked in, people gasped and rushed over.

"Miss Charlotte! Miss Sophia! Miss Olivia! It's an honor!"

Everyone treated my sisters like queens. They bowed, smiled, and hurried to bring whatever my sisters wanted. But what surprised me the most was when they turned to me.

"And this must be your little brother," one of them said with a warm smile. "He's adorable!"

I blinked. No one had ever called me that before.

Charlotte crouched down next to me and grinned. "See, little one? Everyone adores you."

I didn't know what to say. I wasn't used to being adored. But as my sisters held my hands and led me into the store, something inside me felt… different.

Maybe, just maybe, this new life wasn't so bad after all.