Chapter Ten: Drowsy Beginnings and Tiny Promises

Xenia awoke to the faint hum that slipped in through her open window — the morning's gentle murmur, like a faded melody played by the wind upon the sleepy edges of glass, Light filtered through the white curtains in silver fingers, caressing the aged wooden furniture with hushed tenderness.

A full month had passed since she collapsed. A month heavy as an endless dream, in which she stumbled through shades of unconsciousness, wrestling with the shadow of that terrible nightmare — the one that seized her by night and held her hostage by day.

All that time, she had clung to something — something precious, She searched for her name as a drowning soul searches for a final breath, And today, she awoke whispering it to herself, as if reclaiming a relic long lost:

" Maria…"

She had seen him in her last dream... No — not just seen, but lived within it, A whole life, a reel of memories soaked in warmth and cold, pain and comfort, Maria — that had been her true name, or perhaps the first name she ever bore before she became Xenia.

Since waking, she'd been repeating the name like a sacred chant, afraid it would slip into oblivion again, She probed her memory the way one touches a wound to see if it still aches, Had she truly merged with Xenia? Had they become one body, two souls? Yet no tangible proof remained... even the bruises that used to mark her skin had faded entirely, as if that silent war had finally come to rest.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already late.

Her long dream had robbed her of the chance to visit the library as she had planned, Still, she felt no disappointment — her day remained untouched, waiting to be shaped.

She rose quietly, walking with soft, deliberate steps toward the kitchen, as though not to wake the memories lingering in the corners. The faint scent of lemon met her, and a dish towel hung lazily from the oven handle.

" Good morning~ "

She murmured, voice sleepy yet warm.

Callista was there, tucked into a kitchen corner, wiping down shelves with a rhythm oddly mature for her age, She turned at once to face her mother, her smile reaching her eyes before it touched her lips.

" Good morning, Mama... How are you feeling today? "

Xenia let out a soft chuckle — that kind of laugh tinged with disbelief, as though she still hadn't gotten used to Callista speaking like a miniature mother.

" Hah? It's been a whole month since I got sick and you're still asking? I'm fine, really, I am. But I should be asking you... aren't you working too hard for someone your age? "

Callista shrugged, smiling broadly as if the answer were scripted in her bones.

" I'm used to it... Besides, I feel good when I'm doing something "

Then, in a sudden rush of affection, Xenia pulled her into a fierce hug, as though trying to plant some unspoken prayer deep inside her child.

" Oh, you're so mature… It's fine to help, but I forbid you from exhausting yourself, You're still little, You and Agony should go out and play "

She paused for a beat, then added, still holding Callista from behind, her chin resting gently on the girl's shoulder:

" I made apple pie yesterday — one for us to eat after our nap, and one for the neighbors, I'm thinking of introducing myself… I heard they've got kids around your age, so I figured I'd use that to help you bond "

Callista replied in a neutral tone,

" But we don't have neighbors that close to us, Their house is about three hundred steps away "

Xenia groaned, raising her brows, and began planting her opinions like seeds in her daughter's small head.

" That's your father's fault! He bought cheap land far from everyone! Miserable cheapskate, Don't you dare end up like him! They say girls attract men like their fathers, so... just pretend he's dead, If he gets angry, don't be sad, If he tries to hurt your feelings, picture a fly landing on your face — not even worth swatting, Don't you ever be sad because of him, You have to love yourself. Believe in yourself, And trust no one — especially men, Not saying they're all bad, but always watch what they do. If you feel the slightest discomfort — even for a second — trust your gut and walk away "

Callista raised her eyebrows and giggled lightly.

" Oh Mama, not the lectures again... I get it, I get it… I'll be careful "

They cleaned the kitchen together for a while. As Callista wiped the table, she asked:

" Who do we give the apple pie to? Mrs. Jeffer or Mrs. Elorick? "

Xenia hesitated, suddenly flustered.

" Do either of them have kids? "

" Mrs. Jeffer has two boy, Mrs. Elorick has five — three girls and two boys, One's a baby "

" Whose house is closer? "

" They're about the same "

Xenia thought for a moment, then said:

" Let's give it to Mrs. Elorick. I think a house full of kids brings more joy, I want you and Agony to take it over there in three hours. Also… I want you to become friends with her daughters! Stop pretending you're all grown up! "

Callista puffed out her cheeks and pouted with childish defiance.

" Oooh~ "

At that moment, Agony stepped inside, His steps spoke of a long day spent outdoors, He lifted his head, and his eyes met Xenia's — who opened her arms like someone welcoming a war hero home.

" Welcome back! How was work today? Did you make anything? "

He answered while taking off his shoes,

" Not bad, I made seventy Ru... By the way, how are you feeling? Did you eat? "

She looked at him for a moment, then smiled quietly to herself.

' He really does seem like my son when he talks like that… Don't worry, Xenia — I'll take good care of him for you '

Then she said gently,

" I'm alright, really "

She handed him a glass of water and sat down beside him.

" Shoeshining is hard work, I know... but try choosing places where the fancy types go — outside company buildings or in upscale markets... And by the way... there's something I've been thinking about, I want your opinion "

He looked up at her.

" What is it? "

" I'm thinking of getting a job... to earn money "

His eyes widened in disbelief, and he blurted out,

" What? Why would you work? I'll work and earn plenty of money! "

Xenia chuckled softly, speaking more to his heart than his mind.

" I want you to focus on school. One day, I want you to enter a proper academy, I'll start working now and save up for you, I'm also thinking about buying a plot of land — something I can own, If Edgar suddenly decides to kick us out, we'll have somewhere to go... Of course, I don't want him to know about any of this "

Agony's face flushed red, and he raised his voice.

" Mom! Why do you still think my father would throw you out? And I don't want to study! I don't have time for that! "

" No! "

she cut him off, her voice sharp but not unkind.

" You have to study — to grow up into someone decent, I told Callista the same "

" But you didn't tell me… Why do you even think Dad would throw you out? "

She fell silent for a moment, then answered with a calm that felt like nightfall.

" Your father's emotions are unstable, You can't trust him, Every day there's a new mistress! Do you really want your mother to spend her whole life under his mercy? I don't think so! I just want us to have a small guarantee — something to keep us together, even if he tries to split us apart... I want you both to live happy, That's all "

" And how will you find a job? "

" I'll look for morning work — something I can finish early, so I can come home and play with you two after the sun rises high, But... this has to stay secret, Promise me "

She held out her pinky and touched his, linking them in a vow that could never be broken...