Episode 5 – A House Full of Secrets
The chandelier over the dining table cast a golden glow as dishes clinked softly. For the first time in years, Elira was seated at the family table instead of the kitchen corner. Her posture was calm, but her presence unsettled everyone.
Albert tried to smile, still surprised by her sudden confidence. Neelm's knuckles turned white around her fork. Alessia shifted uneasily in her chair, eyes darting between her parents and her stepsister.
Elira spoke in a soft, steady tone, twirling pasta around her fork.
"Papa, don't you think Jon needs a proper governess? A child his age should be with a tutor, not left for his sister to manage."
Albert hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"You're… right. I'll arrange something."
Across the table Neelm's teeth ground together. Alessia's eyes widened in shock — since when did this weak girl have the courage to speak like that?
Elira smiled sweetly at her stepmother.
"From now on, I'll also try to be a proper daughter. No more mistakes, no more shadows."
Her tone sounded innocent, but Neelm felt the sting behind every word.
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Neelm and Alessia
Later, behind the closed door of Neelm's room, porcelain lay shattered on the carpet. Neelm's rage boiled over as she threw yet another cup against the wall.
"Mama, what's happening?" Alessia gripped her hair with both hands. "Why is that cursed girl suddenly important? How could she sit with us? How could she demand a room?"
Neelm glared at her daughter, chest heaving.
"I don't know where she found her tongue. Yesterday she endured everything. Today she roars like a lioness."
Alessia stared, still trembling. "Papa even called her 'my daughter'. I've never heard him say that before."
Neelm pressed her palms to her temples. "Albert is changing. He wants to see how far she'll go to please him. I have to turn him back against her, but until then you will not act foolishly, do you understand? Elira is no longer the weak girl who did all your chores. Albert has forbidden her from housework. If we make one wrong move now, we'll lose everything."
Alessia nodded slowly. "Fine. But tell me what to do."
"Go study," Neelm snapped. "And tell the servant to bring me tea."
---
Elira's New Room
Upstairs, Elira stood alone before a mirror in her newly prepared room. The servants had left after setting out her things.
"Baby, this is your room now. Everything you need is here," one had said.
Elira had only shaken her head. "It's fine. I'll call you if I need anything."
Now she studied her reflection, her fingers brushing the faint scars on her wrist.
"You went through so much," she whispered to the girl in the glass. "I will find out who caused your death. I don't believe it was suicide."
A strange heat pulsed beneath her skin — the power she had begun to feel since waking in this body.
"Your father doesn't know about this… even you didn't," she murmured. "But with your strength, I'll recover faster. And I'll finish what you started."
---
School – The Return
The next morning the school hallway buzzed with whispers. Students had assumed Elira would never return after the hospital scandal. Yet here she was, walking calmly past their stares.
"Hey, Elira…" Kim Hyun-jin's voice was soft, almost guilty. He glanced nervously around before speaking. "How are you now? I'm sorry I couldn't visit you at the hospital."
Inside, Neesha — the real soul within Elira — studied him. So this is Kim Hyun-jin… he looks cute, even handsome. But why is he acting afraid?
He continued, lowering his voice. "We're not exactly close, but you always protected me from the bullies. Because of me, you became their target." His face was full of shame.
Elira smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'm fine now."
She watched him more closely, her thoughts dark. If he took off those glasses, he'd be perfect. Interesting…
A sudden voice cut through the hallway.
"Well, look who showed up!"
Three girls and two boys swaggered toward them — the same group who had always tormented her. Kim Hyun-jin stiffened, his hand tightening on his bag. Elira tilted her head, her eyes glinting.
For a moment the air between them felt charged, like the pause before a storm.
This time, she would not be the victim