The house had been standing for ages. Its walls were made of dark brick and wood, weathered by time. The whole place was set up as a courtyard, with a giant sycamore tree stretching its branches in one corner and an old well beside it.
Louisa hung up the phone, her face growing tense. Why would Dad suddenly mention the old family house, or even the secret room? She shot a suspicious look at Wiona. Was there still some sort of tracker on her? That didn’t really make sense. Even if there was, how would Wiona give her location to Dad? She’d need a phone for that. Louisa had never been exposed to anything more high-tech, so she never considered there might be an elaborate network watching Wiona. To her, it just seemed like Dad was reminiscing. She had no idea she’d already been exposed.
“Come inside.” Louisa pushed open the main hall doors. Straight ahead, a wall was covered with old family portraits, black and white, each one staring out with blank, cold eyes. Wiona flinched. The whole room was heavy with the smell of rot and dust. It made her stomach turn. She yanked her mask up over her nose, only to catch Louisa rolling her eyes.
“These are your family too, you know. What’s with the attitude?”
She pointed them out, one by one. “That’s my great-grandma. That’s my great-grandpa. My grandpa. My uncle, his wife…”
She rattled off the names, her voice steady.
Wiona stayed where she was, showing no reaction. Louisa suddenly let out an ear-piercing yell.
“Why are you just standing there?”
“I told you, these are the Fergusons, our family. If you’re Dad’s daughter, shouldn’t you pay your respects?”
“Get down on your knees. Right now.”
Wiona’s face was unreadable. “You want me to officially join the family?”
“Louisa, are you sure about that? Because if I kneel, you’re not Dad’s only daughter anymore.”
Louisa’s chest heaved, but her anger slowly faded. She glared at Wiona. “Fine. You’re right. You don’t deserve to be part of the Fergusons.”
“Come here.” Her voice was sharp, then she spun around and marched deeper into the house.
Wiona thought to herself, Louisa really is losing it. Not only was she unpredictable, but she seemed obsessed with being the only real daughter. If Wiona wasn’t careful, she could easily set Louisa off. Especially since Louisa was still holding a dangerous weapon.


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