Thunderous laughter echoed inside her head. It's as if her mind had decided to mock her on its own. A drag of breath wasn't enough to calm her, unlike before, so she fidgeted like a kidnapped victim at the back of their car. Her mother and the man who picked them up at the airport were too loud, with joyous words thrown about every few seconds. Thoughts of happiness and new beginnings. Those were the things Albert whispered to her mom.

What about her? What happiness awaited her? She mused.

The drive didn't take long. But perhaps, she was too ensconced in her own thoughts that she had failed to realize how long the drive truly took. It didn't matter, nothing mattered.

The house Albert led them to was far too big for three people. To others, the grandeur was perhaps appealing, but not for Cassandra. She'd rather have lived inside a rundown cabin, in a desolate town. Somewhere...anywhere...

"Honey, the house is extraordinary. I thought you lied when you said you purchased it for us."

"Of course, you'd love it. You're too much of a lover for material things not to be." The sardonic way Cassandra said those words must have shocked her so-called new father, because he raised an eyebrow at her, frowned then shifted his gaze to her mother, who at that time had already formed a scowl on her face.

She expected a retort, but instead, her mother begrudgingly took her by the arm and led her toward the house. Albert followed them without a word-their suitcases held firmly in both his hands.

Once inside, her mother released her arm and the woman was immediately lost amongst the beautiful furniture inside. Cassandra was left to stand in the middle of what she deemed to be the living room. The floor was covered with a grey carpet. The walls were painted cream that had small pink flowers on them. There was a chandelier above her, with what appeared like fake crystals that dangled from it. It was large enough to illuminate every nook of the living room. But even its brightness wasn't enough to give luminance to her mood.

"Albert, I can't believe this. Thank you so much." She heard her mother flirt.

Her tone was pitched too high, it felt like the woman had already forgotten that she had left her to stand alone again. The woman... The woman was too much for her.

"Cassandra, come here honey. Look at the kitchen. I heard from my sister that you loved to cook!" Her mother yelled.

Smoldering, too excited, too happy, too noisy. Her mother felt like fire. She was more than Cassandra could ever handle. Too bright, too...

Her mind immediately lost what coiled inside it, because her eyes caught sight of something. She veered to her left and stood by the window. There, lay a lake. It looked perpetual, seemingly enchanting her with a promise of a silent sanctuary.

"I also heard you loved lakes. Albert and I ensured that you'd have one."

She must say thank you, Cassandra thought to herself. But she couldn't. There were too many wounds within her heart, they were like rifts, impossible to connect, make whole and heal with just a simple gesture. For her mother to surmise that a garden and a simple return would make her falter, was stupid. The woman knew nothing of her. Her mother was a stranger who held no right to her life, love, and mind whatsoever.

"Don't you like it?" Her stepfather asked.

The male voice was as foreign to her as mother's. Why... why couldn't have faith given her a simpler life. A more peaceful heart and a mind that wasn't constantly plagued by a battle cry.

"You have your own room too."

Of course, I would, Cassandra thought silently. It would have been pointless to have had such a large house if she needed to share a room with them.

Her musing was disrupted when a hand landed on her shoulder, followed by a kiss on the back of her head. "I know I have a lot to make up to. But don't worry, there'd be nothing that I wouldn't for you," her mother cooed.

Promises, Cassandra thought in silence-they were made to be broken. When they shatter, it would be up to her to fend herself from the shards of its remains.

"Rina honey, why don't you bring Cassandra up to her room. It's the first door on the right side of the corridor. I'll prepare something for us to eat while you're at it." Albert suggested.

Cassandra astutely eyed the man as her mother threw him a smile. Albert, should she start calling him dad now? She supposed it was only normal. She didn't have to like it. She only needed to live with it.

"C'mon Cassie, I'm certain you will love your room. Albert is a designer you know." Her mother squealed excitedly.

With brooding and pensive shoulders she bobbed her head and followed her mother up the stairs. She didn't have to like it. She didn't have to like it. Over and over she fiddled with those words inside her head as she trudged every plank of the wooden staircase.

Her mother soon stopped in front of the first door to her left, just as Albert said. She turned the knob and a gasp escaped her mouth. Her mother was between her and the door, so she couldn't make out what it was that shocked her so.

Cassandra didn't want to see, but curiosity got the best of her. Albeit her pride resented such as act, she moved an inch to her left and took a peek at the room.

"This couldn't be more you."

Those words from her mom were perhaps the first set of words that she wouldn't deny had made her feel as if the woman knew her. Because her mother was right. The room was painted cream and purple. There wasn't much furniture inside, there was a single bed, a drawer, a small sofa, and a study table, all of which were made of mahogany and decorated with a flower-shaped engraving. There were two sets of windows, one on the north and one on the east, both draped with sheer, light purple curtains. Her bed was positioned to the west of the room, just as she liked it.

"Get yourself settled, and come down once you're ready."

Cassandra didn't reply, she entered her room and closed the door behind her. She shouldn't feel happy. Everything in this world is temporary. Her mother and Albert were nothing more than a false sense of security. She must deny them. She must protect herself.

***

Rina slowly descended the stairs. She knew how much her daughter hated her. She couldn't blame her though. It was her fault. She left Cassandra in the care of her sister because the people she owed money to were haunting her. She didn't want her daughter caught in her turbulent world. She did ask Marla- her sister, not to leave the house she had purchased for them. It took a great deal for her to have had the ability to buy that house. She trusted her sister, but when the time came for her to return, she found the house sold to someone else.

She went from one place to another. She searched as hard as she could but failure mocked her effort. The years moved slowly and were course as the invisible sand that clogged the veins of her heart. It was painful and she almost gave up on life. Luckily, she met Albert. He brought her back to life, fueled her hope to find her daughter, and by God's grace, she finally found her. But she couldn't help but question what words her sister used to describe her to Cassandra. Her daughter's hatred of her seemed to run deep to her core. Was she painted as the devil?

"Lost in thoughts?"

Rina gave a subtle smile when Albert appeared before her and handed her a plate of mashed potatoes with bread. She coiled her free arm around his waist and whispered, "My thoughts had always been deep and yeah, lost."

"You've got her now Rina. What is there to worry or think about?"

"She loathes me."

"No Rina, she doesn't know you. Things like this take time. Besides, I'm here with you. "

Those words from Albert managed to thaw the pain inside her. If only Cassandra would have the opportunity to learn the truth, or perhaps allow her to tell the truth, things would work out for the better. She continued to plague her head with dreamy thoughts. But not even those could deter what destiny laid out for her and her child. Because somewhere near their home, a vehicle had parked and in it was something unimaginable. Something none of them was prepared to face.