I sat on my bed.

I placed my chin on my bent knees and looked at the pink phone, the white photo album, and the framed photo of me and my mother in kindergarten.

Heavy rain poured down on my city, making the atmosphere in my room quiet and cold.

"Why did Diego come to me?"

Diego and I were not blood relatives; our parents had separated, but he still considered me his stepsister and was even willing to pay for my college education.

I recalled the three videos on the phone.

"But it seems like Diego wasn't lying. The videos show him being close to my mom."

Diego was very kind in making my mother's wish come true.

I looked at my mother and Diego's father's wedding photo.

I didn't know who my biological father was.

I once asked my mother when I was in kindergarten because my friends were taken to school by their fathers, but my mother wouldn't answer. After that, I decided not to ask about my father anymore.

So far, my mother only told me about my stepfather, who was her first love, without mentioning his name.

"My mom smiled happily when she told me that she was happy to be able to marry her first love even though their marriage only lasted a few months."

However, my mother never told me that her first love already had a wife and a son when they married.

I had looked up Diego and his family on the internet. His parents had never divorced. There was not even any news that they were fighting and going to divorce.

I shook my head as a bad assumption about my mother crossed my mind.

"I was three years old when my mother married Diego's father. I don't remember anything."

Gilbert and Anna met me and my mother when we were looking for a rental house when we arrived in this city. I was three years old at the time.

Neither I nor my adoptive parents know how long my mother was married to Diego's father.

"Maybe Diego knows. I'll ask him."

Would Diego tell me about my past that I don't remember?

"But he's scary. I can't look him in the eye for too long."

I stared at the photo of my mother holding a birthday cake with a big smile. Diego's father stood to her left, and Diego stood to her right. Meanwhile, I stood in front of Diego and held his hand.

"I can't believe I was that close to him."

I looked at the photo closely. Diego now looked just like his father. They didn't smile, and their gazes were as sharp as eagles.

Everything that happened that night was like a dream.

It wasn't a dream. My hand hurt every time I pinched it.

For three days, every night, I daydreamed before going to bed, and the next morning, I went to my mother's grave before working at my adoptive parents' coffee shop.

I brought my mother's favorite blue tulips.

I crouched down and stared at her tombstone.

I told my mother about Diego, my adoptive parents, who encouraged me to accept Diego's offer and about me not making a decision yet.

"Who is my biological father? Why don't you want me to know about him? Will I be sad if I know about him?"

I wished my mother would appear in my dreams to answer my questions.

"Is it okay for me to trust Diego?"

My eyes filled with tears. If I accepted Diego's offer, I would stay in Boston. I wouldn't be able to visit my mother's grave every time I missed her.

"Good morning, Laura, Dala."

I was so shocked that I fell to the ground. "Why are you here?"

"Laura used to be my mother." Diego placed the bouquet of blue roses next to the blue tulips.

I glared as Diego crouched next to me, but my legs couldn't move in this situation.

Did he have the power to turn other people into statues, or was my body overreacting?

Diego stared at my mother's tombstone with a look I didn't understand the meaning of.

"How do you know where my mother's grave is?" I narrowed my eyes, trying to ignore the strange atmosphere surrounding us. "Have you known for a long time that my mother died?"

"I knew Laura died when I found out about you guys," he answered.

"Why are you looking for us?"

"My arm broke six months ago." Diego looked at his left arm. He was wearing a black suit.

"I suddenly remembered Laura. When I was sick, she made chicken soup with corn, carrots, and potatoes. No one could make soup as delicious as she did." Diego's voice shook, but his facial expression and gaze remained unchanged.

"My mom always made that soup when I was sick," I said with a smile. My mother patiently fed me, who had no appetite.

"How did you find me in six months?" I asked curiously.

Diego looked at me as if he was reading my mind. I swallowed and gripped the grass, holding back the sudden tremors.

"You and Laura didn't change your identities."

"Oh, that makes sense." I nodded.

"It only took me a month to find you," Diego said with a proud face.

"Then why didn't you come to me right away?"

"I came to you."

I searched my memory with my gaze fixed on him. I couldn't find him in my brain. "I, I've never seen you before."

"Because you don't just look at me." Diego looked annoyed at me.

I stared at him questioningly. It was rare for a grown man to look like Diego in this city.

His appearance and handsomeness were striking. I should have noticed Diego if he was around me.

"When did you meet me? Tell me." I demanded his answer.

Silence enveloped us. He stared at me deeply. It was so strange, I felt hot as the gentle breeze hit us.

Diego stood up, and I spontaneously stood up, too. I took a step back to create some distance between me and him.

"Have you made your decision? Today is the third day. I came to hear your answer." Diego broke the silence just to change the subject.

"You didn't answer my question."

"That's not important." Diego waved his hand. "Now what's important is will you allow me to pay for your college and will you live with me in Boston, Dala?"

I gasped in surprise.

Diego called me that again. It felt strange and a little uncomfortable, but it made me unable to deny that Diego used to be my step-brother.

Diego's hazel eyes hypnotized me. I tried my best to avert my eyes from him.

I clenched my fists and stared at my mother's tombstone sadly.

Were you okay if I didn't visit you every month, mom?

The three videos and dozens of photos popped into my head. I wondered if Diego was still the same as before, the older brother who loved me as his little sister.

Then Anna and Gilbert's words encouraging me to accept Diego's kindness rang in my ears.

My gaze returned to Diego.

God, I hope I didn't make the wrong decision.

"Thank you so much for your kindness," I said, my fists clenched tightly. It wasn't easy to say this. "I accept your offer. When are we going to Boston?"

"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning," Diego replied.

Diego's gaze was still as sharp as an eagle, but I felt something change in his eyes. Not tenderness, but perhaps relief?

That morning, I had breakfast with Anna and Gilbert. I didn't know when we would eat together again.

"Are you sure you've brought everything you need? Don't leave anything behind." Anna stared at the medium-sized white suitcase.

"We checked that suitcase twenty minutes ago, Anna." I reminded Anna.

"I've brought everything I need, including this Hello Kitty. I can't sleep without it." I grinned widely as I took the doll out of my backpack and hugged it tightly.

The doll was a gift from my mother when I was 7. At least she celebrated my birthday with a cake she made before she died. The doll would always be by my side until I died.

I put the doll back into my backpack, worried I would leave it behind.

"Take care of yourself, Daniella. Don't be afraid of anyone, and always do good as much as possible." Gilbert said, smiling, his eyes showing sadness.

"It will always be in my memory." I smiled widely with a warm heart.

"Daniella!"

I smiled brightly and ran out of the house.

I hugged Gabriella and Clara for a long time because we didn't know when to see each other again.

"If you get a boyfriend, tell us!" Clara said, teasing me.

"Why do you hope so much that I have a boyfriend?" I snorted.

"We should video call often!" Gabriella gripped my hand as if she didn't want us to be separated.

"Of course!" I nodded.

A black car entered my yard. Diego and Justin got out of their car. They dressed in formal outfits. The difference was that Diego wore sunglasses, whereas Justin wore white eyeglasses.

My heart rate increased every time Diego took a step closer to me. Nervousness hit me after I realized that he was picking me up to live with him.

"Are you ready, Daniella?" Diego stood two steps in front of me without taking off his glasses.

I didn't see his hazel eyes, which always stared sharply, but he had an intimidating aura.

"Yes, I'm ready." I nodded.

"Where's your suitcase?" Diego asked.

"Oh, wait a minute." I entered the house and found Anna and Gilbert holding hands in the living room. Trying to be strong, I said, "Diego has come to pick me up."

They nodded and escorted me to the porch. Gilbert handed my suitcase to Justin. Justin hurriedly put the white suitcase in the garage.

I hugged them.

I felt very emotional, and my eyes were watery, but I was still able to control my tears.

Anna turned her face away from me when she could no longer hold back her tears.

I waved my hand and looked at them to ensure they were all stored in my brain before I got into the black car.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out.

I opened my eyes when I felt calm.

I didn't let my head turn back as the car left my house.

I looked to my right, surprised to find Diego sitting beside me.

I leaned back stiffly. The car was luxurious, and the seats were soft, but I felt uncomfortable.

I had never sat in a car with strangers before.

I stared out the window to calm my pounding heart.

We arrived at the airport. I was getting nervous and excited. It was my first time on a plane!

I frowned as two tall, muscular men in tight black shirts and sunglasses approached us.

"They're my bodyguards," Diego told me. "They're Axton and Oscar."

"Hi, I'm Daniella." I smiled at them. They just nodded. They were as scary as their boss.

"Oh, you haven't introduced me to your driver yet." I looked back; a man in a gray shirt stood beside Justin.

"He's Brian," Diego said.

"Hi, Daniella." Brian smiled at me.

He seemed as friendly as Justin. "Hi, Brian."

After a brief introduction, we went through a security check.

I wondered as I realized we were going down a different path than the rest of the crowd.

Where were we really going?

I was astonished as we went up the stairs to Diego's white private jet one by one.

I admired the private jet's lavish interior.

I had to pinch my hand to convince myself I wasn't dreaming.

I sat near the window. The chair was as soft as a sofa.

My smile disappeared, replaced by a confused face. Diego chose to sit in front of me despite the many empty seats.

I watched closely as the flight attendant demonstrated the safety procedures.

I held the armrest tightly as the plane took off and prayed that we would arrive safely at our destination.

I wanted to explore the private jet so much, but then I realized I was the only woman on the plane.

Suddenly, fear crept into my mind. What if Diego was a bad guy?

I was overthinking.

I read a novel on my phone or looked out the window the entire way.

I glanced at Diego a few times with an uncomfortable feeling.

Diego was staring at the laptop on the coffee table, but I felt he was watching me.

I held my breath unconsciously when our eyes met.

I lowered my head with my heart beating strangely. Diego didn't take his eyes off me as if he wanted me to catch him red-handed.

Diego made me not want to look anywhere else but my phone.

An hour later, Diego asked me out for lunch.

The dining room had eight seats. I chose a seat by the window, away from Justin, Brian, Axton, and Oscar, but unexpectedly, Diego sat across from me.

The delicious food lowered my suspicions and my guard against Diego. I ate a lot, trying not to be distracted by Diego's stares.

"Where do you want to go to college?"

My heart jumped, not expecting him to talk to me after eating.

"I've been looking into it, but I haven't decided where I want to go to college. But I do know I don't want to go to Harvard."

Diego nodded. "What do you want to major in?"

"I want to major in business," I replied.

"Why did you choose business?"

"I want to be like you," I replied.

"What do you mean you want to be like me?" Diego raised an eyebrow as he poured himself a glass of wine and stared straight at me.

"I don't know what business I want to do, but I want to be an entrepreneur. I want to have a lot of money."

"Good motivation," Diego said. "What do you know about business?"

"I've worked at my adoptive parents' coffee shop since I was little. It's not easy to retain and attract customers. We must always innovate and take risks so we don't lose out to other coffee shops," I said excitedly.

"I like the concept of your adoptive parents' coffee shop." Diego nodded twice. "Cold milk coffee is my favorite."

My eyes expanded. The next second, I stared at him with curiosity. "Have you ever been to my adoptive parents' coffee shop?"

Diego stared at me for a long time, allowing the stillness to settle between us, and I got even more intrigued. "We're about to land."

Why did he ignore my question?

After Diego said that, the pilot announced that the private jet was about to land.

"How many hours is our flight?" I asked him.

"Six hours."

I looked down sadly. For six hours, I just sat in my chair and went to the dining room.

We got off the private jet. I hoped someday I could ride it again.

A white car picked us up. I sat next to Diego.

I watched the street. Boston wasn't much different than Portland.

The white car pulled into a block. I admired all the houses we passed. They looked like palaces.

My heart stopped when the white car stopped in front of a magnificent, classic-style mansion like the previous houses.

I exited the car and stared at the white house in disbelief. I felt like I had entered a fairy tale.

"I'll show you your room, Dala."

His deep voice penetrated my consciousness; all the hairs on my neck stood up as I felt his warm breath touch my ear, and that peculiar feeling returned to my chest every time he called me that.

Why was he standing behind me?

I took a step before turning to face him. His crooked smile made my back shiver as if a cold wind had suddenly blown in the middle of summer.

Everything in the mansion looked expensive, making me afraid to touch it.

I felt awkward walking on the marble floor.

The crystal chandelier in the spacious living room was beautiful.

I pinched my cheeks secretly. I wasn't dreaming.

Diego and I climbed the stairs to my room.

Who would have believed a girl like me could fly on a private jet and live in a lavish mansion?

I really got lucky.

"This is my office. Don't come in without knocking," Diego said, pointing to a dark brown mahogany door.

"Okay." I nodded with a confused face. I had no reason to enter his office.

We stopped in front of a room with a light brown mahogany door.

"This is your room." Diego opened the door for me and invited me in.

I strolled, my heart beating very fast.

My eyes couldn't blink. My room was so beautiful and elegant!

If I hadn't remembered Diego was behind me, I would have screamed and jumped up and down like a kangaroo.

"Do you like your room?"

Diego's voice jolted me out of my happiness. I wasn't used to his voice.

"Just tell me what you don't like. I'll throw it out and replace it with something you like." Diego was still standing in the doorway.

He said that as if money wasn't something that was that important to him.

"I like my room," I said firmly.

"Thank you so much for giving me this room." I smiled broadly and sincerely at him.

"I promise to keep my room clean and take good care of the things here," I said earnestly.

I blinked. I wasn't sure, but I thought I saw Diego smile for a second.

"Come to the dining room for dinner," Diego said.

"Okay." I nodded.

"My room is on your right," Diego said before closing the door.

I reflexively raced to the door and turned the handle. The door was unlocked.

I gave a sigh of relief. I had been overly paranoid.

"Miss Harris."

I was surprised when an old man with white hair wearing a black butler's outfit stood in front of me before the door closed.

"What's wrong?"

"Here's your suitcase." He handed me my white suitcase.

"Oh, my, I forgot about it." I took it quickly, feeling strange getting help from someone else. "Thank you very much, sir–"

"I'm Ronald." Ronald smiled politely at me. "Tell me anything you need. I'm always in the kitchen."

"Okay, Ronald." I nodded. "Just call me Daniella."

"Okay, Daniella." Ronald nodded. "Excuse me."

I never had a maid. I was used to doing everything by myself. I didn't think I would ever ask Ronald for help.

I put my clothes in the walk-in closet. There were still many empty closets. I thought I would only have a closet with two doors.

The walk-in closet would still have space if I brought all my clothes.

I walked around my room. I felt like I was in a five-star hotel.

"Do I really live here without having to pay rent?"

I lay down to feel the softness and comfort of the queen-sized bed.

I took out my phone. I got a lot of messages and calls from Anna, Gilbert, Gabriella, and Clara.

I told Anna, Gilbert, and Gabriella about Diego's luxurious private jet and his mansion, which looked like a castle in a fairy tale.

[You didn't tell me you had a handsome, dashing stepbrother.] It was a message from Clara. She asked me a different question.

[I already told you I didn't know I had a stepbrother, didn't I?] I replied to Clara's message.

I smiled as I looked at the photo frame of me and my mother that I had placed on the nightstand.

"Mom, I have a new life now. I hope you are not disappointed in me for leaving Anna and Albert, who have been very good to us. Don't worry, I will not forget them."

My mother never appeared in my dreams. Those photos and videos would help me not to forget my mother.

"Daniella, it's time for dinner."

"Yes. I am coming." I walked quickly to the door, surprised to find Ronald waiting for me. I followed him because I didn't know where the dining room was.

I was stunned when I arrived at the dining room. A beautiful chandelier and a long dining table with lots of food.

I held my breath when I made eye contact with Diego. He was already sitting there.

I sat across from him because, while I felt uncomfortable with his stare, it would be impolite to sit at the head of the table.

We ate dinner in silence. No one spoke. I was grateful to my mother for teaching me table manners before she died.

I glanced toward the kitchen, and my eyes widened when I saw a male chef standing in front of the stove. No wonder the food was delicious and beautiful.

"Could I have a few minutes of your time, please?" I asked Diego after we finished eating and before he left the dining room.

"Yes. Go ahead." Diego focused his attention on me, making me nervous and hesitant momentarily.

"Do you live here? I saw online that your family and businesses are in New York."

"This is one of my homes. I come here when I want to get away from New York."

I rounded my mouth and nodded. "Will I meet your family? Maybe your father?"

"No." Diego shook his head, leaning back in his chair and clenching his jaw. "I have a bad relationship with them."

"So they don't know about me being here?"

Diego nodded.

I felt happy and surprised simultaneously, but at least I was relieved that I wouldn't have to see them.

"I want to work part-time."

"For what?"

"Of course, to earn money."

"I can give you whatever money you want."

"I want-" My eyes widened as Diego handed me a credit card.

Did he think I would accept everything he gave me?

"Buy whatever you want."

"I can't." I shook my head. "You paid for my college. I live in your mansion, and I get delicious food."

I prefer earning my own money, so I didn't want to owe him too much.

"Just keep that card. You might need it." Diego said coldly on his face.

I snorted. "I'll just keep it in my wallet," I said in annoyance.

"Are you done talking?" Diego asked.

"So, will you let me work part-time?" I begged him.

"I don't know what I will do until college starts," I said in a bored tone.

"Just work in one place," Diego replied.

"Okay, thanks." I was so happy.

Then I looked at him seriously because I wanted to ask him something sensitive, and I didn't know if this was the right time.

"Do you know who my biological father is? My mom never told me." I said gloomily.

"If she didn't tell you, then she didn't want you to know," Diego said.

"Do you know?"

"No." Diego shook his head.

"Then do you know why my mom and your dad divorced?" I asked, my heart racing as I waited for his answer.

"They didn't."

My heart stopped beating for a few seconds. It couldn't be. All my life, all I knew was that my mother and his father were divorced.

"Then why did my mom take me with her to Portland?"

Diego looked at me like he was arguing with himself, and then his phone rang.

"I have to take this call." Diego stood up. "You better focus on yourself."

I watched Diego leave with curiosity growing in my chest. If my mom and his dad didn't get divorced, then what really happened?