Chapter 3: New Friend

Five days—in just five days, so many things can change.

She was making her way downstairs. Her new room was near the servants' quarters, far away from the rest of the family.

Even if her memories of the past were not particularly vivid, she could still recall certain details. Like the blue vases, her mother used to decorate the corner table near the stairs or the handcrafted paintings on the walls that her mother bought from those struggling artists to support their passion.

Everything had now been replaced or removed. In contrast to the warm, welcoming atmosphere from before, the entire area now has a particular darker vibe to it.

The new style that replaced the previous ones was more to her stepmother's taste. The oddly shaped vases, the paintings of knights and warriors engaged in battle, the carpets, and the wallpapers were all replaced with dark shades. Large chandeliers made of the shiniest stones were used to decorate the ceilings. They all looked expensive.

This new environment looked more fitting for the new family, but it still hurts her a bit. It's as if they don't even care about the opinion of the daughter of the dead person. Whether she would like the items removed or not.

Moreover, it seemed like all of this was her stepmother's decision and she must be the one who paid for all of these new items.

Her stepmother was one of the wealthiest people. She inherited her father's thriving hotel business and money as the sole heir. That was one of the main reasons for her marriage to Layla's father.

In Layla's previous life, this woman gave her hell, making every day difficult for her to survive. As Layla used to be docile in her previous life, her stepmother would not only bully her but also blame her for anything that went wrong. After seeing Layla's diminishing position in the family, even the household staff began to treat her badly. But her stepmother's direct attack ceased and instead turned more passive after her father began to pay a little more attention to her.

This woman also used Layla to help her son succeed. She worked tirelessly, day and night just for her stepbrother to take all of her hard-earned accomplishments and glory. All the while, she was under the illusion that her stepmother was finally showing her affection.

But Layla can't just get rid of her like that. If her stepmother didn't like someone or had any suspicions about them, she would immediately get rid of that person regardless of who they were. Layla recalled how her stepmother murdered her own cousin's sister to get the land that had been left to her after her husband's passing.

Compared to her father and stepbrother, this woman posed a bigger threat.

As she walked past, she observed that none of the maids were making any eye contact with her, nor were they greeting her as they should. It was already that time, she thought to herself. In her previous life, Layla believed it was because of something she did to offend them—that the reason all those servants treated her badly was all fault. But now she knows the real reason.

Her feet unintentionally led her outside, away from the unpleasant surroundings. Now where should she go? She certainly doesn't want to go back.

Going to the garden seemed like a bad idea right now, so the stable seemed like a better option. As Elijah used to spend a lot of time in the garden before her father sent him to boarding school in her previous life,

Elijah performed fairly well in school, as she remembered. She recalled that in the past, he had even prevented his mother's company from going bankrupt that too without Layla's assistance. It's unfortunate that he was a coward and a jealous person in her past life.

In this timeline, the garden was where they first met, or more specifically, where they first saw each other. And it wasn't a good one. She could tell from the look in his eyes that he already hate her, but she wasn't sure why. It's a bit unfair that he already hates her even though she hasn't done anything to him yet.

She did want a different outcome in this life, and if she could make a friendship with Elijah, it would be beneficial. But with her soiled mood, she doesn't want to meet him yet; perhaps some other time.

With the gardens off limits, the only place now was Stable. Although Stable was quite a distance from the main house, it looked like the best option at the time. All of her family members—not even the servants—will never enter that place. Only those who were punished or the stable boy will be present there, so she won't be disturbed by anyone.

She made her way along the path that went to the stable. The air outside was incredibly fresh. It was so lovely to look at the luscious green grass and the clear blue sky. The wind tousled her hair.

Her chest felt heavy in the midst of all this beauty. The warmth of the sun and the free-flowing summer breeze signaled to her subconscious that she was free, free from the small, freezing cell she had been abandoned to be forgotten. Her life, she can build it once again the way she wants to this time.

She finally caught sight of the outline of the stable after about seven minutes of strolling. Finally, the thought of having some alone time, at last, caused her lips to curl up into a smile.

She was about to go in when she heard someone else's agitated voice and knew she wouldn't get her alone time anymore. She was about to turn around and leave when she heard a very familiar voice.

"Damn, this is bullsh*t!" the feminine voice echoed from the inside. "Who the hell cleans all this shit all by themselves? This family's crazy."

When Layla opened the door, she was greeted by a very familiar face.

"Huh? What are you doing here, lady? -"

"Henni?". Layla couldn't believe her eyes. She rushed up to the individual and gave her a hard hug.

The individual on the other hand was confused. Unsure of what to do but still returned Layla's hug while giving her head a gentle pat.

"I'm here, Layla, so you don't have to cry any longer."

Maybe the guilt and betrayal made Layla act out like that. After Henni died in her previous life, Layla realized what she had lost: a loyal and loving friend. In her cell, she regretted losing Henni and Jane the most.

Jane and Henni were the only ones who stood by her side till the end. But her naive past self failed to see their loyalty and only listened to the enemy's honeyed words.

Henni repeatedly warned Layla that her family was taking advantage of her, but she didn't pay her any attention. When Henni revealed one of her stepmother's schemes in public, Layla even gave the order to have her executed. Henni had proof of the crime, but Layla still chose not to believe her. She continued to accuse Layla's entire family of using her all the way to the end.

After both Jane and Henni died, no one was there to intervene or to prevent her family from exploiting her, and so they did. While speaking in her ear with sugar-coated phrases.

Henni peered down at her with worried eyes. Cupping the girl's cheeks she then wiped Layla's tears.

"Is everything alright, Layla?"

"Hm. I just had a nightmare," Layla snuffled. Henni flashed the girl who was crying a bright smile and gave her another firm hug. She gently patted Layla's head once again, and then once she felt the girl in her arms quite down completely, she broke the hug.

Layla nodded her head as to say she was fine now. The girl's cheeks and nose were red, and her eyes were puffy. The scene was so funny that it made Henni laugh. She then pinched Layla's cheeks.

"You look like a tomato. I have to tell Jane about this," Henni said.

Layla was ecstatic to see Henni alive and well. But all of her grateful and joyful feelings, however, disappeared after witnessing Henni laugh at her. Now enraged, Layla smacked Henni's hand away. And then she crossed her arms and furrowed her eyebrows.

"And you stink," Layla replied, turning her head away from Henni's grinning face. "What are you doing here anyway? You should be at the main building," Layla questioned, trying to move on from the previous topic.

Henni frowned and sniffed her clothes, saying, "I don't smell that bad".

She sniffed again, a longer one this time; her face was slightly distorted for a few seconds, then back to normal. "I mean, it all depends on perception. You can think of it as evidence of my hard work," Henni said proudly. "And now, after that hug, we share this essence of hard work together," Henni smirked.

Layla rolled her eyes at Henni's response.

"And about what I am doing here—" Henni stroked her chin and looked Layla up and down, "it's an adult business. Little girls are not allowed in. Sorry, Lady," she said, then winked.

Henni then turned on her heels to go back to her work.

"Once you grow up, then I might tell you then."

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