Chapter 1 Prestigious school

"Two towns away?" Elaine yelled, before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. It was only then she realized she was talking to her grieving mother.

She couldn't believe it.

Her father had just died. They had moved away from the city to somewhere more secluded, and now she was being sent to a boarding school, worse, one that was two towns away. It felt less like a decision and more like she was being quietly pushed out of the house.

"I don't want to go," she said again, this time more controlled.

She waited, expecting her mother to argue with her. To insist she stay.

Instead, her mother simply walked back into the kitchen and continued clearing the dishes.

"You know I just did what I thought was best," her mother said, her eyes fixed on her work. "Your dad is gone. We're here now. I don't think it would be healthy for you to stay home with me like this. You should live a normal life—like others your age. Make friends. Graduate. Go to college."

Her voice lowered with every word, heavy with emotion she was trying to hide.

"Staying here with me wouldn't be best for you," she added. Then she paused, finally looking up. A pained smile touched her face. "But it's okay if you don't want to go. I should have asked you first before finalizing everything."

"I sh—no, it's okay," Elaine interrupted quickly. "It's just a year. It'll be over before I know it. I'm not complaining. I'm just not comfortable with the idea of leaving you alone."

She sat down on the dining chair, her hands resting lightly on the table.

"Thank you," her mother said softly, a small smile forming on her face.

Elaine stayed quiet.

She didn't know how to explain it properly. She wasn't at ease. The idea of a boarding school didn't sit right with her at all. Something about it felt wrong, though she couldn't explain why. Maybe it was grief. Maybe it was the sudden change. Or maybe it was just fear of leaving what little remained of her family behind.

She let out a quiet sigh.

"What's the name of the school?" she asked casually.

"Herbert Wilbur," her mother replied, a proud smile appearing on her face.

Elaine blinked. "Huh?"

"Herbert Wilbur," her mother repeated. "I heard it's a very prestigious school. Elegant too. You'll love it."

Elaine doubted that immediately.

"What kind of name is Herbert Wilbur?" she muttered, brows furrowed. "Herbert is a normal name. Wilbur too. How is that a school name?"

Her mother shrugged lightly while wiping her hands with a kitchen linen. "I don't know. Probably the founder's name. Herbert Wilbur is one of the oldest schools around. That might explain it."

She sat down across from Elaine.

"Oldest?" Elaine repeated under her breath.

Somehow, that made it worse.

Old places always carried old secrets.

"You'll be starting next week," her mother added.

Elaine nodded lightly, already standing up. "I'll go unpack."

She walked away, then paused slightly at the hallway when her mother's voice followed her.

"And Elaine, don't touch my precious collection of potted plants."

Elaine rolled her eyes. Her mother's obsession with those plants never made sense. She swore she had never seen them anywhere else before not even similar ones.

But she didn't question it.

Not yet.