12 The two kids were completely oblivious to her thoughts. Ethan looked up. 'Aunt Sophia, what are we having for dinner?" Sophia shoved a pile of potato chips and chocolates at them. "Eat these." Ethan scrunched up his little face. "But I eat this stuff every day. I'm kinda over it. Can you make me some shrimp scampi? Even Mom, clumsy as she is, can make that." Olivia quickly nodded too. She wasn't super picky about food, but even the best snacks got old after a while. Even she was starting to miss her mom's cooking. Sophia's voice was gentle, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Your mom is a housewife, she has time to cook. Aunt Sophia has her own career, she's super busy, no time for that." "Ethan and Olivia are good kids, you understand that, right?" The two kids froze for a second, then nodded instinctively. Sophia added, "Okay, today I'll give you guys another yummy juice to drink. Aunt Sophia might not be able to cook, but I can buy all sorts of delicious food and drinks for you." She opened two cans of fruit wine. The citrusy aroma completely masked the alcohol. Both kids tasted it, found it delicious, and quickly chugged down a can. Their little faces were flushed from the booze, and they fell asleep without even eating dinner. "Put them to bed. Get them out of my sight." Sophia ordered the servant, a look of pure disgust on her face. The servant hesitated, wanting to speak, then couldn't hold back. "Ms. Miller, a child this small can't drink alcohol. Something bad will happen." Everyone has a heart, right? And most people have kids. Even as an outsider, she felt a pang of sympathy. Especially since, even if the kid was a spoiled brat, he'd always been sweet to her. She couldn't fathom how Sophia could be so cruel. Sophia's eyes turned arctic. "Shut up. If you dare breathe a word of this, you know what'll happen!" The maid immediately shut up. The pay here was great; she really valued this job. The next day, both kids woke up feeling groggy, their stomachs churning something fierce. Ethan really wanted a bowl of his mom's creamy oatmeal. Olivia was craving the hot, delicious ravioli her mom used to make. But Sophia pushed two boxes of sickly sweet, chocolate-covered cookies toward them. "This is your breakfast," she said. She spoke in French, "French people often eat pastries for breakfast. You're both little ladies and gentlemen now, you Hearing that, the kids shut up their complaints. need to get used to it." After eating the cookies, Olivia playfully lunged into her arms. "Aunt Sophia, I don't want another ponytail. Can you braid my hair nicely like Mom used to? I know she was a stay-at-home mom, but you're so smart, I bet you could learn super fast." Sophia narrowed her eyes, then smiled. "I've got an even better idea. Sweetie, close your eyes." Olivia trustingly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she froze, then burst into tears. "Wah! "My hair, my hair!" 1231 1.8% Sign you commTS Her long hair was her most treasured possession. She hadn't cut it since she was a month old, and it reached her waist. But now, it was chopped into a short bun. Her heart was absolutely broken! "It's cute like this, and you won't have to comb it. You'll be elites, so don't waste time you shouldn't." Listening to Sophia's confident words, Olivia, who used to believe her every word, felt lost. Maybe Aunt Sophia was super smart and capable, and maybe Mom was dumb and useless, but in that moment, she suddenly missed her mom so much. Ethan felt the same way. All the small, tiny hurts piled up, and the two kids hugged each other, bawling their eyes out. "Mommy, I want Mommy!" I wanna go home! I don't wanna live here!" Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!