Elena walked home slowly. Her legs felt weak. Her father's words kept ringing in her head. "You will move into my house next week." She still couldn't believe it.
When she opened the door, David was sitting on the sofa eating noodles. He looked up the moment he saw her face.
"Elena, what happened? You look scared."
Elena sat beside him and held his hand. Her heart was heavy. She didn't know how to start. "David… I need to tell you something. Please don't panic."
David dropped his fork. "What is it? You're shaking."
Elena took a deep breath. "I met someone today… someone important. David, I found out who my father is."
David's eyes widened. "You… you know your dad?"
Elena nodded slowly. "Yes. He's rich. Very rich. I didn't know. Mom never told us."
David sat there shocked. "So… what now? Is he a good man?"
Elena looked away. "No. He's rude. Very rude. He talked to me like I was nothing. But he said something else… something big."
David moved closer. "Tell me."
Elena swallowed hard. "He wants me to move into his house next week."
David froze. Then tears filled his eyes. "Move out? Elena… no… you can't leave me."
Elena hugged him tight. "I don't want to leave you, David. I don't. You are all I have. But he said I must come if I want to learn about the company and the inheritance."
David shook his head. "I don't care about money! I want *you*. You raised me. You took care of me. You're my only family."
Elena held his face. "You are my family too. I'm doing this for us. For both of us. If I become part of that world, maybe our life will be better. We won't have to suffer anymore."
David's tears rolled down. "But I will miss you. Who will wake me up for school? Who will cook? Who will talk to me when I feel sad?"
Elena wiped his tears. "I will still be here for you. I'm not leaving forever. I will call every day. I will visit. And you can stay with me later when things are calm."
David hugged her again, crying harder. "I don't trust that man. I don't like him."
Elena closed her eyes. "I don't like him either. But he is my father. And he wants me to come. I don't have a choice."
David looked at her with red eyes. "What if he hurts you?"
Elena forced a small smile. "I've survived worse. I can handle him."
David held her hand tightly, refusing to let go. "Promise me you won't change. Promise me you won't forget me."
"I promise," Elena said, hugging him again. "You are my heart, David. Nothing will change that."
They stayed like that for a long time. No words. Just tears and fear.
Later that night, David fell asleep beside her on the sofa, holding her arm like a little child. He didn't want to let her go.
Elena stared at the ceiling, thinking about the mansion, the company, the rules, and the cold eyes of the man who called himself her father.
Her phone vibrated.
A message.
From an unknown number.
*"Be ready. Once you enter this house, nothing will be the same again."*
Elena's eyes widened.
Before she could reply, another message came:
*"And stay away from people who don't want you to join the family. They are watching you already."*
Elena sat up slowly, her heart pounding.
*Who was watching her?
And why?*
The room suddenly felt cold.
This was only the beginning.