What Do You Want to Eat?

Carrie gave a bitter smile and gently shook her head. Her eyes were filled with loneliness and helplessness as she slowly said, "Edward, you really don't understand. They all hate me. In their eyes, I'm a complete freak."

Edward frowned slightly when he heard that, his gaze earnest and resolute as he said sincerely, "That's because they don't understand you at all, Carrie.

You're actually very kind, and you have qualities that shine in your own unique way. They just haven't noticed them."

Carrie's eyes instantly reddened slightly, as though Edward's words had touched the softest part of her heart.

Her voice was as soft as a murmur as she said, moved, "Thank you, Edward. You're the first person who's ever been this kind to me. No one has ever said anything like that to me."

Edward looked at Carrie with a warm smile and said gently, "Don't be so formal. We're friends now.

Friends should understand and help each other."

Seeing that Carrie still looked dejected, Edward suddenly had an idea. The corners of his lips curled up into a mysterious smile as he said, "Carrie, how about I show you a magic trick? Whatever you want to eat, I can make it appear right now."

Carrie froze for a moment. A spark of curiosity instantly flashed through her previously dull eyes. After hesitating, she said quietly, "Food? Could it be cake? I... I haven't had cake in a long time."

"Of course." Edward smiled confidently, as if he had complete confidence in this magic trick.

He calmly took out the Gourmet Tablecloth he had won in the lottery and lightly waved it before Carrie, his movements practiced and carrying a hint of performance.

Then he swiftly pulled the tablecloth away, revealing an exquisitely shaped cake in his hand.

The cake was decorated with colorful sugar pearls like sparkling stars in the night sky. Its tempting creamy fragrance filled the air, making one's mouth water. "Here you go."

Edward gently held the cake out to Carrie.

Carrie's mouth fell open in astonishment, her eyes wide with surprise and disbelief, as if she had witnessed something unimaginable.

She carefully accepted the cake, as though afraid that any sudden movement might frighten this surprise away. "Thank you..." she whispered, her voice as gentle as a breeze rustling through leaves and filled with indescribable emotion.

However, just as Carrie happily prepared to taste the cake, a dog suddenly barked at the worst possible moment. Her body stiffened slightly, and the smile that had just appeared on her face instantly froze. Deep fear flashed through her eyes.

Seeing this, Edward quickly comforted her softly. "Carrie, how about we go home first? Next time, I'll make you something else delicious, okay?"

Carrie slowly shook her head, a frightened expression on her face. Her voice trembled as she said, "I don't want to go home, Edward. I don't want to face my mother. She'll lock me in the Reflection Room..."

Edward looked at Carrie's terrified expression. "Don't be afraid, Carrie. I'm here."

Edward spoke softly, his voice firm and strong as he tried to drive away the fear in Carrie's heart.

"But... but Mom is really o((⊙﹏⊙))o." Carrie's body trembled slightly, and the cake in her hands no longer seemed so tempting. Her eyes were full of helplessness.

After thinking for a moment, Edward said, "Carrie, how about this? Come stay at my house for a while. Once your mother calms down, I'll take you back. How does that sound?"

Carrie hesitated. She bit her lip, her eyes filled with conflict. On one hand, she was afraid her mother would fly into a rage if she found out. On the other, she truly did not want to return to that oppressive home.

"Don't worry. I'll explain everything to my mom. She'll understand," Edward continued to persuade her.

Carrie finally nodded. She had no other choice, and she longed to spend some time somewhere a little warmer and safer.

Carrie raised her swollen, reddened eyes. Her gaze was uncertain, but at that moment, she seemed to have grasped her last lifeline. Obediently, she stood up, her slender fingers tightly clutching the corner of Edward's clothes as though it were her only support in this chaotic world.

The two walked slowly beneath the moonlight, which flowed like water. The streets around them were as silent as a land of death. Only their footsteps echoed monotonously through the empty streets, like the heavy drumbeats of fate.

Edward brought Carrie home. When Sarah saw that her son had brought back a girl, she was briefly startled, but she quickly gave a kind smile. "Is this your friend? Come in and sit down."

"Mom, this is Carrie. She... she can't really go home today. Can she stay at our house for a while?" Edward asked cautiously.

Sarah noticed Carrie's bloodless face and the terror that nearly overflowed from her eyes, and she instantly understood what had happened.

An incomparably gentle smile appeared on her face, her eyes filled with concern and motherly affection. "Of course you can, child. Don't be afraid. This place is just like your own home. Stay here and rest easy."

Carrie raised her head slightly and looked at Sarah with eyes full of gratitude. Her lips trembled as she said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's, "Thank you, Auntie." Though quiet, her voice carried deep thanks.

Sarah gently comforted Carrie, her soft words seeming to pull Carrie bit by bit from the Abyss of fear. Not far away, Edward turned his head slightly and lowered his voice as he asked Malkis, "What did you do with her mother?"

Malkis frowned slightly, a complicated look flashing through her eyes as she replied in a low voice, "I absorbed her fear, but... even I, a demon, think there's something wrong with that woman.

Her mind is terribly twisted, as if darkness has completely eroded her soul."

Malkis paused, a trace of helplessness appearing on her face before she continued, "Still, given her current condition, she'll probably have to stay in the hospital for the next few days."

Edward nodded lightly and hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze drifting back to Carrie, who was being comforted by Sarah.

At that moment, Carrie was like an injured fawn, trembling slightly in Sarah's embrace.

Sarah gently took Carrie's hand, her eyes full of concern and heartache. "Child, can you tell Auntie what happened? Did something frightening happen to you?"

Carrie bit her lip, both hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes until her knuckles turned white. After a long silence, she began speaking with a choked voice. "Auntie, my mother... she always..." Before she could finish, tears spilled from her eyes.

Sarah gently patted Carrie's back, her voice soft and warm. "Don't be afraid. Take your time. Auntie's listening."