What Do You Want to Eat

Carrie gave a bitter smile and gently shook her head, her eyes filled with loneliness and helplessness. 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. He said sincerely, "That's because they don't understand you at all, Carrie.

You're actually very kind, and you have your own unique strengths. They just haven't noticed them."

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

Her voice was as soft as a whisper as she said emotionally, "Thank you, Edward. You're the first person who's ever been so nice to me. No one has ever said things like that to me before."

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 lifted into a mysterious smile as he said, "Carrie, how about I show you a magic trick? Tell me what you want to eat, and I can make it appear right now."

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

"Of course." Edward smiled confidently, as though he had complete control over this trick.

He calmly took out the Gourmet Tablecloth he had won in the lottery and gave it a light shake before Carrie, his movements skillful and a little theatrical.

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

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

Edward gently held the cake out to Carrie.

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

She carefully accepted the cake, as though afraid that any sudden movement would scare this wonderful surprise away. "Thank you..." she murmured, her voice as soft as a breeze rustling through leaves, filled with indescribable gratitude.

However, just as Carrie was happily about to taste the cake, a burst of barking rang out at the worst possible moment. Her body stiffened slightly, and the smile that had just appeared on her face instantly froze. A deep fear flashed through her eyes.

Seeing this, Edward quickly comforted her in a soft voice. "Carrie, how about we go home first? Next time I get the chance, I'll make you something else delicious, okay?"

Carrie slowly shook her head, a terrified 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 frightened expression. "Don't be afraid, Carrie. I'm here."

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

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

Edward thought for a moment and said, "Carrie, how about this? Come stay at my house for a while. Once your mother has calmed down, I'll take you back, okay?"

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 it clearly to my mother. She'll understand," Edward continued to persuade her.

Carrie finally nodded. She had no other choice, and she longed to stay somewhere a little warmer and safer for a while.

Carrie raised her red, swollen eyes, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. Yet at that moment, she seemed to have grasped her last lifeline. She obediently stood up, her slender fingers clutching tightly at the corner of Edward's clothes, as though he were her only support in this chaotic world.

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

Edward took Carrie home. When Sarah saw her son bring back a girl, she was slightly taken aback, but she quickly revealed a kind smile. "Is this your friend? Come in and have a seat," Sarah warmly invited.

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

Sarah noticed Carrie's bloodless face and the terror that seemed ready to spill from her eyes, and she instantly understood what had happened.

An incomparably gentle smile appeared on her face, her eyes full of concern and motherly affection. She said softly, "Of course, child. Don't be afraid. Treat this place as your own home. Just stay here at ease."

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

Sarah gently comforted Carrie, her soft words seeming to pull her little by little from the abyss of fear. Not far away, Edward tilted 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. 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 severely twisted, as though darkness has completely eroded her soul."

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

Edward nodded lightly and grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze involuntarily returning to Carrie, whom Sarah was comforting.

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 you run into something frightening?"

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

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