Death Contract (PUBLISHED)

Ant Family Part 1

Chapter 53

I don’t know how many times I’ve sighed while facing the mirror and currently combing my long hair. Even though I can't see my real face and I only see Hailey, I know in myself that I am still Mary and not Hailey.

I sighed again.

However, when I heard a knock on the bedroom door, I quickly stopped what I was doing. I was not surprised when Mrs. Perelman entered the room. I left the door open because I know that every night Hailey's mom constantly brings milk to her youngest child. And because I was using Hailey's body, I just let her go and chose to be an obedient daughter.

Earlier, I had just finished taking a bath. I was currently wearing nighties and planned to go to sleep. However, drowsiness did not visit, so I chose to comb my long hair in front of the mirror. I wanted to relax, but just looking at my reflection in the mirror as someone else seemed exhausting.

"Hailey, this is your milk." I took a deep breath before I turned to Mrs. Perelman, who was now laying the milk on the vanity table. I accepted it with a smile, even though I was forced to.

"Thank you, M-Mom." Even if I admit it or not. I really can’t get used to calling Mrs. Perelman "mom." I grew up without a mother, and my memory of her is only fully recovered now. So, I have to adjust.

Mrs. Perelman smiled and took the comb from me. "That's nothing, baby." After saying that, she combed my hair. "The house is boring lately, Hailey, it's so quiet. You're always nowhere to be found while your sister and dad are always busy at work. It feels so empty. " She added. I just listened to that while sipping the milk she made. "But that's okay with Mommy, as long as you, your sister, and dad are safe and healthy." For a moment, I was stunned by what Mrs. Perelman said.

For almost a few months, I was with them. Not a day goes by that they treat me badly. I got to the point where I wondered why Hailey behaved like that when her family was so kind. Sometimes it was enviable too, to the point where I wished I was just Hailey. Life is simple and normal. Not like what I have now. 

"Baby, I'm sorry. You might think that I'm limiting you to what I'm going to say again, and then you'll leave home like before. " At that point, I realized why Hailey’s temperament was different to all of them. Maybe she was choked by parental restrictions when she was still alive, so that's why she is like that. "But Hailey, it's not good that you stay at your boyfriend's house for a few weeks." Mrs. Perelman took a deep breath, as if she was trying to talk to me slowly so that I would not get mad. Maybe if it was Hailey, she would have talked back to her by now. I bet they will have fought. But since Mrs. Perelman was talking to me, Mary, I understood what she wanted to say. "Dad and your sister are worried about you. I hope you will understand. You're still young and you're not married yet. Go to school first. Have some fun. "

At that point, I couldn’t help but close my eyes. I'm envious. I can’t help but blame Saint for everything. What if he doesn't let my mother die? If that day, Saint stopped the track to run over my mom, maybe she would still be here with me and Mom would be the one saying this to me instead of Hailey's mother.

I want someone to blame for what happened. I'm mad, but when I think of all the happy memories I have with Saint. All of the fun and laughter we've been having lately, as well as the love I have for him, has made my heart ache.And because of that, I can't bear to hate him, yet I'm mad.

"Hailey, my child, is there a problem?" When Mrs. Perelman asked that I immediately open my eyes, that's when I realized that I was crying. I forced a smile so she wouldn't get worried, then I wiped my tears using my backhand.

"Nothing, Mom." 

Fortunately, she didn't bother me anymore and just let me go. However, Mrs. Perelman did not leave me. Until I fell asleep, Hailey's mother accompanied me. Something I'd hoped for by now.

Morning came, and when I woke up, Mrs. Perelman prepared my dress. I was taken aback, but since I had to act like I was her daughter. I let her.

We shared breakfast that day, and I couldn’t help but watch everyone in Hailey’s family at the dining table. They are very happy talking randomly while eating, although I do know that they are professional people. Mrs. Perelman even fed me by putting food on my plate while Mr. Perelman asked me how my sleep was. Hazel, on the other hand, tells us a story as she occasionally pours water into everyone's glass when she notices that it's empty.

So, this is how it feels to have a family. This is how it feels to have a normal and whole family. It’s just sad that I didn’t experience this with my real parents. And if I did, I don't remember.

After breakfast, Mr. Perelman and Hazel drove me to the Academy because they are both doctors and they are going to the same hospital. Mrs. Perelman has been left at home because she no longer works.

Throughout the day at school, I also barely understood anything about the topic or lesson. So I just let it go. But at least this time, my day was normal. However, I know something is missing.

On the way home, I was picked up by a Perelman driver. It was raining, and I didn't have an umbrella. Their garage had no roof, so I expected when I got out of the car I would be soaked. However, someone gave me an umbrella, and when I looked up, it was Hailey's mother.

"I remember, you didn't bring an umbrella, Hailey. It's hard to get soaked by rain now; you might get sick. " I was stunned for a moment by her presence and the way she pulled me closer so I wouldn't get wet by the rain. I couldn’t help but stare at Mrs. Perelman until we entered their mansion. "All right, baby, change your clothes upstairs first. Then come down. I cooked your favourite Peking duck! " Hailey's mother happily announced it to me, and then she seemed to expect something from me. I couldn't help but think about what it was. Until I realized that she might be expecting my reaction, which is why I acted surprised.

"Wow! Thank you, Mom. " I don’t know if I did it right, but I did it anyway. But because of that, astonishment appeared on Mrs. Perelman's face.

"Do you have a problem, Hailey? You can tell me. After all, I'm still your mom. " Sympathy for how I feel can be traced to what she said. Mrs. Perelman even stroked my hair a little, as if that would ease my heavy mood. "Whatever it is, Hailey, Mommy is always here, okay?" At that time, the tears fell into my eyes that I tried to hold back for a few days. And for the first time, I let myself cry and hugged the person who considered me her child.

I want to regret it. I want to be angry. I want to scream and get lost. Ask and rebuke God why he made my life so complicated. But all of that disappeared from my mind when Hailey's mother hugged me back. She even barely touched my hair.

"My daughter, no matter what happens to you, always remember that we are here. You are not alone. We will not leave you. I'm here with your sister Hazel, followed by your father.We love you, baby. " At that moment, my embrace with Mrs. Perelman tightened. That night, I temporarily found refuge in the chaotic world I lived in. In the meantime, God has given me someone to hold. Something I am fully grateful for

Once upon a time, there was a small ant family living near the river. The Ant parent has two children. They named them Astar and Ester. Every morning the whole family leaves their nest to look for food. When evening comes, they will also go back together holding food, so when the rain comes, they will not starve. The ants are inseparable. Things that make them stronger.

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