Illusions (Alt. Ending)

Chapter 02 (PAST)

FRANCESSA'S POV

" Arthur have you lost your mind? " I heard my mother's angry voice from my parent's bedroom while I was descending the stairs.

I was so excited about the book my father had brought for me from his own written collection in his lab. The book is all about human brain, everything in detail from its structure to how it works, etc.

For a twelve year old kid like me, it was more than enough knowledge. School books don't have the informations that this book has.

I'd a doubt that I wanted to ask to my father but hearing my mother's outrageous voice, the excitement in me died away.

Closing the book, I held it close to my chest and descended the stairs in hurry.

" We're not going to hurt her. Try to understand Rica, it's an educational experiment. She's going to be a Genius. I will make her one, i promise. " I hear my father say while I ran over to their room. Cracking the door a little, I peeked inside and saw Mom & Dad standing facing each other. Both of them had a very tense expression on their face. I'd never seen them arguing about anything before. This is first time.

Mom glared at Dad. " I don't want you to forcibly make her a Genius. If she wants to be, she will, by her own. I don't want you to mentally torture her while trying to make her a Genius. " Mom turns away from Dad while shaking her head in firm denial.

" I can't allow your madness ruin our daughter's life, Arthur. I won't. "

They are arguing about me?

Dad takes a step closer to Mom and turns her to him by her shoulders. " I've discovered this educational program for the next generations. The environment around them in normal surroundings like these distracts them from focusing solely on their education and fails them in finding the fullest of ability of their brains. In this program, we will just discard all the unnecessary distractions from their lives and help them have their total focus on their education and help them to utilize and put them in situations that will help them develop their brains & will make them mentally stronger. "

Mom steps away from Dad with an expression of sheer disbelief. " Mentally stronger?! That's not how you make a kid's mind stronger! You don't control them to develop their brains! You don't break them mentally to make their minds Einstein ARTHUR!! "

My father's name echoes out from inside the room as my mother yells out his name.

I squeeze the book in my hand more tighter.

" Rica, trust me.. she'll be absolutely safe. How can I assure other guardians when I couldn't proof it to be safe for my own daughter? And I'm totally sure, Cissy will become a Geniu—"

" Don't— Don't you dare, Arthur. " Mom holds her chest and turns her back to Dad.

" Arthur.. I want our daughter to have a normal healthy life. If she wants to become a Genius, she will do the hardwork. But this— it's a mental torture you'll be forcing upon her— " Mom starts coughing.

" She's our daughter Arthur, not any experimental subject. "

" Arthur— Please, I beg you— Please, let her live a normal life— Let her choose what she wants— Please Arthur! " Mom starts coughing again as soon as she finishes her words.