Secrets of blooming estate book one

Chapter four the shattered reflection

When the darkness receded, Sophia found herself in a different landscape altogether. She stood in a vast, dimly lit hall, surrounded by mirrors that stretched up into the infinite darkness above. Each one was ornate, framed in gold and silver, reflecting not only her image but also glimpses of scenes she recognized—memories that felt like distant echoes.

At the center of the hall stood a large mirror, its surface rippling like water. As she approached, she could see her reflection shimmer, the edges distorting into an array of colors and shapes. But it wasn't just her image staring back at her; shadows lurked in the background, faint figures flitting in and out of view, their faces obscured but their forms achingly familiar.

"Welcome, Sophia," a voice echoed through the hall, smooth and seductive. It was feminine, but twisted, echoing from every direction.

Sophia turned sharply, searching for the source, her heart racing. "Who's there?"

"You've entered the Mirror Realm," the voice replied, dripping with a silken menace. "A reflection of your soul, your fears, and your desires. I am the keeper of this domain, the one who shows you the truth of your heart."

Sophia took a cautious step back. "What truth? I don't understand."

The mirrors responded to her confusion, swirling images around her, flaring to life. She saw herself as a child, laughing and playing in the gardens of Blooming Estate, sunlight bathing her in warmth. Then the scene shifted, showing her father's face, troubled and grave, warning her of the darkness lurking in the shadows. She saw herself older now, a teenager standing alone on the estate's balcony, looking out over the sprawling grounds, feeling isolated and lost.

The images cascaded one after another—her mother's smile twisted into an expression of despair, her friends abandoning her, shadows of doubt whispering in her ears.

"What is this?" she demanded, feeling the weight of each memory press down on her.

"It is the essence of who you are," the voice said, growing more insistent. "Every joy, every fear, every regret. This is the truth the Garden wants you to face. Do you wish to confront it, or will you turn away?"

"I don't want to turn away," Sophia said, though her voice quivered. "But I don't know how to confront this."

As if answering her unspoken question, the large mirror at the center of the hall rippled again, settling into a single, vivid image. It was her—only it wasn't just her. The reflection revealed a darker version of herself, shadowy and twisted, wearing an expression of cold indifference. This version smiled cruelly, and for a moment, it felt as though the air in the hall had grown heavier.

"Look closely," the voice urged. "What do you see?"

Sophia felt her stomach twist. "I see... I see myself."

"Do you recognize her?" the voice continued, now laced with a chilling delight. "This is the part of you that you fear, the side that craves power, control, and the abandonment of those who would hold you back. She is the reflection of your deepest desires, Sophia. The part of you that would do anything to escape the pain."

"No," Sophia protested, shaking her head violently. "I'm not like her."

"Are you not?" The voice was taunting now. "What have you wanted for so long? Freedom from your past? From your family's burdens? You have wished for power. You have wished to be something more than the girl trapped in this estate. But power comes at a price."

Sophia stepped back, her heart racing. "That's not who I am. I want to protect what's left of my family, not destroy it!"

"But you cannot escape her," the voice hissed, reverberating around the hall. "She is part of you, just as the pain is. The darkness will always be a choice. You must confront her to move forward."