The Hope of Eden

Looking Glass

1921
Lynchburg, Virginia

"Mommy, look!" Rosalie squeaked, lifting her canvas. "I think it looks just like the yard," She said proudly, and Eden couldn't agree more.

They were outside.

Rosalie wanted to paint and have baby Eden with her, but as she painted, the kitten grew curious and wandered into the paints.

The Eden's now sat together, watching Rosalie paint from a distance.

Dr. Sl-Carmen was out.

Before leaving to check on his clinic and get groceries, he helped Eden come downstairs.

The man was attentive.

But not obsessive.

It made her raise a brow but left her at ease.

It was a good kind of surprising behavior.

She sighed, stroking baby Eden's soft fur.

"I don't want to think this way," She confessed to the purring kitten. "D-, no, Carmen," She sighed again. "I just don't understand him, everything he does confuses me, and at the same time, it comforts me,"

Baby Eden stared at her as if to say, "Why are you telling me?"

She laughed lightly at the kitten's tilted head. "I can't assume that you've never been hurt the way I have before, but if you have, you'd understand my trouble,"

She was never supposed to feel this way.

Carmen was never supposed to be someone to her. Nothing more than an employer.

But she was no fool.

She knew herself.

She remembered being sixteen and finding-

"No." Her hands clenched unintentionally. "No," She shook her head, taking a breath.

This is why.

Things were different, as different as night and day, but was she?

In her mind, it was safe to admire William.

He saved her from the cruel life she knew and took excellent care of her. She was given 'freedom', food, clothing, and anything she desired.

In her naive mind, he was sent from God.

Though it was nine years ago, she feared falling into the same trap.

Carmen was not William, but she was still Eden.

Eden was the one who believed it was safe. Eden was the one who couldn't fight him. Eden was the one who missed him after he sent her away. Eden was the fool, knowing what kind of man William was and still being attached.

Her heart burned with shame and regret.

It took everything in her not to wish things could've been different.

Maybe William could've changed and Rosalie could've had a good father.

She shook her head, blinking back tears.

She didn't want William.

She didn't want to consider Carmen.

She didn't want anything.

"Am I interrupting, Eden?"

Her heart plummeted and fluttered.

A traitor heart.

"No," She whispered, not taking her eyes off Rosalie, who had yet to notice Carmen.

Carmen hummed and sat beside her. "You are very deep in thought." He noted. "A penny for your thoughts? I have not understood the reasoning of paying to know what one is thinking until now. It is highly valued, your thoughts,"