Chapter 6 Dinner

Under the maids' gazes of disbelief, Hannah took Darren downstairs using the elevator.

Andrew, who was sitting at the dining table while looking bored, tensed up suddenly. He stuttered, "D-Darren."

Darren glanced at him without replying.

A maid eagerly removed a chair from the table.

Hannah had just arrived at the household for a short while. Yet, the maids were already treating her exceptionally well.

Hannah didn't take her seat. She asked, "Where's Nina?"

"Ms. Nina usually has her meals in her bedroom," Mrs. Tate replied. "Her room is on the fourth floor."

"You may serve dinner after Kaden has returned from school," Hannah said. "I'll call Nina."

…

When Hannah reached the fourth floor, she could hear a faint piano melody. It was melodic yet depressing.

She knocked on the door after listening for a moment. Suddenly, the music broke into chaos, and the piano produced a heavy, jarring buzz.

After that, silence fell.

The door wasn't open. Hannah patiently knocked again. "Open the door, Nina."

After a while, the door opened just a crack.

Hannah entered the room and saw a slender figure sitting on the bed while hugging her knees to her chest.

Nina Winchester was the fifth child of the family. She had long hair hanging over her face.

Nina didn't spare a glance at Hannah.

Hannah maintained her usual expression and looked at the piano. It had been hastily closed.

She gently said, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Darren's wife. My name is Hannah Emerson."

There was no response, no movement whatsoever.

"I heard you playing the piano earlier," Hannah said with a smile. "The piece was 'The Swan' by Camille Saint-Saens, right?"

Nina had always seemed like a puppet. However, at the mention of playing the piano, she brushed her hair aside, revealing her wide eyes.

She was like a timid deer, attentive to her surroundings.

Was Hannah going to mock her?

Those who mocked Nina for not having the courage to perform in public said she had no right to play the piano.

Nina remained wary but did not cry. She had grown accustomed to mockery, belittlement, and criticism.

Hannah lifted the piano lid. A familiar melody sounded as her fingertips danced gracefully on the piano keys.

It was "The Swan."

Hannah played the same piece. The ethereal melody was a sharp contrast to Nina's version, which was filled with desolation.

Mesmerized by the music, Nina whispered, "It's beautiful."

Hannah smiled. She treated Nina with kindness.

"You play the piano beautifully as well. I like it. If you're up for it, can you play for me again sometime?"

Nina, who had peeked out, retreated again like a startled deer. At the same time, she blushed.

"I can only play a little," Hannah continued as she approached the bed.

She smiled at Nina while adding, "But I can tell that you're talented. If you want, I'd love to be your audience anytime."

In her previous life, Hannah had chosen to learn the piano to fit into the high society.

She had diligently practiced so she could excel in it. She never stopped practicing till the day she died, even if her arms were sore and her fingers were swollen.

However, Nigel's mother claimed that Hannah wasn't worthy of playing the piano. Her playing lacked true passion.

So, Hannah rarely played in front of others.

The unexpected kindness left Nina stunned. She only saw the sincerity in Hannah's eyes.

With a glimmer of hope in her heart, Nina nodded after a moment's hesitation.

"That's great!" Hannah exclaimed joyfully. "I'll be looking forward to it. Before that, can you join us for dinner in the dining room?

She then added, "The family is waiting for you."

Family?

The unfamiliar term stirred up a swirl of emotions in Nina. Her eyes soon welled up with tears.

Startled, Hannah asked, "W-Why are you crying?"

Nina nodded with tears streaming down her cheeks. She placed her skinny hands on top of Hannah's warm palm.

Darren and Andrew were shocked when they saw Hannah and Nina walking downstairs. The sixth child of the family–Kaden Winchester—was also amazed. He had just come home from school.

Their deceased father was a casanova. All of his children were born to different mothers.

Nina's mother had gone insane after giving birth to her. It led to Nina being kidnapped at a very young age. Fortunately, the Winchesters found Nina a few years ago.

Perhaps due to her trauma, Nina always stayed in her room and played the piano alone. She seldom spoke and rarely appeared in front of others.

Andrew couldn't help but tremble slightly. He gazed at his sister with sympathy, thinking that she had gotten punished by Hannah as well.

Given how frail Nina appeared, Andrew wondered if she felt great pain when beaten by Hannah.

Unaware of their thoughts, Hannah led Nina to her seat. She glanced at Kaden, who was still standing by the door.

She casually greeted him, "Welcome home, Kaden. I'm Hannah Emerson. Go wash your hands and join us for dinner."

Kaden was a handsome and well-mannered teenager. He was clad in a school uniform and carried a backpack.

Apparently his ears were pierced. Since Kaden's high school had a strict dress code, he could only wear plastic sticks for now.

Hearing Hannah's words, Kaden looked at his older siblings. They were sitting somewhat awkwardly at the dining table.

He politely smiled and said, "You must be my sister-in-law. Nice to meet you, Hannah."

At least someone in this family had manners.

Hannah nodded. She then glanced at Andrew.

Andrew tensed up and sat up straight. He nodded to Kaden, whom he rarely spoke with.

Andrew said, "Quick, wash your hands. We've been waiting for you."

Kaden was bewildered, but he maintained his smile. "Alright, Andrew."

There were two more members of the family. One of them was the second child, Anthony Winchester. His whereabouts remained unknown.

The other was the fourth child, Naomi Winchester. She was abroad.

Aside from them, the Winchesters sat around the dining table together for the first time. A strange yet harmonious atmosphere filled the air as they had their dinner.

…

Kaden came downstairs the next morning and saw Hannah sitting at the dining table. She was enjoying her breakfast.

Her graceful movements exuded grace and poise that was nothing like a lady from the slums.

"Good morning, Hannah. I'm off to school," Kaden greeted her while trying to suppress his curiosity about Hannah.

"Wait." Hannah looked at him.

She gestured toward a glass of hot milk on the table. "Drink the milk before you leave."

Kaden hesitated for a moment. Entranced, he looked at the glass of milk.

Hannah thought Kaden didn't like milk, so she started to persuade him.

"Milk helps you grow taller. You need enough nutrition for your age. If you don't like to drink milk, I'll ask Mrs. Tate to prepare oat milk for you tomorrow."

"It's fine."

Kaden picked up the glass of milk and drank it all in one go. He lowered his head and held the empty glass tightly.

Then, he uttered softly, "Regular milk is fine. Thank you, Hannah."

Kaden was very well-mannered.

Hannah nodded and said, "You may leave now. Be safe on the way to school. Study hard and come home early."

She was only a few years older than him. However, she still took on a motherly role like it was her second nature.

Kaden hummed in acknowledgement. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Hannah calling out to him again.