Chapter 221

Nicole's POV

I took my mother's hand, entering the biggest house I saw besides ours. Many people were there, dressed in the same fancy clothes my mom and I wore. Many friends my age gathered first in one of the open sections of the party room, which was also filled with several other adults.

"Do you want to play with them?" my mom asked, to which I immediately replied with a nod. "Alright, don't play too far. You remember where you're going."

"Okay, Mom!"

I quickly joined the other children. A girl took my hand, and we walked together, following the other children who were planning to play hide-and-seek. One of us stood guard when we arrived at a less crowded part of the house while the rest, including me, scattered to find the best hiding place.

I didn't look where I was going and thought I couldn't lose. My footsteps led to a place filled with paintings no longer on display and other dull-looking items. I stifled a cough as I entered the room but used my handkerchief to breathe bett