Elowyn had been spending hours in the attic even before my trip. She said she was “sorting things.” At first, I thought everyone needs their space. But now, I wondered.
Even though Arden’s complaints weren’t horrifying, they felt too harsh.
That night, I found Arden standing outside the attic, hesitant and curious. “What’s in there, Daddy?”
I sighed. “Probably just some old stuff, sweetie. Come on, it’s almost bedtime.”
Sleep didn’t come easily. I lay awake, watching the shadows flicker on the ceiling, questioning whether I’d made a mistake.
Around midnight, I noticed Elowyn quietly leave our room. She unlocked the attic door and went inside. I waited, then followed, pushing the door open.
What I saw took my breath away.
The attic had been transformed into a magical space. Soft pastel walls, shelves of Arden’s favorite books, a cozy window seat piled with cushions. An easel with art supplies, fairy lights across the ceiling, and a child-sized tea table with delicate cups and a stuffed rabbit in a bow tie.
Elowyn was adjusting a teapot when she noticed me. “I… I wanted to finish before showing you. It was supposed to be a surprise for Arden.”
The room was beautiful, but I still felt uneasy. “It’s amazing, Elowyn, but Arden says you’ve been strict. No ice cream, making her clean alone… why?”
