Ilya’s room was large. There was no doubt about that. But no matter how vast a room is, there are only so many places where a child would hide their secrets.
Noctis moved immediately.
He walked straight to the wardrobe and opened it without hesitation. There was no shame in what he was doing. His life depended on this.
He checked every cabinet.
Every drawer.
Every shelf.
When he slid open one of the compartments, something caught his attention.
A framed photograph.
It was a family photo of the Vexwoods.
Everyone was there.
Ilya’s mother — the same eyes Ilya had inherited.
Her grandparents.
And even Ian Vexwood.
Ian was smiling.
Actually smiling.
He looked… normal. Decent. Like any other father.
But his eyes were hidden beneath his black hair. Almost, as if trying to hiding something.
“They look like a proper family,” Noctis thought. “He even looks like a decent guy… smiling and everything. Then why does Ilya hate him so much?”
He set the photo aside and shifted his gaze toward the desk.
No hesitation.
One drawer opened.
Another.
Then—
A locked one.
He paused briefly.
“Guess I’ll just break it.”
He crouched slightly.
Hand under the lip. Fingers along the sides.
“Old wood? Metal runners? Loose frame?”
Metal runners.
He took a breath.
Braced one hand against the desk.
And pulled.
The wood groaned.
On the second jerk, something snapped inside with a dry crack.
The drawer slid open slightly crooked.
It didn’t matter if someone found out.
He was going to loop anyway.
Right now, information was everything.
Noctis leaned forward and looked inside.
And there it was.
Something painfully familiar.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
A diary.
“Another one? Hah… guess everyone writes a diary nowadays.”
He picked it up and walked toward the bed.
Sitting down slowly, he opened it.
And began reading.
June 4th, 2022
Today, Grandma gave me a diary on my 10th birthday. She told me to write about my everyday life as a hobby. So, I’m going to do just that. I hope I get to write many happy moments with my family from now on.
July 8th, 2022
Grandpa’s health is getting worse day by day. He tells me he is feeling well whenever I ask, but he is definitely lying. I hope he recovers soon. Grandma, Mom, and even Dad are very worried about him.
July 23rd, 2022
Grandpa passed away. I don’t know what to do. Everyone is sad. Grandma has been in her room the whole day without letting anyone inside. She hasn’t eaten anything either. Grandma is going to get sick too if this continues.
July 30th, 2022
Grandma still hasn’t recovered. She is getting thinner day by day. I’ve tried asking her to eat more, but she refuses. She hasn’t been going for walks in the garden like she used to.
August 9th, 2022
Grandma suddenly collapsed on the floor today, groaning in pain. I was so scared I didn’t know what to do. I just stood there. I couldn’t even move. The servants rushed to help her, and now she’s in the hospital.
I don’t want to lose Grandma too.
Please… not her too.
August 10th, 2022
Grandma… passed away.
September 11th, 2022
The atmosphere in the mansion has become gloomy. Mom and Dad don’t talk much anymore. Clarisse has been trying to cheer me up, but I don’t know…
It was just three months ago that I received this diary from Grandma.
And now she’s gone.
I…
September 15th, 2022
Mom suggested that we grow China roses in the garden together. I didn’t understand her motive at first, but then she showed me pictures of them. They are so beautiful. No wonder Mom wants to grow them.
September 18th, 2022
We finally finished sowing the seeds today. The whole time, Clarisse was watching me as if I was drowning or something.
It felt so good to spend time with Mom after so long. Maybe I should invite Dad to join us as well. He’s been holed up in his office this entire time.
September 25th, 2022
Today, I gathered the courage to ask Dad to join us. But to my surprise, Mom had already asked him before I could — and he agreed.
Now all three of us are growing the flowers together.
October 10th, 2022
The flowers have started to grow. Small, fragile sprouts are emerging from the ground. It’s only a matter of time before they bloom.
October 28th, 2022
The sprouts are getting bigger and bigger. I asked Mom when they were going to bloom. She said they will bloom early next year if we take care of them properly.
I really want to see them bloom.
December 25th, 2022
Merry Christmas!
Today, Clarisse and I baked cookies for Mom and Dad as a gift. They really liked them.
Mom gave me a ring with my name engraved on it.
Dad didn’t really know what to give me, so he gave me a mountain of chocolates.
I don’t know how I’m going to finish them all.
January 1st, 2023
Happy New Year!
Today, we went to watch a movie called “House Alone” together. It was really fun.
But Dad almost ruined the movie while eating popcorn. He crunches too loudly.
February 22nd, 2023
Today, Mom suggested that we go to Waterela together. Dad said he couldn’t come because of work.
Honestly, he’s always so busy…
But he still tries to find time for us. Even when he’s tired, he smiles and listens.
That’s why he’s the best dad in the world.
February 23rd, 2023
Mom…
Mom…
Passed away.
It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault.
It’s…
all my fault…
February 24th, 2023
The China roses… bloomed today.
April 5th, 2023
Something is wrong with Dad. He has stopped talking to me ever since Mom…
He won’t even look at me.
He looks at me like I’m some kind of monster.
Maybe he’s right…
December 25th, 2023
Dad pushed me away when I tried to give him my handmade brownies today. They fell on the floor.
He didn’t even look at them.
I worked so hard to make them.
June 4th, 2024
Today is my birthday. I knew no one except Clarisse would wish me. Not even Dad.
But a random gardener I found roaming around with scissors in his hands on a patch with no grass wished me.
I don’t know how he knew.
But it felt… nice.
Noctis slowly lowered the diary.
“…Hah.”
“She really jinxed herself in the very first entry.”
There was no mockery in his voice.
Only something close to quiet sadness.
“What did she mean by ‘it’s my fault’?”
“Is she somehow related to her mother’s accident? That would explain Ian Vexwood’s behaviour.”
He paused.
“But neglecting your own child? You’re a sinful man.”
Noctis closed the diary carefully.
“Anyway… now I need to find out more about Celina Vexwood.”
His eyes sharpened.
This wasn’t just about Ilya anymore.
This was about the entire Vexwood family.
