A few moments later, the grand doors creaked open, and a woman stepped out—elegant, poised, and adorned in luxurious clothes that shimmered under the villa's chandelier-lit porch. Heavy jewelry hung from her neck and ears, the kind only old money or power could afford.
Daniel instinctively straightened his posture.
"Is this… my mom?" he wondered, eyeing her expensive heels and the confidence with which she carried herself.
But before he could speak, the woman rushed forward, her voice laced with concern, "Master Daniel, are you alright? I've been so worried about you…"
Daniel narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to read her face.
She doesn't look worried. If anything, she looks like someone who's been enjoying every inch of this lavish life.
Her expression, her tone—it felt off, rehearsed, like an actress reciting lines.
But then, something strange happened. As she stepped closer, a strange wave of familiarity washed over him—not from the novel, not from any file or backstory… but from somewhere deeper. Realer. Personal.
And then, as if spoken by someone else, the word escaped his lips.
"Nanny…?"
The woman froze.
She stammered, "Y-you… you remember?"
Daniel slowly shook his head. "No."
For a brief moment, he caught something on her face. A flicker of relief. A softness that hadn't been there before. But she masked it almost instantly, her expression returning to the polished calmness of a well-trained caretaker.
He noticed it, though.
And that was enough to plant the seed of doubt.
Why did she look relieved when I said I didn't remember anything?
What is she hiding?
Daniel's mind sharpened, instincts flaring. He gave her a calm smile and followed her inside.
But deep down, he knew something was very, very wrong.
As soon as the door opened, the nanny's face softened with that same familiar affection she always wore—but Daniel could still catch the subtle flicker of unease in her eyes. It was like she wanted to ask something... but held herself back.
"Oh, Master Daniel, are you alright? I've been calling you for quite a while," she said gently, her voice laced with concern. Then her gaze fell to the photo frame still clutched in his hand.
For a brief second, her expression froze—just long enough for Daniel to catch it. A flash of recognition. A memory? Guilt?
Daniel followed her line of sight, then looked down at the cracked glass. The smiling couple in the photo—the man with striking red hair and the woman with flowing black locks—looked back at him through time. His supposed parents. People he didn't remember... but something inside him stirred every time he looked at them.
"I found this," Daniel muttered, voice still heavy with grogginess as he set the frame down on a nearby shelf. "Guess I must've passed out."
The nanny quickly stepped aside to let him out, brushing off her hesitation with a practiced smile. "Dinner has been prepared. I thought you might be hungry. It's already past eight."
Daniel stretched his limbs, still feeling the dull throb in his head. "Yeah... I guess I could eat."
As they walked toward the grand dining hall, Daniel couldn't help but glance back at the room—the bed, the shelves full of toys, the dusty photo frame... and that memory.
> "I hate you guys!"
The scream.
The shattering glass.
The slamming door.
And then—
> Crying. Alone. The same boy kneeling on the ground, hugging the broken frame like it was the only thing left in the world.
Daniel's jaw clenched. That wasn't just someone else's memory anymore. It felt real. Personal.
He walked silently behind the nanny, but his thoughts were far from quiet.
"Who were they really…? And why do I feel like I betrayed them?"
Whatever this life was… it wasn't as simple as waking up in a new body.
There were ghosts here. Not the kind that haunt houses—
The kind that haunt hearts.
---
On the other side, Nanny entered her room and dialed a number.
As soon as the call was picked up, a deep voice came from the other end.
"Speak."
In a low voice, Nanny replied, "Daniel has returned to the villa."
The man on the other end asked, "What's his condition?"
Nanny said, "He really has lost his memory, but some things are coming back to him."
The voice on the other end grew serious, "Keep an eye on him. And when he leaves the villa, inform me immediately."
---
It was dinner time, and Nanny said, "Dinner time, Master." Saying this, her gaze fell on the frame on the table. She then turned around and left, adding, "Bali, wash your hands and face, and come down."
Daniel closed the gate quietly and placed the frame on the table before heading off to freshen up. A little while later, as he was having dinner, he noticed that only Nanny and the cook were in the house. There was no one else.
Sitting alone at the table, Daniel suddenly asked, "Nanny, where's Sylviya? I don't see her around."
As the words left his mouth, Daniel thought to himself, Wait a minute, how do I know about Sylviya?
Nanny smiled and replied, "Master, Sylviya took a leave for a few days. She will be back soon. But, do you remember her? Is your memory coming back to you?"
Daniel responded, "I don't know. I know Sylviya works for me, but how she looks, I can't remember."
Nanny smiled warmly at his response, then teasingly asked, "And what about me? Do you remember me?"
Daniel looked at her and, in straightforward words, said, "No, but I know you're my Nanny, and you've been with me since childhood."
Daniel himself felt confused. Maybe his physical memories were starting to imprint again.
After dinner, Daniel went to his room and looked at the table where the photo frame was still placed. Staring at it, Daniel muttered to himself, And I know that Daniel's parents were space explorers. They went on an expedition and never returned. Daniel was just 10 years old at that time. After that, bad things happened to him. Most of his property was taken by his father's elder brother, and he was left with only this villa as part of the inheritance. It was only because of Nanny and Sylviya that he had enough money to live on. Otherwise, his uncle kept the company shares and the profits for himself, claiming to be the family caretaker. Nanny and Sylviya were outsiders, people he couldn't trust too much.
A light laugh escaped Daniel's lips as he thought, So, this is the story of Daniel. Looks like I'll need to meet this uncle of mine. But it's strange... there's nothing about these people in the novel. It makes me feel like there's a 60% chance this is a real world.
On the other side, Nanny entered her room and dialed a number.
As soon as the call was picked up, a deep voice came from the other end.
"Speak."
In a low voice, Nanny replied, "Daniel has returned to the villa."
The man on the other end asked, "What's his condition?"
Nanny said, "He really has lost his memory, but some things are coming back to him."
The voice on the other end grew serious, "Keep an eye on him. And when he leaves the villa, inform me immediately."
---