"The Lost Reflection"

one night at the mansion

Bryce's mansion was completely silent. The dim lights illuminated the large living room where she was, sitting on the soft leather sofa in front of the fireplace. She had a glass of wine in his hand, but he had barely drunk it. He watched the flames dance, but her mind was elsewhere.

Brianna.

She closed her eyes and allowed her imagination to take her to a place where everything was different. In that world, Brianna was not alone in an orphanage. In her mind, Bryce could see her running through the halls of the house, laughing, filling the place with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.

She imagined the young woman sitting at the dining room table, with a notebook and crayons, drawing while she and Bobby watched proudly. In her mind, laughter echoed off the walls, the emptiness that tormented her so much disappeared, and the house finally felt like a home.

"What would it be like?" She thought quietly, as the heat of the fireplace caressed her skin. "What if... if I brought her here in the mansion?"

But then, her imagination showed her another side. The paparazzi at the entrance to her house, the invasive questions, the newspaper headlines: "Powerful businesswoman adopts a mysterious orphan."

Bryce squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase that part of the dream. But she knew it was a real possibility. Brianna didn't deserve to be dragged into the center of a media storm, not after everything she'd already suffered.

She placed the glass on the table and stood up, walking towards the window. Outside, the night was calm. The city lights flickered in the distance, but inside, everything was a whirlwind.

For a moment, she imagined herself sitting next to Brianna on the couch. The young woman with her head resting on her shoulder, showing her, brianna's drawings, talking about her dreams. Bryce smiled weakly at the image, but her smile faded as she remembered that it wasn't real.

"Am I crazy for wanting this?" she murmured, as if the walls could answer her.

The thought of adopting Brianna didn't leave her alone. She felt a bond with her that she couldn't explain, a connection that went beyond logic. It was as if fate had brought her to that park that day, as if there was a greater purpose behind everything.

She closed her eyes and let a lone tear roll down her cheek. "If only I could protect her from everything..."

That night, Bryce knew she couldn't ignore her feelings for long. Brianna had not only entered her life; She had found a place in her heart. And although fear and doubt tormented her, she knew she had to do something. She didn't know how, but she had to find a way to bring Brianna into her life, no matter the risks.

The glass of wine was left forgotten on the table as Bryce sat again in front of the fire, her mind drifting between dreams and fears.

Bryce got up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator, took out a bottle of water and stood for a moment looking at his reflection in the glass of the cupboard. She seemed tired, but not just physically; There was something in her eyes that showed a weight he carried inside.

As she took a sip of water, the image of Brianna came back to her. She imagined the girl entering through the kitchen door, barefoot, with a shy smile and eyes full of curiosity. "What are you doing up so late?" Bryce could imagine asking her.

At that point, Brianna would just shrug, responding something like, "I couldn't sleep...can I stay here with you?"

Bryce put the bottle on the table, closed her eyes, and rested her hands on the counter. "God...what am I doing?" she muttered to herself.

She forced herself to think about what bringing Brianna into her life would really entail. It wasn't just an act of kindness; It was a gigantic responsibility. What would happen if I let her down? What if Brianna expected something she couldn't give her? Bryce wasn't perfect, and although she had resources, love and attention were things she hadn't known how to offer even to herself for years.

She returned to the living room and sat down again in front of the fireplace. The flames danced hypnotically as she lost herself in her imagination again.

She imagined taking Brianna to the park, buying her ice cream, showing her parts of the city she might never have seen. She imagined the questions the girl would ask her: Why did you decide to adopt me? Why me?

And in her mind, the answer was simple: "Because I saw you. And when I saw you, I knew you were meant to be a part of my life."

The imagination faded as a tear rolled down her cheek. "What are you doing with me, Brianna?" she whispered, wiping her face with the sleeve of her blouse.

Bryce knew she had to make a decision, and soon. She could no longer allow her life to be filled with imagined possibilities without acting on them. Brianna deserved more than a place in her dreams.

Determined, she turned off the fireplace, turned off the lights, and climbed the stairs to her room. As she slipped under the covers, a resolution began to form in her mind. Maybe she couldn't tell Brianna how she felt yet, but she knew she had to get closer to her, understand her better, and one day find the right moment to turn his thoughts into reality.

That night, Bryce dreamed of a future that still seemed distant, but she knew it was worth fighting to achieve.

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Sorry if this one was short, i will continue it soon,  i promise <3