I gazed at myself in the mirror the next morning. It was very early, the family was just beginning to stir. I was endlessly thankful that I had a small bathroom in my bedroom. I have already applied my makeup and graze. I dressed myself in a charming pink dress with shoe to match. I gazed at my surroundings and smiled proudly to myself. "I am so far away from that rotten cell." I said in Estonian.

It was a warm Saturday. I heard a loud knock on my bedroom door and the ebullient voice of Sabrina. "Mercy! Mercy! Get up, you need to get up! There is a party for you!" Sabrina squealed.

I headed to the door and opened it with a wide smile. Sabrina was bouncing up and down in pure joy. Still in her pink pajamas, Sabrina grabbed my wrist with a toothy grin. "Mom and Daddy got you tons of presents!" Sabrina chirped.

I couldn't contain my joy, Sabrina's cheerful nature is contagious. "I need to get Alyona!" I said urgently. With that, I headed to Alyona's bedroom. Sabrina followed me like a shadow. I knocked on the door. "Aly, good morning!" I called out. It was several seconds when Alyona opened her bedroom door. Her ebony hair was tied into a untidy ponytail, dressed in a shirt and shorts.

"Alyona, there is a party downstairs for you two!" Sabrina rejoiced. She eagerly pointed her finger downstairs with a joyful smile. I grabbed Alyona's hand and escorted downstairs. Sabrina is in front of us, beaming with exburence.

Downstairs, I saw the festive living room. Wanda, Cole, and Melanie all sat in the living room. Melanie saw me first and smiled warmly. Alyona's eyes glimmered with interest. Sabrina sprinted to the living room. Me and Alyona followed. Upon entering the living room, Alyona's eyes lit up. "WHOA!" She gasped at the sight of the piles of presents in the center of the living room.

Alyona broke out into a excited smile. "This is….just...wow!" Alyona beamed.

I felt bliss. Simply being here is a accomplishment for me. I was far away from that cell, far away from the orphanage. I won! I beamed and couldn't contain my joy. My smile is ear to ear. "This is amazing!"

Cole beamed at the sight of me smiling. "Do you like it?"

"I love it!" I squealed. I approached Cole and threw my arms around his neck, giving him a affectionate embrace. "Thank you, Daddy." I whispered into his ears sweetly.

Cole wrapped his arms around me to give me a warm embrace. "No problem, honey." I released Cole, still grinning. Alyona is analyzing the gifts. She grabbed the largest gift with a excited grin. "This is huge!" She exclaimed.

Alyona began to giggle out of joy. The room was filled to the brim with joyful laughter. Alyona began to tear at the wrapping. I sat by Cole, my head laid on his firm shoulder. Wanda is on cloud nine. "You're going to love it, Alyona!"

Alyona completely ripped off all of the wrapping to reveal an easel. Alyona suddenly began to jump up and down with jubilance. She seemed to be lost in innocent excitement. "WOW! THIS IS AMAZING! THANK YOU!" Alyona rejoiced.

I never seen Alyona appear so happy before. Alyona eagerly began to open more and more presents. I eventually joined. A delightful smile grew on my face as I found paints, books, toys, dolls, board games, a diary, a baking set, and a teddy bear.

"I LOVE IT! I LOVE THIS!" I squealed happily. Alyona was engrossed in all of her gifts. She was squealing with excitement and was overflowing with happiness. Sabrina was bouncing up and down with a cheerful smile. Her adorable voice is boisterous and curious. "Do you like it? Do you like it?" Sabrina chirped.

I found myself beaming when I opened a large gift of dresses and makeup. I had two sets of clothes. The outdated dresses I often wear and normal clothes. I smiled delightfully. "THANK YOU!" I held up a frilly white dress, I noticed Wanda beaming at me with a massive smile. "I knew you would love it!" Wanda said happily.

"Sister Wanda kept telling me how you loved these kinds of dresses!" Wanda chirped. I gazed at Wanda. I still hated this woman, but I did appreciate that Wanda brought me more dresses to wear.

"Alyona, how do you like it?"

Alyona was smiling ear to ear as she gazed at her pairs of lovely clothes and dresses. "It's perfect!" Alyona said happily.

Sabrina embraced Alyona. Alyona jerked out of shock, but then she warmly embraced Sabrina back. "I am so happy you like it!"

Full of joy, I threw my arms around Cole, planting sweet kisses on his cheek. "Thank you, Daddy." I whispered happily.

"You're welcome, Mercy." He said. When I released him, Cole had a comical smile on his face. I then realized that his right hand was behind his back. I knew he was hiding a present from me. "What's the matter?" He teased playfully.

"There's a present behind you!" I giggled lightly.

"Is there?" Cole arched his eyebrow with a smirk. Then me and him burst out laughing. He revealed his small present. He handed it to me and I eagerly opened it. It was a silver necklace with a heart. I almost wanted to cry. This was a lovely gift from my Cole.

"I love this, Daddy." I chirped.

I then looked up to the staircase to see Shelia gazing down at us. She was dressed in blue pajamas, her hair is messy and knotty. I smiled at her gently. Shelia's face was hardened.

"Shelia?" Upon hearing Wanda's voice, Shelia became rigid. I glanced at Wanda. She did not appear happy anymore. She frowned. "Go back to your room, young lady! I have already told you!" She rebuked sharply. Shelia turned her head away from Wanda in protest. She only spoke to Cole. "Uncle Cole, can I come down there, please?"

Cole looked at his niece with compassion. "Sure, Sweetheart." He agreed. Wanda's mouth dropped open in shock. "COLE!"She gasped. She shot her husband a stern look. "No, Cole! She is in trouble!" She objected.

Cole's eyes widened. "Come on, it's a new day. Can't hold this against her. She should get to know Mercy and Alyona." He suggested.

But Wanda is stubborn. "I am sorry, but Shelia disrespected me last night!" Shelia and Wanda exchanged a dirty look to each other. Shelia lost her temper immediately. "I HATE YOU, WANDA!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. Then she sprinted to her bedroom and slammed the door as hard and loud as she could.

Cole is eager to end the tension. "Wanda, we have an appointment, remember?" He reassured. Wanda exhaled deeply. She clenched her teeth in frustration. "Cole, please talk to Shelia."

Cole shook his head. "Let's just stay calm. It is early in the morning. You know how Shelia can be. We need to just relax and have fun today. Come on, give Shelia another chance and let her have some fun. Today is the day to celebrate!"

Wanda exhaled again and said nothing.

"Just give Shelia some space and just let her cool off." Cole advised. Wanda nodded in agreement.

The day is pleasant afterwards. Shelia paid no attention to Wanda, acting as if she did not exist. Me and Alyona sat in my bedroom, chattering among each other.

Alyona appeared flabbergasted. "I can't believe they gave us so many presents!" Alyona exclaimed.

I smiled. "I told you they were nice people." I beamed. I put a warm hand on her shoulder.

Alyona nodded. "I hope they stay nice." She muttered.

I heard Sabrina's gleeful giggling from downstairs. Morgan was talking loudly on her cell phone. Melanie was babysitting and Cody was isolated in his bedroom. It was a nice and quiet afternoon. Then Shelia's shrill protest broke the silence. "NO! NO! NO! I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THERAPY! NO! NO! NO!" Shelia screamed.

Wanda was shouting like a sergeant. "Shelia, do not speak to me like that!" She hollered. Me and Alyona were silent, curious, I made my way to the bedroom door, the walls were not soundproof. "COLE, COME UP HERE!" She yelled. I heard Cole's instant footsteps rushing up the stairs. "Shelia." He raised his voice sternly. The commotion quietened immediately. "Enough, Shelia. You are going. Don't fight today." He scolded.

"NO!" Shelia cried, then I heard rapid feet sprinting and the slam of a door.

Wanda sounded frustrated. "Cole!" She exclaimed. "We need to talk to Dr. Wilson about her mood swings!"

"Mood swings?" I echoed softly. Does Shelia suffer from mental illness? She clearly had behavioral issues. I felt pity for the child.

"We will." Cole assured calmly.

Wanda was still upset. "I really wished Gemma told us about her daughter's conditions beforehand!" I heard the couple walk towards the Shelia's direction.

"Gemma didn't really have much of a chance to tell us." Cole said.

"She should have told us! She should have told us that Shelia suffers with alot of illness! It would have been a great heads up!" Wanda vented.

Cole is still calm. "Wanda, calm down. Getting angry isn't going to do anything."

Wanda exhaled. "You're right. But I am just so frustrated!"

Alyona began to distract herself by twirling her hair.

Shelia put up a fight. Screaming, yelling, and shouting, Shelia was dragged downstairs by a tired Cole and a disgruntled Wanda.

Once Shelia was gone, the house was silent. I grew curious every passing second. I wanted to know EVERYTHING about my daughters. I wanted to know how to manage her issues. I desired documents and records. I hopped off of my bed.

"What's wrong?" Alyona asked concerned.

"I want to look around." I told her. I didn't want to go alone. I needed a trusty lookout. "Come on!" I urged.

"Alyona, come with me."

Alyona gave me a curious look. "Why?"

I have no patience to wait, I opened the bedroom door and beckoned Alyona to follow. I headed out the door and to the Master bedroom. I heard Alyona's light footsteps behind me. I scanned my surroundings. Sabrina was downstairs and no one was in sight.

Alyona appeared worried. "Mercy, why do you want to go look into their bedroom for?"

I kept my voice low as I inched further to the door. My hand grabbed the doorknob. "I want to know more about this family. I just need you to make sure no one sees me?"

Alyona arched her an eyebrow. "Why does it matter if someone sees you? Are you going to steal something?" She probed.

I shook my head. "No. Just looking around." Then I opened the door. The Master bedroom was large and wide. Beautifully designed with a massive, comfortable bed. Alyona didn't follow my orders and followed me inside the bedroom. I assumed that she was curious as well. Alyona is smart and closed the door behind her tightly.

Alyona turned around and gave me a serious look. "Okay, we look around and put everything back afterwards."

I nodded in agreement and smiled. I was a bit upset that Alyona did not listen to me, but I was happy that she was going along with my deed.

I began to scavenged through the dressers and the large desk in the corner of the room. I rummaged through business papers and bills.

Alyona scanned the room, looking under the bed and digging in dressers I haven't got to.

It was a full minute when Alyona seized my attention. "MERCY!" She whispered loudly. I turned around to see Alyona holding stacks of papers in her hands. Her eyes are lit with interest. "I found stuff about Shelia! I think I also found Wanda's journal!"

I scurried over to Alyona, full of curiosity. I hit the jackpot! I thought to myself gleefully. A smile grew on my face as Alyona showed me the leather journal in her possession. It was leather and light brown, written in small black letters: Wanda Weiss. I felt pride upon holding the journal. All of her secrets and personal turmoils is in my hands. I could exploit this woman!

Then Alyona put her hand on the front cover of the journal, preventing me from opening it. I looked at her with a stiff expression. She had guilt printed on her face. "Should we do this? Isn't this an invasion of privacy?" Alyona bit her lower lip. "This seems wrong." She added.

I shook my head. I desired to know everything about Wanda and Shelia. I had to mold Alyona into being my helper. "Aly," I made my voice gentle and sweet. "Remember how you said that you were afraid that they were not nice people?"

Alyona appeared perplexed. "Yes…But what does that have to do…" I cut her off. I gestured to the journal. "We could know all of her secrets." I urged.

Alyona's eyes glinted. "I guess you're right." She whispered. "But just a peek...maybe.." She gulped. Alyona removed her hand and I promptly opened the book. Me and Alyona's eyes are glued to the pages. Alyona scooted close to me to get a better look.

I read the first page. Wanda wrote many mundane events in her journal. Nothing interesting. I kept flipping through pages after pages to find something juicy.

"This fucking thing is just full of mundane shit!" I complained in my head silently. I frowned upon seeing all of the trivial and mundane shit in this broad's journal.

Then I found something. Yes! In the near end of the journal, I discovered Wanda's deep and darkest secrets.

The pages are not always dated. She would list the month and the day, but not the year. She wrote a page about Shelia. Months before the adoption.

"Whoa!" Alyona whispered in shock. Her eyes are scanning the private words.

November 18

Gemma is locked up and somehow managed to get a sentence for 3 months for child maltreatment. I thought she promised to clean up her act years ago! Me and Cole had to drive up to Colorado to pick up Shelia.

The passage is short, but informative. I flipped the page to see the update.

December 9

I have no idea how to handle Shelia. I really wish that Gemma got her the help she needed. I wished Gemma told us. I never thought about how to handle a child with RAD, (Reactive Attachment Disorder), bipolar and ODD, (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). Gemma told me and Cole that Shelia was always difficult, but damn!

Fortunately Shelia is going to her therapist now. We got the medications she needs. But her moods are just difficult.

Her behavior in general is just infuriating. Talking back, the disrespect, the rudeness, the screaming, the crying, and all of the arguing. It drives me insane. Thankfully Cole knows how to deal with Shelia. I think he is the only person who knows how other than the therapist.

I've been keeping a close eye on Shelia. Her behavioral issues are out of control. Every single time she opened her mouth, she would lie. She also has sticky fingers, I had to resort to hiding the snacks because she would steal them and stuff them under her bed. Shelia told me she hates me again.

I just don't know. I think the therapy is helping. But I think Shelia strongly dislikes me personally. Me and her has this strained relationship, I feel so stupid arguing with a little girl. But sometimes, her mouth can be very difficult to listen to. Cole is too nice, he can be stern, but Shelia knows how to butter Cole up.

"Wow." Was all I could uttered. Alyona appeared shocked. She raised an eyebrow. "What is RAD?"

"It is a attachment disorder. Some of these disorders usually come from abuse." I explained.

Alyona looked at me as if I knew all of the answers. "Even bipolar?"

"No. That's different." I said. I did not know that a child could have this much disorders. I felt more and more compassion for Shelia. I suffer from mental illness as well. Shelia will hopefully never be bad as me, but I know the pain of suffering illnesses. Unlike me, Shelia is on medications and has proper therapy. I only have my limited self control and willpower. Compared to me, Shelia has a better mental state than me.

I continued to turn the pages until I discovered something dark secret in Wanda Weiss's past.

"Holy shit!" I gasped. Alyona's eyes lit up with shock from my foul language. "What?"

I pointed my finger to the explosive reveal. This secret was something I never expected from a family like this. I attentively read a passage from nine months ago.

It's been six years since Sabrina drowned in that pool. I should have never trusted that irresponsible nanny! I was so upset and angry. I did horrible things after her death. Tried to drink the pain away, but that made it worse. The months after her death was terrible, unbearable. Cole and I blamed each other, fought all the time. I still remember the day that I filed the divorce papers after a heated argument.

I still can't believe we didn't divorce, we were so close. I already had the kids and a house to live in. Cole kept the original house and his sister kept him company.

Cole even got a girlfriend when we were separated. Some prissy bitch that I designed clothes for one time.

I can't describe how furious I was at Cole for moving on so quickly. The divorce wasn't even finalized yet and he already had a bitch in bed! I was just insulted. But I still loved him. Thankfully they broke up two months before the divorce was finalized and me and Cole got back together. I still remember how I discovered I was pregnant again. I was terrified. I felt guilty replacing Sabrina. But I wanted to honor her somehow. So I chose to name Sabrina after her older sister. A great way to remember by. Me and Cole went to marriage counseling and got a new house with no swimming pool here. I am so happy that we managed to make up and be a happy family again.

One day, I would like to extend my family to give my love and compassion to other unfortunate children.

I scanned all of Wanda's darkest moments. For a woman so beautiful and well off, she had deep depth to her. Her writing is passionate.

I was completely engrossed. Alyona was utterly uncomfortable, the secrets she learned was too much for her to comprehend. "I'm going to my room." She said as she promptly made her way to the bedroom door.

I was so fixated on this journal I didn't notice Alyona exiting the bedroom.

I flipped through more pages until I had no pages left. That was it. I was disappointed that I couldn't find more dirt on Wanda. But I had enough for now. A near divorce, a decreased child, drinking issues, Shelia's issues. All juicy subjects that I could exploit in the future. I decided to place the journal into its respective place. I leaped to my feet and hurried out of the bedroom.

"Mercy! ALYONA!" Sabrina sprinted upstairs to me. I only stared at her. I felt dirty knowing all of the secrets I know. To know that Sabrina is named after her deceased sister is morbid. Once the bubbly child wrapped her arms around me, a delightful smile grew on my face. I dismissed all of my thoughts at that moment and only focused on her. "Let's go into my room and play! Get Alyona!" She doesn't wait. Sabrina darted to Alyona's room and barged inside. "Alyona! Alyona! Come on!" She beckoned eagerly.

Alyona walked out of her bedroom, Sabrina grabbed her wrist and she tugged her forward. "Come on! Come on!" Sabrina squealed. She pointed her free hand with her bedroom. I hurried to her bedroom. Alyona entered the room with Sabrina. Sabrina immediately grabbed a pillow off of her bed and tossed it at Alyona playfully. Alyona is shocked at first, but then slowly smiled.

"Come on! Pillow fight!" Sabrina beamed. I couldn't help myself from containing my joy. I grabbed a pillow and hit her with it. I am giggling out of happiness. Alyona took time to decide to join in. Before I knew it, we were all engaging in a jubilant pillow fight.

The room was filled with laughter and giggles.

….

Wanda and Cole brought a sullen Shelia home two hours later. Wanda immediately began to make dinner. I stared down at Shelia and Cole from downstairs. I saw a diligent Melanie, who returned from her babysitting job, cleaning up all of the wrappings in the living room. Morgan sat at the table, her eyes glued on her Iphone. Cody was playing a video game on his Xbox in the living room, he sat on the couch, playing his game awhile Melanie cleaned.

Shelia hurried upstairs to her bedroom in a haste. She bypassed me and closed the door behind her.

I was seconds away from heading to Shelia's bedroom.

"Mercy! Sabrina! Alyona! Come downstairs for dinner!" Wanda yelled. I decided to give Shelia's space. I did not want her to lash out at me. Shelia needs space, not me being overbearing. I hurried downstairs to the dining table. "SHELIA! DINNER IS ALMOST READY!" Wanda shouted.

Once the other children make it to the dining table. Wanda appeared annoyed. She shot a glare at Cole. "Why isn't Shelia down here yet?" She served dinner, alfredo pasta and orange juice.

Cole exhaled. He remained composed. "I will get her." He said, getting out of his chair. "Shelia!" He raised his voice as he went upstairs. "Dinner is ready." His voice is firm, but soft.

"I'm not hungry!" Shelia shouted back.

Cole insisted. "You need to eat. You haven't eaten dinner yet. Come on, Shelia."

Shelia is stubborn for two minutes, refusing to eating. Cole had to coax and convince her to come out of her bedroom.

Shelia and Cole both headed downstairs to the dining table.

I don't know what Cole said to Shelia, but Shelia was silent. She didn't look at Wanda once. The dinner is silent and awkward.

After dinner, Shelia isolated herself in her bedroom. It was time for bed. I crawled into my bed and pondered deeply to myself.

All of the secrets and reveals I have learned burst in my mind. I needed to establish a maternal relationship with Shelia soon. I already had a tangible relationship with Sabrina.

I laid comfortably in my warm bed. I daydreamed about establishing my role here. I imagined how I would remove Wanda and her other children out of this household. Only in due time.

I am writing my other stories right now. Multitasking with each stories. Will have another chapter of Mercy and working on other stories. Reviews and thoughts.