Lily: Family Secret Revealed

By Rheanna

Ellas parents are always busy with their work, work, and work. It was time for Christmas! Ella and her sisters are going to celebrate Christmas at Nanas place. An unknown secret was discovered revealing shocking yet heartbreaking news. A troubled Ella finally realizes that what matters most is family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Nov 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543742817

Rheanna

Rheanna, aged 13, Malaysian, started narrating her creative imaginary stories at the age of 3. Family members love to hear her expressive fantasy stories, which later turned into long lengthy stories. She then got hooked into reading, and turning this into her passion, her dad inspired her to publish her debut novel at the age of 12.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was around midnight when I got home from shopping and hanging out in my friend Grace’s house with her older sister, and I felt exhausted. My body was so sore and I just wanted to tuck myself into my warm bed and scroll through my Instagram account.

As soon as I stepped into my house, I heard voices coming from the kitchen, so I looked at my watch: 12.17. Who would be here this late? I wondered. It was probably just my two younger sisters, Rachel and Kate. Curious, I placed my shopping bags on the floor and crept over to the kitchen quietly, careful not to startle whoever was in there. The moment I saw them, a wave of relief came over me.

‘Sweetheart, there you are,’ Mom’s gentle voice said.

‘Hey, Mom and Dad. What are you guys doing home now?’ I asked.

Mom and Dad looked at each other and then back at me, their expressions confused. ‘What do you mean?’ Dad asked.

‘Well, you guys are just never home this early.’

Both my parents are doctors—surgeons, to be more precise—and let’s just say they are very dedicated to their jobs. A little too dedicated. When I was four and Rachel was three before Katie was born, my parents hired a live-in nanny for my sisters and me because they were too busy to take care of us. Our nanny has grown pretty attached to us, and we are quite fond of her too.

‘That’s not true, honey,’ Dad said. Then Mom looked down at the floor and mumbled something I couldn’t make out and received a nod from Dad. ‘Honey, we came home early today because your mom and I have something important we wanted to tell all you girls.’ Dad frowned at me. ‘I guess it’ll just have to wait till tomorrow morning.’ Dad gave me a weak smile.

‘Oh, and one more thing, honey,’ Mom added. ‘Please wake everyone up before 6 a.m.’ My expression must have been too much because Mom said, ‘Um, I think seven wouldn’t be too bad, though we might be a little late to work.’ Mom looked over at Dad.

‘Mom,’ I said, annoyed at what she said. ‘OK, OK.’ It annoyed me how they could choose work over us.

Mom came closer to me and held both my shoulders. ‘I love you,’ she said and kissed me on the forehead.

‘Goodnight, Mom. Love you,’ I said, forcing a smile.

‘Goodnight, sunshine,’ Dad said.

I grabbed my shopping bags and climbed upstairs. As I walked through the corridor, I saw through the ajar door of Katie’s room that our nanny, Sierra, had fallen asleep in her oversized rocking chair with a storybook opened on her lap. Little Katie was sleeping peacefully in her bed, which was too huge for her. I smiled at the sight. It truly looked just as if it was taken out of a picture.

As I continued walking, I passed my other sister’s room. Rachel’s door was shut tight, but I could still hear the Chainsmokers’ song Closer playing faintly through it. I shook my head, smiling. Sure, she’s still awake.

I entered my room and put my shopping bags down. I’ll sort that out tomorrow. I put on my comfortable unicorn pyjamas and went into the kitchen to pour myself a cup of chamomile tea. Then I returned to my room and scrolled through Instagram for a while. I fell asleep not long after.

Chapter 2

I heard loud banging on my room door. I was so sleepy that I thought I was still dreaming. ‘Ella, wake up! Everyone is waiting for you!’

I snapped into concentration and jumped out of bed. ‘Coming,’ I managed while putting on a jumpsuit. I quickly gathered up my hair into a messy ponytail and headed downstairs.

‘Someone’s early,’ Rachel said.

I rolled my eyes. ‘Whatever. Sorry, Mom and Dad. Hope I’m not too late,’ I said, giving Mom and Dad an apologetic smile.

‘It’s all right, honey. Now, everyone, please settle down. We have some exciting and important news for you.’ Mom flashed us an attractive smile. ‘During Christmas this year, your dad and I will be working. So we’ve decided to send you kids on a holiday to your grandmother’s place in New Jersey!’

Rachel and I just looked at each other, and Katie’s mouth dropped open. ‘What?’ I asked.

‘I know! It’s going to be so fun,’ Mom said, clearly not understanding that we felt more unhappy about this than happy. We always spent Christmas together. It had been that way every year. It was basically the only time of year we got to bond as a family.

‘To Nana’s place?’ Katie asked Mom.

‘Yes, honey. To Nana’s.’

‘I’ve not been to New Jersey,’ I said.

‘Yeah, that’s the whole point. Now you get to go to New Jersey and spend your holidays with Nana, in a different environment,’ Dad said, smiling