Once upon a time, there was a scholar of unparalleled brilliance. Rather than trading his wisdom for wealth and status among the smart and powerful, he chose to live in seclusion deep within the forest.
He immersed himself in an ocean of knowledge, hoping his research would free everyone in the world from the agony of parting with their loved ones.
As years slipped by, no amount of books could dispel the scholar's profound loneliness. Gradually, he was enveloped and devoured by the darkness of his heart.
Then one day, a princess who had lost her way in the forest stumbled upon the scholar's cabin and rescued him from the terrible darkness that had consumed him.
The scholar was captivated by the princess's beauty, while she admired his brilliance. And so, they lived happily ever after...
Daddy, this story is so weird! In fairy tales, it's always the guy who goes into the forest to save the girl. Why is this story the other way around?
Ahh, I see what it is! Bet this is how you and Mom met, right?
Oh my, you're always so smart, my smart little Dolores.
Unhappy with the story, the little girl cut her father's storytelling short.
But her father wasn't upset at all. Looking at his daughter, he breaks into a gentle smile.
So, why did you call Mommy your princess? Is it because she's as beautiful as a princess?
Haha, your mommy is certainly as beautiful as a princess, but what's most important is that she came to my rescue back when I had nothing to show for what I had done.
And that's what makes her my princess. Capiche?
Aww—what about me? You love Mommy, but do you love me?
Hahaha! Of course, Dolores. You're my little princess, and I love you to no end!
Linus lifted his pouting daughter high into the air and spun her around and around until she finally burst into giggles.
Bathed in morning sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Linus and Dolores shared a moment of perfect happiness.
C'mon, Daddy, spin me faster!
Easy now, Linus. Be careful so she doesn't fall.
What are you guys up to, Dolores? I don't usually see you so excited.
A young woman slowly wheeled herself into the room, her elegant attire unable to conceal her pale, sickly complexion.
Linus quickly set Dolores down and rushed forward to take his wife's hand with concern.
Isabel, why are you up so early? How are you feeling today?
Didn't the doctor tell you to stay in bed?
It's fine. I just got bored and thought I'd rather be up and about for a bit.
Mommy!
Dolores threw herself into her mother's arms and clung to her neck affectionately.
Easy there with your mother, Dolores! Remember what I told you about your mom?
Dolores, however, pouted at her father's scolding and remained in her mother's embrace, refusing to let go.
Linus, it's okay. I'm fine.
Your hair is all messy. Come here, let me brush it for you.
Dolores settled quietly on her mother's lap like a little kitten and allowed those gentle hands to smooth her tangled hair and weave it into an elegant hairdo.
Isabel always carried that subtle fragrance, and her touch was forever gentle.
I love being with Mommy like this.
Mommy seems perfectly healthy. Why does Daddy always tell me that Mommy needs to rest and that I shouldn't disturb her?
Not to mention that Daddy always looks mad when he says those things.
But in Isabel's embrace, Dolores quickly forgot what her father had said.
When Isabel finished fixing her hair, Dolores quickly climbed onto her mother's lap like an agile kitten, before her father could even tell her to stop.
Mommy, how did you and Daddy meet? Did you get lost in the forest and then run into him?
C'mon, Daddy made that up. You didn't really think that's what happened, did you?
Your dad was a very talented scientist. He was a "wizard" on a certain level.
We met in the lab where he worked.
Well, how did Daddy do his... magic... when he still worked as a "wizard"?
It wasn't magic. He was doing an extraordinary experiment.
It was a remarkable experiment. He wanted to transfer human thoughts... and put them into little robots.
People would be able to live happily ever after forever with their loved ones had your dad succeeded.
Wow... sounds like an amazing experiment...
Unfortunately, no one else believed in what your dad was doing, which is why I purchased the lab. I wanted him to be able to focus on what he was doing.
You... what? What does "purchase" mean?
And why didn't people believe him when he was so brilliant and amazing?
C'mon, Daddy, you can do it!
Linus walked over. He broke into a smile as he gently patted his daughter's head.
Without giving Dolores a piece of his mind for staying on her mother's lap, he quietly held Dolores up and cradled her in his arms.
Let's not talk about this anymore. It's all behind us now, and, you see... I'm not even working on that project anymore.
I'll have the butler clean out all that equipment from the basement lab to free up the space.
I'd much rather spend time with you, Isabel.
...
A fleeting trace of melancholy crossed Isabel's face, but before she could say anything, she was suddenly interrupted by a violent fit of coughing.
...Cough, cough... Ugh!
Dolores watched her mother in helpless panic, completely at a loss for what to do.
Isabel! ...Hurry up and get us the doctor!
Linus anxiously set Dolores down and rushed to Isabel's side, all the while shouting repeatedly at the doorway.
...I'm fine, don't worry...
Hearing his master's call, the butler hurried into the room, his face heavy with concern.
Madam, the doctor is already on his way.
How are you feeling, Madam?
I'm fine, really... Let's drop this already, so the doctor doesn't have to come all the way here for nothing.
Isabel shakes her head gently, takes a moment to steady her breathing, then forces a tender smile, trying to put everyone at ease.
Summer vacation is almost over for Dolores, and we haven't even taken a family trip yet.
Edmond, please ask them to clean up our beach villa for us. Now is the perfect season for a short stay there.
Isabel, I really don't think you should travel as you are. You see...
But Isabel simply shakes her head gently, then turns to the butler to arrange their trip.
How soon can the villa be ready?
Rest assured, Madam. As I do every summer, I've already made the arrangements. The villa is prepared and ready for your arrival at any time.
That's wonderful... I can't imagine running this family without you, Edmond.
Is my duck float still there? And all those dolls in the attic? It's been ages since our last visit!
Of course, Dolores. I've instructed the staff there to keep everything safe and sound for you.
Wow! Edmond, you're amazing! You never let anything go amiss!
It's an honor to receive such praise from you, Dolores.
Well then, Sir, Madam, if you'll excuse me for now. I must attend to the travel arrangements.
The butler quietly withdraws and gently closes the door behind him, leaving the Everetts in privacy.
Yet behind the heavy door, the room remains as quiet as ever.
As nightfall settles over the mansion, gentle moonlight spills into every corner of the estate.
Deep into the night, Isabel remains seated in Dolores' bedroom, gazing tenderly at her daughter lost in dreams.
Several times she reaches out to caress her daughter's face, only to withdraw her hand slowly, afraid of waking her. She now smiles at Dolores' sweet little face as she looks at her.
She remains there until a hand rests upon her shoulder. Without a word, she reaches up and grasps her husband's hand.
Isabel, it's late. You should get some rest. We're leaving for the beach house early tomorrow, remember?
To her husband's gentle reminder, Isabel shakes her head, never taking her eyes off her daughter's face.
I just want to look at her like this. Even a few minutes more is precious to me.
I really don't know... how much longer I still have.
Linus kneels before his wife, hands on her shoulders, gazing deeply into her melancholic eyes.
Hey, come on. Didn't the doctor say your condition was stable? If you just take care of yourself, I'm sure things are gonna...
I know what's going on with my body, and I know I don't have much time left with you guys.
I thought if I could just have a few good years with you before I'm gone... then I guess I'd be perfectly happy.
But since Dolores came into our lives, I've been wanting to have just a few more years to live... just to see her grow up...
I just hope she grows up healthy and all and never has to suffer from this incurable disease I have...
...
I'll figure this out, I promise... No matter what happens, I'll always be with you, my love.
Linus holds his wife tightly. The moonlight outside remains gentle, but to him, the waning moon appears nothing but a painful reminder that he's slowly losing Isabel.
No light can shine upon Linus' grief-stricken heart, not even the light of the moon hanging in the night sky.
The next day, away from the Everett mansion, the family visits the long-missed beach. In the gentle ocean breeze and brilliant sunshine, the family seems somewhat relieved of the unavoidable.
Dolores races about excitedly on the long-missed beach, her laughter carried far by the sea breeze while her parents watch her adoringly from under a nearby parasol.
Even her mother's normally pallid face now glows with a hint of color in the gentle sunshine.
After playing on her duck-shaped float for a while, Dolores soon catches sight of something new on the beach that captures her interest.
Her eyes widen with wonder at the tiny hermit crabs inching across the fine white sand.
Dolores gingerly reaches out her hand and, after several attempts, manages to catch the biggest hermit crab.
Satisfied, she holds the hermit crab between her fingers, watching curiously as the little creature flails its tiny claws.
Hey, hey, hey... stay right there! Got you now, little guy!
Dad, Mom, look! I caught a super big hermit crab!
Dolores runs to her parents, beaming with excitement as she proudly displays her "prize catch."
Hey, be careful there so your fingers don't get hurt.
It's okay, Mom. I'm not scared of it at all.
Look at you, my brave little Dolores.
Can I please take it home and keep it in our big aquarium, Mom?
That won't do, sweetie. That's your mother's prized aquarium—we can't use it to keep these little critters.
With it, Dolores pouts with disappointment and turns hopefully toward Isabel.
Dolores, let's return your little friend to the ocean. That's where it truly belongs.
Its mom and dad might be waiting for it to come home to their little house under the sea.
Hearing what Isabel said, Dolores relents and nods obediently.
Okay then!
She gently carries the hermit crab as she scurries back to the shoreline, where she puts it in the lapping waves.
Goodbye, little friend.
Having done as told, Dolores dashes back to her mother's side for a compliment.
What she sees, however, isn't a smiling Isabel, for her mother's face is now pale and contorted in pain.
...
Dolores watches Isabel slump helplessly from her wheelchair onto the ground.
Mommy, what's going on?! Mommy!
Isabel!
Their brief moment of happiness shatters as a familiar, heavy shadow of misfortune silently descends once more upon the Everett family.
Dolores has been sitting in the hospital hallway for hours. The harsh air conditioning chills her to the bone, and the hard chair offers no comfort.
The hours drag on into the night, but her father hasn't emerged from her mother's hospital room. To kill time, Dolores fidgets with the ribbons on her dress.
Edmond, why isn't Daddy coming out yet? And when can Mommy come home with us?
...Dolores, your father has asked me to take you home first.
No, I don't want that! I'm waiting for Mommy and Daddy to come home with me! Daddy, why are you taking so looong—
Dolores darts into the hospital room only to find her usually gentle, soft-spoken father gripping the doctor's collar and shouting furiously into his face.
What do you mean by "there's nothing more we can do"? Do you have any idea how much money we've donated to this hospital, and now you have the nerve to tell me this?
Quack! Useless!! Worthless!!!
His face ashen with rage, Linus shoves the doctor to the floor and storms out of the room, completely ignoring his little daughter trembling in the corner.
Daddy... Mommy...
HuDDled in the corner, Dolores freezes in helpless confusion.
Edmond rushes into the room, helps the doctor up from the floor, and offers profuse apologies.
I'm so terribly sorry about this! Linus is just... he's having difficulty accepting the news all at once, which is why he...
Sigh. I understand, but I was telling it as it is.
From across the room, Dolores watches her mother lying unconscious, surrounded by medical equipment. She longs to go and give her a hug, but Edmond holds her back.
Dolores, your mother... Is asleep. It's best not to leave her alone.
Let me take you home.
In her luxurious bedroom, Dolores clutches a giant teDDy bear tightly. Stuffed animals and dolls of every size crowd her bed, cover the floor, and fill every corner of her room.
Even with Edmond bringing every toy from the entire house to fill her room, she still feels afraid.
Edmond, when will Mommy come home to be with me? I'm so scared... I can't sleep...
And Daddy... I haven't seen him for so many days... Where are they? Sob...
Dolores... your father will be busy for a while. As for your mother, she...
I'll be standing guard right outside your door. If you need anything at all, just call for me. Goodnight, Dolores.
With a bow, Edmond backs out of the room and gently closes the door behind him.
Feeling lonely and helpless in the darkness, Dolores bites her lip, trying to hold back her tears. Finally, clutching her teDDy bear, she breaks down sobbing. She cries for what seems like forever before she falls asleep from fatigue.
In her dark, hazy dreamworld, something like a gentle hand caresses Dolores' face while soft humming lingers by her ears.
Sleep now, sleep in peace, my daughter.
I'll love you forever. Everything good that the world has to offer shall be with you.
A bouquet of roses, a bouquet of lilies—when you wake up, my darling, they'll all be yours.
Dolores jolts awake from her dream, her eyes flying openDbut the room remains completely empty.
...Mommy?
Dolores doesn't even stop to put on her shoes as she flings open the door, desperately searching for her mother. But the hallway is completely emptyDeven Edmond, who promised to stand guard, is nowhere to be seen.
The only sound is a distant argument coming from the basementDit's her father and Edmond. Following the sound, Dolores tiptoes down the stairs.
The door to her father's laboratory—a place she was never allowed to enter—stands ajar, spilling out a beam of light and the sounds of an increasingly heated argument.
Too afraid to enter, Dolores decides instead to hide outside the door and eavesdrop on the argument between her father and the butler.
With all due respect, Linus, what you're doing is absolutely unconscionable, even if you're the one running the family business now!
I've been serving the Everetts since Isabel was just a little girl. I watched her grow up, all the way to this very day.
She was a woman of dignity—not some puppet for you to manipulate as you please!
Now that she's no longer with us, she deserves to rest in peace—not to be used as your... "test subject"!
Who are you to speak to me like that? You're just a butler!
As you just pointed out, I am the one running the family business now. That gives me every right to do whatever I please.
Linus! Don't forget who you were—just a starving scientist without a penny to your name! Where exactly do you think you'd have found yourself today if it weren't for Isabel?
I can't believe Isabel fell for a two-faced scoundrel like you!
What did you just say? You better shut your trap now, you little ****!
The sound of something being violently smashed echoes through the door, followed by her father's increasingly furious curses.
...
In a dark corner where no one noticed her, Dolores, all tearful, crouches down and wraps her arms tightly around herself, alone with her grief.
