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"Oh? Is it a surprise for Mom?" I asked, pretending to be curious.
Lily shook her head mysteriously. "It's not for you; it's for another—" She suddenly stopped, her eyes alert as she glanced at Mark, as if seeking guidance.
"It's for another teacher, right, sweetheart?" Mark chimed in, placing a plate of perfectly scrambled eggs and toast in front of Lily. "Eat up; don't be late for school today."
I felt as if an invisible hand had pushed me. "Another" what? What was she about to say? And why did Mark so quickly interrupt and change the subject?
"How's your dream, Lily?" I asked casually as I reached for my coffee cup. "What did you dream about last night?"
Lily chewed on her toast and mumbled, "I dreamed you were in a special room, but that you wasn't really you."
"What do you mean, not really me?"
"She looked like you, but her eyes were different." Lily pushed the scrambled eggs around her plate with her fork. "She was very sad and always alone."
Mark suddenly placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of me, interrupting our conversation. "What time does your presentation start?" he asked, his tone overly cheerful. "I've already prepared your briefcase; all the materials are inside."
I glanced at the wall clock. "At nine-thirty," I replied. "I should leave by eight."
"Then you'd better hurry and eat breakfast," Mark said, handing me a slice of whole wheat toast spread with butter. "Today is your big day."
I took a bite of the toast, but the food tasted like cardboard in my mouth. Mark's deliberate attempt to change the subject filled me with suspicion. I wanted to continue asking Lily about her dream, but Mark kept bustling between the kitchen and dining room, interrupting our every conversation.
"By the way," Mark said, glancing at his watch, "I have an urgent meeting this afternoon and might be home late. Can you pick up Lily from school?"
I nodded. "Of course; I'll go straight to school after my presentation."
"Great, thanks." Mark kissed my forehead and turned to Lily. "Are you ready, little princess? It's time to go."
Lily quickly stuffed her drawing into her backpack; I tried to catch a glimpse but only saw a chaotic mix of colors and lines. As she passed by me, I gently grabbed her wrist.
"I love you, Lily," I said softly, lowering my voice. "Later, can you tell me more about that 'other mom' in your dream? Just our little secret."
Lily's eyes widened as she nodded and hurried to catch up with Mark. As they walked toward the front door, I heard Lily quietly ask, "Dad, are we going to see another—"
The door closed, cutting off her words.
I stood alone in the suddenly empty kitchen, an inexplicable sense of loneliness washing over me. I looked at the spot where Lily had been sitting and noticed a small piece of paper left on the table. I picked it up; it was a corner of Lily's drawing—two similar female figures with long brown hair, one with brown eyes (like mine) and the other with unnaturally purple eyes. There was also a line written in childlike handwriting: "Mom and Alice."
Alice? The name struck me like lightning, sending a sharp pain through my head. I didn't know anyone named Alice, at least not that I could remember. But the name stirred something familiar within me, as if it were a deliberately forgotten memory.
My phone suddenly rang, startling me. It was Professor Lin.
"Anna, are you on your way? The investors arrived early; we need to start preparing."
"Let's set off right away," I replied, stuffing the piece of paper into my pocket, deciding to investigate later.
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