A forsaken husband with a sick daughter bought a dilapidated house in a small town, but after hearing strange sounds from an old well, he decided to descend. What he saw made his hair stand on end…..

Eternal. Isn’t that better than short human life full of pain and disappointments?» Olivia approached Sophie and placed a hand on her shoulder. From the touch, the girl became even more transparent.

Besides, she’ll be bored alone. «I thought I could take you too. You’re a kind person.

Descended when I called. Helped me out. Isn’t it fair if I repay the same? I don’t want to.

Want or not, doesn’t matter. What matters is it will happen. But you have a choice—agree voluntarily or resist.

From that depends if it hurts.» Nicholas realized he had very little time left. Sophie was becoming more transparent, her breathing slowing.

A bit more, and changes would be irreversible. He remembered the book Aunt Vera gave, and words that the spirit can be appeased by giving what it really wants. Not a child, but peace.

Olivia, he said, trying to speak calmly. I understand why you do this. You’re lonely.

It hurts. But taking us won’t rid you of pain. It will.

I’ll have a family. But we won’t love you by force. Love doesn’t work that way.

You know yourself, Victor didn’t truly love you, or he wouldn’t leave. Olivia’s face twisted in anger: don’t dare mention his name. Why? Because it still hurts.

15 years passed, and you still can’t forgive. He ruined my life. He acted basely.

But you ruined your life yourself when you decided you couldn’t live without him. Olivia released Sophie and turned to Nicholas. In her eyes blazed cold fire: you don’t understand.

I loved him. I gave him everything. And what? Love doesn’t give right to own a person.

Victor made his choice. Base, cruel, but his. And you decided better to die than live with it.

Because living was unbearable. Was. Then.

But pain passes if you let it go. You cling to it like treasure. Nicholas saw his words touched her.

Olivia was losing control, meaning her power over Sophie weakened. The girl was becoming more material again. Know what I think? He continued.

You’re not afraid of pain. You’re afraid… To forget.

Afraid if you release the grudge, nothing will remain of your love. Not true. True.

But love isn’t grudge. Love is ability to wish happiness to another, even if he caused you pain. You can love Victor and let him go at the same time.

Olivia sank to her knees, and tears flowed from her eyes. Unusual tears, glowing like drops of molten silver. «I don’t know how,» she whispered.

«I’ve lived with this pain so long. It became part of me. Then let me help.»

Not by force, not coercion. Humanly. Nicholas felt the invisible wall disappear.

He approached Olivia and carefully sat beside. «Tell me about him.» «Not how he left you.

What he was like when you were happy.» And Olivia began telling. Nicholas didn’t sleep the rest of the night.

He sat by Sophie’s bed, holding a homemade cross carved from wood. Not that he was especially religious, but now ready to grasp any straw. Toward morning, Sophie spoke in her sleep.

First indistinctly, then clearer: yes, Aunt Olivia? «Understand. Won’t tell Dad. Our secret.»

Nicholas gently shook his daughter, and she woke with a guilty expression. She came again. He asked.

Sophie nodded, lowering her eyes. «What did she say?» «Said she’ll come for me soon.» «And you shouldn’t know?» «Said if I tell you, you’ll drown in the well too.»

Nicholas clenched his fists. Whoever this Olivia was, she knew how to manipulate a child’s mind. In the morning, he took Sophie to Aunt Vera.

The old woman agreed to watch the girl, though crossing herself. «Bad business,» she said. «Olivia clings to your daughter.

Need to do something.» What exactly? Need to call a priest. Let him bless the well, drive out evil.

But the nearest priest lived in the county seat, sixty miles away. And time passed, and each day Sophie became paler, more detached. Nicholas decided to act alone…