“The Price of Freedom

London had not fully awakened yet. The streets were silent, and the cold breath of the night still lingered in the air. In the distance, the occasional sound of a passing car could be heard, while a soft wind gently stirred the leaves of the trees. Morning light slowly spilled over the old brick houses, giving the entire street a calm and elegant atmosphere. At the very end of the street stood a large townhouse that immediately set itself apart from the others. Black iron gates, tall windows, and pale gray brick walls looked softer beneath the early morning light. The house was undeniably luxurious, yet its luxury was subtle — refined rather than extravagant. The lamps beside the front entrance were still glowing. Their warm golden light blended with the cold colors of dawn, making the house feel almost cinematic. The damp stone steps reflected the light faintly, as if the city’s breath had rested on them all night long. Even the small garden in front of the house looked perfectly arranged. Not a single fallen leaf was out of place. The hedges were trimmed evenly, and the white flowers somehow still appeared alive despite the cold air. And yet, beneath all that perfection… something felt cold. The feeling continued inside the house. The grand hallway walls were painted in a soft cream shade, while the floor was made of polished white marble. Morning light streamed through the enormous windows, casting pale reflections across the marble surface. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint smell of wooden furniture in the air. At the center of the living room stood a large black piano. Its glossy surface reflected the golden morning light pouring through the windows. Minimalist artwork hung on the walls — simple, yet undeniably elegant. Every detail looked carefully chosen. Outside, the sound of a fountain could still be heard. The gentle flow of water only made the silence inside the house feel deeper. Richard stood in the kitchen. He had already put on his black suit and was adjusting his tie. On the white marble counter beside him lay his phone, tablet, and several neatly organized folders. Notifications continuously lit up across his phone screen. Richard glanced at them briefly. “If today’s meeting runs late again, I might not make it back for dinner,” he said calmly. Claire poured coffee into a cup and gave a slight nod. “You say that every time.” She opened the tablet resting on the table. Interior sketches, fabric palettes, and design layouts filled the screen. “They want to change the colors again,” she said with visible frustration. “For the fourth time.” Richard let out a quiet laugh. “In the end, they’ll do it your way anyway.” Claire smiled faintly. “Because eventually they realize I’m right.” A moment later, soft footsteps echoed from the staircase. Mia walked downstairs. Her short light-brown bob looked soft beneath the morning light. A few slightly messy strands from sleep fell across her face. She wore a simple white sweater and loose trousers. There was almost no makeup on her face, yet despite the tiredness in her eyes, she still looked gentle. Claire smiled at her. “Did you sleep at all?” “Not really.” Richard glanced at his watch. “You have your presentation today?” “Yeah.” “Finished preparing?” Mia stayed silent for a few seconds. “Almost.” Claire slowly leaned back in her chair. “Almost doesn’t mean perfect, Mia.” The sentence sounded casual, but pressure hid beneath it. Mia lowered her gaze to the table. Richard took a sip of his coffee. “People never forget a first impression.” Silence settled over the house once again. Only the fountain continued flowing outside. Only the phone screens kept lighting up. Only the morning light slowly moved across the marble floor. Mia turned toward the window. Outside, the morning looked beautiful. She gently placed her cup onto the table. After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke carefully. “Anna and I were thinking about going to the movies after class today.” Claire looked at her. “In the evening?” “Yeah. Not too late.” Without lifting his eyes from his phone, Richard asked, “What movie?” “I don’t know yet. Anna wanted to choose.” Claire leaned back slowly in her chair. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with her lately.” Mia shrugged lightly. “She’s nice.” Richard remained quiet for a moment. “People aren’t always who they seem to be.” Mia immediately looked at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Claire held her coffee cup as she answered calmly, “We just want you to be careful.” “What’s wrong with Anna?” Claire exchanged a quick glance with Richard before looking back at Mia. “There were a lot of rumors about her last year.” Mia frowned. “What kind of rumors?” This time Richard placed his phone on the table. “Things that happened at the university.” Mia stayed silent. Claire continued. “Parties. Trouble. The wrong crowd.” “Half of that was gossip,” Mia said quietly. Richard’s gaze turned colder. “Rumors don’t appear for no reason.” The atmosphere inside the kitchen suddenly felt heavier. Mia clasped her hands together. “She’s never treated me badly.” Claire sighed softly. “Some people don’t look dangerous. But they still bring problems.” “You don’t even know her.” Richard stood up from his chair. Adjusting the sleeve of his suit, he spoke calmly. “We know how to read people, Mia.” The sentence was simple, but it carried the kind of weight that ended arguments. Mia looked back toward the window. Outside, the morning still looked beautiful. The fountain water continued to flow quietly. Claire softened her voice slightly. “We’re only trying to protect you.” Mia slowly nodded. “I understand.” But her voice didn’t sound like someone who truly did. Richard checked his watch once more. “If you go, don’t stay out too long.” Mia looked at him. It was permission. But it was also control. Richard walked toward the door. A car door shut outside. Claire handed him his coat. “Will you be home late again?” “Not sure yet.” He put on the coat and looked at Mia. “Keep your phone on.” “Okay.” Richard gave a short nod before leaving. A few seconds later, the sound of the car faded into the distance, and the house became quiet again. Claire began clearing the plates from the table while Mia remained seated, unmoving. “Are you upset?” Claire asked in her usual calm tone. “No.” Claire glanced at her. “You’ve always grown attached to people too quickly.” Mia smiled faintly. “Is that a bad thing?” Claire didn’t answer immediately. “Sometimes.” She carried the dishes into the kitchen. The sound of running water filled the silence. Mia walked toward the window. Outside, the streets were slowly beginning to wake up. A woman rode past on a bicycle, while somewhere in the distance, the door of a café opened for the morning. Her phone vibrated. Anna. “Are we still meeting at six today? 😊” Mia stared at the message for a moment before typing slowly: “Yeah. I might be a little late.” The reply came instantly. “That’s fine. I’ll wait for you.” Mia kept looking at the screen for several seconds. Claire returned from the kitchen. “She texted you?” “Yeah.” “So you’re still going.” It wasn’t a question. Mia turned off her phone and placed it on the table. “We’re just going to watch a movie.” Claire nodded slowly. “Some things always begin innocently.” Mia looked at her mother. “Why do you dislike Anna so much?” Claire fell silent for a few seconds. “I don’t dislike her.” “Then why do you always talk about her like that?” Claire turned toward the window. Morning light rested softly against her face. “Because I don’t want you regretting things later.” Mia said nothing. Claire stepped closer and gently tucked a loose strand of Mia’s bob behind her ear. “Some people look beautiful,” she said quietly. “But when you stay around them… your life slowly starts changing.” Mia avoided her mother’s gaze. A strange feeling settled inside her chest. As if those words weren’t only about Anna. Mia walked upstairs. The house had returned to its usual silence. From downstairs, only the sound of the fountain and Claire’s distant voice could still be heard. She closed the door to her bedroom and tossed her phone onto the bed. The room was spacious and bright. Morning sunlight poured through the large windows. Near the window stood a small desk with an open notebook, a laptop, and a half-finished cup of coffee resting on top. Books lined the shelves, and in one corner sat a collection of old vinyl records. Mia pulled the curtain aside slightly. Below, Claire was walking through the garden while talking on the phone. One hand brushed lightly against the rose bushes while the other held the phone tightly. “No, that’s exactly what I’m trying to explain!” Claire said, her voice sharper now. The irritation in her tone was impossible to miss. “If they change the color again, the entire balance will fall apart.” Mia stood quietly by the window. Claire paced a few steps before stopping again. “I’ve spent three weeks working on this project…” The wind moved softly through her hair, but she barely seemed to notice. “No, I’m not compromising.” A few seconds of silence followed. Claire closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, in a colder voice, she said: “Then they can find another designer.” She ended the call and slowly lowered her phone. For several moments, she simply stood there in the middle of the garden. Even from upstairs, Mia could tell her anger hadn’t disappeared. Her phone vibrated again. Anna: “Are you okay?” Mia looked down at the screen before replying: “Yeah. Things are normal at home.” The response came almost immediately. “So they interrogated you again? 😭” Mia laughed quietly despite herself. “Maybe.” “Then tonight I’m taking you somewhere you can live like a normal person.” Mia reread the message. Live like a normal person. It sounded like a joke, yet somehow it struck something deep inside her. From downstairs, Claire called out: “Mia! The driver will be here in thirty minutes!” “Okay!” Mia walked toward her closet. She stared at the clothes for a few seconds before pulling out a black leather jacket from the side. She had bought it together with Anna. “It looks too rough,” Claire had once said. Mia slipped the jacket on and looked at herself in the mirror. Her short bob looked different with it somehow. For the first time, she felt like she didn’t completely belong in this house. And strangely enough… she liked that feeling. When Mia came downstairs, Claire was still in the garden. She held her phone in one hand, speaking more calmly now, though the sharpness in her voice still remained. “No, I already told you… if that detail changes, the entire concept falls apart,” she said after a short pause.