Haunted Hearts

Chapter 2: Her Past

Raeliana Ackerman had been an unusual child—studious and quiet. She preferred to believe she became who she was because she lost her mother at the age of ten, spending the rest of her childhood as a lone female amidst the company of men. Her father's house often served as a dormitory for various male colleagues. However, those who knew Raeliana, including Isabella and other colleagues, did not attribute her shyness to the overwhelming male presence.

Heinz Ackerman had one overriding passion in his life since his wife Camille died, and it was his work. In the Ackerman household, it was not uncommon for days, even weeks, to pass without little Raeliana seeing her father, despite their shared residence. Raeliana would recall running to her father's laboratory, excited to show off her new blue satin stash. Unfortunately, he might as well have been just like one of his patients, for he was unable to notice her presence. The idea that perhaps her father had been neglecting her wasn't even possible. Her father provided her with everything a little girl could want—toys, dresses, and more—except his attention. Yet, even as a child, Raeliana had found that she was self-sufficient to a fault. Without any playmates, she happily learned to play by herself. Without a mother to guide her, she taught herself the arts of needlepoint and watercolors.

Then came the day of discovery. Her father had been glued to his notebooks, scribbling his latest techniques, and Raeliana happened to come in with a cup of tea. As usual, his thoughts were elsewhere, littered with hypotheses, clouded by theorem. Normally, she would not bother him, but on that day, he was working with a deaf five-year-old boy whom she noticed had slipped from his mama's grasp, walked right into their parlor, and had begun to pound on the piano keys.

Without even thinking about it, Raeliana mentioned to her father before leaving that she believes the child had responded to the various vibrations of the piano. She then placed the tea tray beside her father's elbow, and to her surprise, watched her father's head jerk upright.

Heinz Ackerman stared at his daughter who was fourteen that time, as if he never quite noticed her before. Intrigued by the possibilities, he dragged Raeliana to the parlor along with the child and began experimenting. It was the first time Raeliana actually felt a connection with her father, and she never let it go. From that day forward, she had found her place at her father's life. Science was essentially closed to her, given her s*x, there was no hope of a formal education because even the well-respected Dr. Ackerman coudn't break the barriers his colleagues had placed before women. Nonetheless, she became his assistant.

Raeliana found that if she could talk to his father about his work, then all the lonely hours in the schoolroom will be over. She had hope to finally get her father to notice her. The work was interesting, and her father never treated her like a woman. She had always been a special kind of colleague to him. He gave her everything her mind can absorb, regardless of her s*x, regardless of her youth. But unfortunately, youth itself was harsh.

With her father's death, Raeliana's youth came to an end, leaving her adrift in grief. Yet, there was Sean—handsome and witty with dirty blonde hair. Amidst sorrow, her dream might finally come true. There was now no reason to prioritize work over more earthly needs like love, marriage, and starting a family. The time had come, and she pleaded for them to unite in marriage. Surely, Sean understood this too, but he made it clear that it was not what he wanted. Patiently, Sean explained why the answer was no.