MIRIAM: Misfortune— I refused to never be seen

Morning arrived the way it always did inside the Angelo mansion. Quiet, Elegant and Indifferent. Golden sunlight slipped through the enormous glass windows, spreading across polished marble floors that reflected every expensive detail of the house. Crystal chandeliers shimmered above empty hallways while servants moved about their morning duties with practiced efficiency. Everything inside the mansion looked alive. Everything except Miriam Angelo. She stood before the full-length mirror in her bedroom, carefully adjusting the collar of her graduation gown. Seventeen. Today marked the end of secondary school. For most students, graduation was a celebration. For Miriam, it was simply another date on the calendar. She straightened the sleeves of the gown before placing the graduation cap on her head. It fit perfectly. She stared at her reflection for a long moment. The girl in the mirror wasn’t ugly. Neither was she extraordinary. She was simply here, Existing. Just enough to be seen yet Never enough to be remembered. A faint smile appeared on her lips before disappearing almost immediately “What exactly am I smiling for?” she whispered to herself. The room remained silent. Silence had become her longest companion. Her bedroom was beautiful—larger than many apartments, furnished with imported furniture, decorated with soft cream walls and elegant paintings. People often assumed beautiful rooms created happy lives. They were wrong. Miriam picked up her small handbag from the bed before her eyes drifted toward the photograph resting on her bedside table. A young man wearing a military uniform smiled confidently at the camera. Xavier Angelo. Her eldest brother. Her hero. The only member of the family who had ever looked at her as though she mattered. She gently picked up the frame. “You promised you’d come to my graduation.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I know you didn’t break your promise.” A tiny smile touched her lips. “You just… couldn’t keep it.” Her thumb brushed across Xavier’s photograph. “I still miss you.” She placed the frame back exactly where it had been. Then she left her room. The dining room was already occupied. Nathaniel Angelo sat at the head of the long dining table, reading business reports while drinking black coffee. Luciana Angelo scrolled through her tablet, occasionally giving instructions to one of the housemaids. Victor, Miriam’s older brother, barely looked away from his phone. Juliana was speaking excitedly about a project at work. No one noticed when Miriam entered. She quietly pulled out a chair and sat down. A maid immediately served breakfast Not because anyone asked Because routine demanded it. For several minutes, conversations continued around her. Company profits. Investments. Business meetings. Juliana’s promotion. Victor’s latest achievement. Miriam ate in silence. Eventually, Luciana glanced up. “Oh.” Her eyes rested on Miriam for a second. “I almost forgot.” Forgot, Such a small word, a familiar one though “Your graduation is today.”Miriam nodded. “Yes.” Luciana smiled politely. “Congratulations.” “Thank you.” Nathaniel didn’t look up from his documents. “Congratulations.” Victor never raised his head. Juliana smiled warmly. “I’m sorry I can’t come. I have an important meeting.” “It’s okay.” Nathaniel finally spoke. “I’ll have the driver take you.” Miriam looked at him. “Will any of you be coming?” The question wasn’t emotional. It was just simple and Direct but Silence answered first. Then Nathaniel cleared his throat. “I have shareholders arriving before noon.” Luciana spoke next. “The charity foundation has an event.” Juliana sighed apologetically. “You already know about my meeting.” Victor shrugged. “I’ve got training.”Miriam nodded once. “I understand.” Ofcourse she always do so She stood. “Good luck,” Luciana called after her. “Thank you.” She walked away before anyone noticed that none of them had actually wished to be there. The school campus looked completely different from the quiet mansion. Music echoed through the grounds. Students laughed loudly. Parents hugged their children. Teachers rushed from one building to another. Bouquets of flowers filled every corner. Cars lined the entrance as proud families arrived one after another. Miriam stepped through the school gate alone. No one walked beside her. She had grown used to it Still Some things never stopped hurting. Two girls from her class noticed her almost immediately. “Look.” “She’s alone.” The second girl laughed. “I told you nobody was coming.” Miriam continued walking. One of them called after her “Graduation day and your family’s still too busy?” She stopped and Turned slowly to them “why don’t you mind your business” she turned and continued walking. Behind her… The laughter sounded less confident than before. Inside the graduation hall, rows upon rows of chairs stretched across the room. Students sat together with their families. Parents adjusted gowns. Mothers wiped away tears. Fathers checked cameras. Children waved excitedly. Miriam found her seat. Empty chairs surrounded her Not because people hadn’t arrived but Because those seats had never been reserved. The ceremony began. One student after another walked across the stage. Applause filled the hall repeatedly. Cheers echoed from every direction. Then… “Miriam Angelo.” The announcer’s voice echoed through the microphone. She stood and Walked calmly toward the stage. Accepted her certificate with both hands. “Congratulations,” the principal said kindly. “You have a bright future.” Miriam smiled politely. “I hope so.” She walked back down. No applause reached her ears beyond the polite clapping everyone received. No one called her name. No one waved. No one raised a camera. She returned to her seat exactly as quietly as she had left it. By the time the ceremony ended, families flooded the courtyard. Photographs. Laughter. Tears. Celebration and Life. Miriam stepped outside and called the family driver. The drive back to the Angelo estate was quiet. Miriam sat beside the window, watching the city pass by in blurred fragments. A little girl hugged a bouquet almost as big as herself. A father carried his sleepy son on his shoulders. Two brothers argued over who had taken the better graduation pictures. Ordinary and Simple moments. The kind that somehow felt impossible for her. The driver kept both hands on the steering wheel. He had worked for the Angelo family for years. He had watched Miriam grow from a quiet child into an even quieter young woman. Several times, he glanced at her through the rear-view mirror, as though he wanted to say something But he never did. People inside the Angelo household had learned that silence was safer than concern. When the car finally stopped before the mansion, the massive gates opened automatically. Everything looked exactly as it had that morning. Perfect. Untouched. Unaffected. The servants greeted her politely as she entered.“Welcome home, Miss Miriam.” She smiled gently. “Thank you.” Their kindness was genuine But kindness from strangers could never replace affection from family. She climbed the staircase slowly. Halfway up, she stopped. The hallway walls were covered with family portraits. Nathaniel and Luciana. Victor receiving an academic award. Juliana during her university graduation. Family vacations. Business ceremonies. Birthday celebrations. Then… Xavier. His portrait stood slightly apart from the others. Military uniform. Confident smile. Eyes filled with the kind of warmth Miriam had searched for ever since he died. She stood before the frame. “I graduated today.” Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “They all said congratulations.”mA sad smile appeared. “I don’t think they meant it.”mHer fingers rested gently against the frame.m“You would have come.”she laughed softly to herself. “You would have embarrassed me by cheering louder than everyone else.”nSilence answered As it always did.nShe closed her eyes for a moment. “I still want to join the army.”mHer smile disappeared “I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”Her eyes became wet. She blinked quickly. “No, you always told me soldiers don’t cry before the battle” She wiped away the tears before they could fall. “I’ll try.” With one last look at Xavier’s picture, she continued upstairs. Evening arrived quietly. The dining room glowed beneath warm lights as the family gathered around the long table. Nathaniel discussed an upcoming shareholders’ meeting. Victor spoke about his latest business proposal. Juliana explained a successful presentation from work. Luciana listened while occasionally correcting small details. Miriam sat where she always did. Present Yet somehow absent. A maid served dinner. The sound of cutlery against porcelain filled the spaces where conversation never reached her. Halfway through the meal, Luciana finally looked in her direction. “So…” She smiled politely. “How was graduation?” Miriam swallowed before answering. “It was fine.” “Good.” Luciana nodded once before returning to her meal. That was all, No question about her, none. Nathaniel spoke again. “Juliana.” “Yes, Father?” “I’d like you to begin attending executive meetings next month.” Juliana smiled brightly. “Thank you.”Victor chuckled. “Looks like someone’s becoming the boss.” Everyone laughed except Miriam. Nathaniel looked toward Victor. “And your expansion proposal has been approved.” “Finally.” Victor grinned. “I knew you’d agree.” Luciana raised her glass. “To the future.” They all did but Miriam quietly continued eating. Nathaniel noticed. “You didn’t raise your glass.” She looked up.“I wasn’t invited.” Everyone went quiet. Victor frowned “What does that mean?” Miriam placed her fork down. “It means…” She searched for the right words. “…I don’t think I’ve ever been part of the future everyone talks about in this house.” Juliana looked uncomfortable. “Miriam…”Nathaniel sighed. “You’re overthinking again.” “Am I?” She met his eyes calmly. “When was the last time any of you asked what I wanted?” Nobody answered. Luciana folded her hands together. “We’ve always wanted what’s best for you.” “What is best for me?” Luciana hesitated. Nathaniel answered instead. “A stable future.” Miriam smiled sadly. “Whose future?” “Our family’s.” There it was Not hers, the family’s.She nodded slowly.”I see.” Nathaniel continued. “You’ll begin learning the company after the holidays.” Miriam looked at him. “I won’t.” Victor laughed. “You don’t have a choice.” “I do.” Nathaniel’s expression hardened. “And what exactly do you intend to do?” The question hung heavily over the dining room. Miriam glanced toward Xavier’s portrait hanging beyond the dining room doors, then. “I want to join the army.” Everywhere became quiet. “The army?” Victor reacted. Juliana stared at her. “Miriam…” Luciana shook her head immediately. “No.” Nathaniel’s voice remained calm. “But firm.” “Absolutely not.” “Why?” Luciana looked shocked. “You know why.” “No.” Miriam’s voice remained steady. “I want to hear you say it.” Nathaniel leaned back. “We already lost Xavier.” “So?” “He died.” “Yes?.” “He gave his life serving this country.” “Ok?” Nathaniel’s patience began to fade. “I’m not losing another child.” The words echoed through the room For a brief moment…Miriam almost believed them. “You don’t need to bother about my death, and even if I do, you won’t get to notice” Miriam said firmly and stood up, walking straight to her room “come back here” her father bark but she’s already gone