Yours In Silence

Chapter 15: Flickers Of Doubt

Saturday, January 25th.

The Christmas lights were mostly gone now—only a few stubborn houses still glowed at night, including the Voss home. Vanessa had left the porch strands up “for a little longer,” saying the snow looked prettier with color. Elara secretly loved it; every twinkle reminded her of Julian’s tree, still fully decorated because neither of them could bear to take it down.

Vanessa had the weekend off—a rare occurrence—and she was using it to “reconnect” with her daughter. Breakfast in pajamas, a mall trip for new semester clothes, baking the last of the holiday cookie dough that had been frozen since December.

Elara tried to be present. She really did.

But her mind kept drifting to Tuesday. To Julian’s bed. To the way he’d whispered “stay forever” in the dark last time.

Vanessa noticed.

It started small.

At breakfast, Elara smiled at her phone under the table—a good-morning text from Julian.

Vanessa’s eyes flicked down, then back up. “Popular these days.”

“Just Mia,” Elara lied smoothly. “Group project stuff.”

Vanessa nodded, but her gaze lingered.

Later, at the mall, Elara tried on a soft emerald sweater—the same shade as her Christmas Eve dress. She stepped out of the fitting room, twirling.

“What do you think?”

Vanessa tilted her head, smiling. “You look radiant, sweetheart. You’ve been glowing lately.”

Elara’s cheeks warmed. “New skincare?”

Vanessa laughed. “Must be some skincare.”

They bought the sweater. And a new set of lacy underwear Elara picked out without thinking—deep red, silky. Vanessa raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

That night, over takeout pizza and a holiday rom-com still streaming on TV (neither had the heart to switch to anything else), Vanessa finally asked.

“You seem… different since break ended. Happier. Lighter.” She paused the movie, turning to face Elara on the couch. “Is everything okay?”

Elara’s heart stuttered. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”

Vanessa shrugged, gentle. “You ended things with Alex. That’s big. And you’ve been out a lot—study groups, friends. I’m glad you’re social, but…” She reached over, tucking a strand of hair behind Elara’s ear. “You’re my baby. I notice when you’re keeping something.”

Elara forced a laugh. “Mom, I’m fine. Better than fine.”

Vanessa studied her for a long moment. “You’ve been wearing that necklace a lot.” She nodded toward the gold chain peeking above Elara’s hoodie—the key pendant safely hidden beneath fabric. “New?”

“Christmas gift from Mia,” Elara said, the lie practiced now.

Vanessa hummed. “Pretty.”

They finished the movie in silence. Elara’s phone buzzed twice in her pocket—Julian checking in. She didn’t look.

Sunday morning, Vanessa made French toast—the same recipe Julian had made for Elara that first overnight. The smell hit Elara like a wave, and she had to excuse herself to the bathroom to steady her breathing.

When she came back, Vanessa was at the sink, staring out the window at the melting snow.

“I talked to Julian yesterday,” she said casually. “He sounded… good. Relaxed. Said the break did him good.”

Elara buttered her toast too aggressively. “That’s nice.”

Vanessa turned, drying her hands. “He asked about you. Said you seemed healthy last time he saw you.”

The fork paused halfway to Elara’s mouth.

Vanessa smiled, soft. “I told him you’re glowing. He agreed.”

Elara’s cheeks burned. “Mom…”

Vanessa held up her hands. “I’m not prying. I’m just… observing. You’re growing up. Falling in love for the first time, maybe. It’s beautiful.”

Elara nearly choked. “I’m not—”

“You don’t have to tell me anything,” Vanessa cut in gently. “Not yet. But when you’re ready, I’m here. No judgment.”

She pressed a kiss to Elara’s forehead and left the kitchen.

Elara sat frozen, heart pounding.

Vanessa didn’t know.

But she was starting to wonder.

That night, Elara texted Julian from under her covers.

Elara: Mom’s noticing things. Not specifics. Just… changes. She thinks I’m in love.

Julian: You are.

Elara: She mentioned you asked about me.

Julian: I had to be careful. Said it was doctor concern.

Elara: She’s not suspicious. Just… maternal.

Julian: Good. We stay smart. Tuesday still on?

Elara: More than ever.

Julian: I’ll keep the lights on. And the bed warm.

She fell asleep with the gold key clutched in her hand, the faint glow of the porch Christmas lights filtering through her curtains.

Vanessa was noticing.

But she wasn’t seeing.

Not yet.

And Elara would protect what they had for as long as she could.