Chapter Three:
1116 Words
The house had been tense for days.
Their father had been restless—quietly so. Always on calls, always distracted, always somewhere else even when he was sitting right there with them.
Their mother noticed.
She noticed the way he stayed up longer than usual.
The way he stared at nothing sometimes.
The way he avoided questions with soft smiles that didn’t reach his eyes.
She wanted to ask.
But he wouldn't tell her anything.
And that worried her more.
Until finally—
He got the call.
An approval.
He didn’t waste time.
đź–¤
Dinner was quiet.
Evie was setting the table neatly when their father walked in.
She looked up immediately, her face lighting up as she leaned in to kiss his cheek.
“Welcome dad.”
He smiled softly, patting her shoulder.
“Where’s your sister?”
Evie shrugged slightly.
“She should be home soon.”
He nodded, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes.
Their mother placed the last dish on the table and sat down, smoothing her dress like she always did.
They waited.
And waited.
But Rhea didn’t come.
Eventually, they started eating.
Evie was gently, pouring water into the cups.
When he sighed.
“I want to make an announcement. I was waiting for Rhea, but…”
He set his cutlery down.
“I’ll be traveling for a few days.”
Evie’s hand paused mid-air.
“Traveling?” she echoed softly.
“Why?” their mother asked, her voice careful.
“It’s just for a meeting.”
She frowned slightly.
“Dear… you just got back few days ago and now?. Why so sudd—”
“It’s really important. That’s why.”
There was something in his tone that shut the room up.
“But Dad, you shouldn’t be traveling. Your health—”
“Honey, it’s okay. I’ve checked in with the doctor.”
“But—”
“I’ll be fine, sweetheart.” His voice softened. “You worry too much.”
She sighed, but her eyes didn’t relax.
“Of course we do. It’s our responsibility. As much as we are yours… you’re ours too.”
That made him smile, properly this time.
“You’re too sweet.”
She shook her head slightly.
“How long?”
“Just a few days.” He shrugged. “That’s all.”
“…Okay.”
Halfway through the meal—
The front door opened.
Rhea.
She walked in like the house belonged to her and she didn’t owe anyone anything—which, to her, she didn’t.
Her bag dropped onto the couch carelessly as she walked straight to the kitchen.
“Good evening to you,” her father said, turning slightly.
No response.
Not even a glance.
Just an eye roll.
“You’re home late,” he added.
Rhea opened the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water.
“When did I start getting curfew?” she shot back.
“But I sent you a message. I said I needed you home early. Something important—”
“So?” she cut in, twisting the bottle open. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”
His jaw tightened.
“You don’t seem to understand your importance in this.”
Rhea let out a dry laugh as she walked in.
“Here we go again.”
She dropped into a chair lazily.
“Everybody gets a dad who treats them like princesses…” she muttered, leaning back.
“And me? I got blessed with the overly dramatic one...yaay me.”
“Rhea!” he snapped. “Can we ever have a conversation that doesn’t end like this?”
She shrugged, completely unbothered.
“I’m chill. The problem is you.”
Silence.
Their mother shifted slightly, clearly debating whether to speak.
She rarely did.
Rhea always made sure of that.
Still…
She tried.
“R-Rhea…”
Rhea’s head snapped toward her.
“What?”
“Err...i… I’ll serve your meal.”
Rhea inhaled slowly,
“Do whatever.”
Then she leaned forward slightly, eyes sharp.
“So what is this important thing you’re yapping about?” she said flatly.
“Is someone dying soon? Who is it? Because that’s the only good news I’d like to hear right now.”
Evie stiffened.
Their father’s face darkened.
“What is wrong with you?”
“A lot,” she said, laughing under her breath.
“Are you ever serious?”
She tilted her head.
“Are you ever not exhausting?”
His hand slammed lightly against the table.
“You never want to be involved! You think this—” he gestured at her “—this is life?”
She leaned back, crossing her arms.
“And you’re one to tell me"
“Somebody has to.”
“And you think you’re the chosen one?” she shot back, unimpressed.
His patience snapped slightly.
“All this… all this you do—” he gestured again, sharper this time
“—this madness… if only you knew…”
He leaned forward.
“You are the reason behind this announcement.”
Rhea blinked.
“…What the f**k?”
Then her expression hardened.
“Why does it have to involve me?”
“Oh, so now you’re interested?”
“Of course I am,” she snapped. “Because every time you involve me, it’s never for me.”
She leaned forward, voice cutting.
“It’s always about fixing me. Changing me. Reshaping me into something that makes you look good.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” he fired back.
“No—it’s not!”
Her hand slammed against the table as she stood up.
Evie flinched.
“It’s freaking not!” Rhea continued, voice rising.
“All you’ve ever tried to do is turn me into a version of myself that fits your image—”
“It’s better than being this!”
That hit.
She laughed—but there was no humor in it.
“Wow.”
She stepped closer.
“Instead of trying to change me into a better person… have you ever tried seeing me as my own person?”
Silence.
“Have you?” she pressed.
His answer came cold.
“I have—and it’s a terrible person you've got in there.”
That was it.
Something snapped.
She pulled the table cloth causing most of the dishes, plates and cups to all shatter to the ground—
“Rhea!” he shouted.
Her mother gasped, a hand flying to her chest.
Rhea’s chest rose and fell, her eyes blazing.
“f**k you.”
And she turned, storming upstairs.
“Ree—!” Evie stood immediately, rushing after her.
~~~
- Writer
