MY WORST NIGHTMARE.

EPISODE 4

VIVIAN'S POV

I woke up to the sound of my annoying alarm that reminded me, once again, that I had to wake up early for breakfast. The sound made me groan and pull the pillow over my head, wishing I could throw that damn clock out the window.

You might be wondering if I go to school or not...well, of course I do...but I take private lessons at home. My mother said "public schools are for commoners," whatever that means. So yeah, I'm stuck studying in a house full of rules and silence.

After forcing myself out of bed, I brushed my teeth, took a quick shower, and slipped into a cream dress that stopped right above my knees. I tied my hair into a neat ponytail...because Mother would have a fit if I showed up with "messy strands like a street child."

When I got to the dining room, only my beloved father was already there, having his meal without waiting for anyone. He looked up from the newspaper and smiled when he saw me.

"Good morning, Father," I said, pecking him on the cheek before taking my seat beside him.

"Good morning, sweetie," he replied warmly. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did. Thank you, Father."

He nodded, eyes going back to his paper. "Good. You look bright today."

"Maybe because you're the first face I saw," I teased, earning a chuckle from him.

I started eating quietly, cutting through my eggs, when I noticed Mrs. Dora standing by the door with a tray in her hands. She was serving breakfast, moving around so carefully as if the air itself could break. I smiled and waved at her. She smiled back and waved too.

Mrs. Dora...Lucas's mother. She's one of the kindest women I've ever known. She's been here since forever, probably before I was born. And if there's anything I know, it's that she raised one hell of a son.

I don't know why, but the thought of Lucas made me smile a little...until I quickly shook it off. I shouldn't be thinking about him. Not after Mother's warning.

Just then, my thoughts were cut short when I heard the sharp sound of heels against marble. My mother was walking in, with my dumb brother Zack trailing right behind her.

"Good morning, honey" she said to my dad, not even glancing at me.

"Morning," Father replied, tone flat.

They both sat down opposite us. No one said a word after that; the room was filled with nothing but the clinking of cutlery.

Mrs. Dora came forward with a teapot in her hands, her expression polite and careful. She served each of us one by one. But when she got to my mother's cup, I noticed the way her hands trembled just a little...as though she was afraid even to breathe near her.

"Be careful," Mother said coldly, her eyes sharp.

"I-Yes, ma'am," Mrs. Dora said softly.

She reached forward, but before she could pour the tea, Mother's elbow suddenly hit the teapot, sending hot liquid splashing across the table and onto the floor.

Everyone stood up at once.

"Mum!" I gasped.

"Margaret!" Father barked, already on his feet.

Mrs. Dora jumped back, horrified, clutching her scalded wrist.

"You ungrateful peasant!" Mother snapped, turning on her with fury. "Can't you do one simple task without spilling tea like some i***t?!"

Mrs. Dora's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, ma'am, it was an acci-"

Before she could finish, Mother raised her hand and slapped her...hard..macross the cheek.

The sound echoed through the entire dining hall.

"MOM!" I screamed.

Mrs. Dora froze, her hand on her face, her eyes brimming with tears.

Father slammed his hand on the table. "Margaret, that's enough!"

But she wasn't done. "You've grown bold, haven't you? Thinking you can win your way into this family's heart by pretending to be so humble? I know your kind!"

"Mother!" I shouted, rushing to Mrs. Dora's side. "Stop it!"

Father stepped forward, his voice loud and firm now. "Margaret, I will not take this from you anymore. You've ruined our breakfast just because you wanted to get even with your maid!"

She turned sharply. "Edward, you're taking her side again, as usual! Why can't you just believe me for once that-"

"Oh, don't turn this on me, Margaret," Father interrupted, his patience snapping. "Why can't you stop making trouble in your own house?"

He tossed the napkin aside and walked out.

Zack, meanwhile, was standing there, smirking...laughing under his breath at the sight of the weeping woman.

"You should've seen your face, Dora," he said cruelly.

"Zack!" I snapped. "You're disgusting!"

He only shrugged. "It's just the truth." Then he followed Mother out, still laughing.

Mrs. Dora stood there, shaking, her eyes glassy.

I turned to her, taking her hands gently. "I'm so sorry about my mother. She can be so difficult sometimes."

She forced a smile through her tears. "It's alright, sweetie. I'm used to it. I've been here long enough to know when to keep quiet."

"That doesn't make it right," I said. "You don't deserve that."

"I don't want to get thrown out of the house," she whispered, glancing around nervously. "Where else would I go to?"

Her voice broke, and she covered her face with her hands. I hugged her tightly. "Everything's going to be alright. I promise."

She nodded weakly, wiped her tears, and started clearing the table in silence.

I stood there, watching her, guilt burning deep inside me.

Mrs. Dora had been working here before I was even born. This house was her whole world. I'd heard the stories about her husband...Lucas's father...how he went off to war and never returned. No one knows if he's alive or dead, but she still calls him Late Salvador. I guess after waiting so many years, hope starts to feel like punishment.

Maybe that's why Mother hates her so much...because she's strong, humble, and still standing. Maybe... she's jealous.

I sighed and headed upstairs to my room. The rest of the day went smoothly, which was honestly a miracle. I didn't want another argument. I locked my door, threw myself on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.

Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to live in a home where I could actually breathe...where my mother didn't decide who I could talk to or how I should act.

But I guess that's just a dream.

I closed my eyes and drifted off into sleep...until I heard it.

A faint sound from below. Voices. Arguing.

At first, I thought I was dreaming, but then I recognized them.

Zack... and Lucas.

My heart skipped.

"-don't think I didn't hear that you were talking to her again!" Zack's voice snapped through the silence.

"I wasn't!" Lucas's voice was sharp, low. "I was working!"

"Working? You call staring at my sister work?"

"I wasn't staring at her!"

"Oh, really?" Zack barked a laugh. "You think you're something, don't you? A poor servant pretending to be noble. Let me remind you of your place, Salvador."

There was a thud. Then another.

Mom must have told Zack what happened yesterday. That witch.

"Zack, stop-" Lucas's voice broke mid-sentence, followed by the sound of a scuffle.

I ran to the window, heart racing, but I couldn't see them from there.

"Don't you ever talk to her again!" Zack shouted. "You hear me? Or I'll finish what I started last time."

I covered my mouth in shock.

Zack... he was beating him again.

"Zack!" I shouted, rushing for the door...but then I froze halfway down the stairs, afraid. If Mother or Father saw me-

Another crash. A groan.

"Zack, please!" Lucas's voice echoed through the hall.

And then silence.

Cold, heavy silence.