The voices of their parents are sharp, cutting through the silence like the edge of a blade. But Riya doesnโt flinch.
She has heard it all before.
Disappointment. Disapproval. Disgust.
Itโs the same cycle, repeating endlesslyโwhispers of what Rivan should have been, of how he failed them, of how he refuses to be what they want.
Riya stares at the book in her lap, but the words blur. Her fingers tighten on the pages, pressing hard enough to leave creases. She shouldnโt care. She shouldnโt care.
But she does.
Because while their parents talk about him like heโs a burden, she remembers.
She remembers the brother who used to hold her hand when she was scared. The one who used to tuck her in at night when their mother was too busy at some charity event and their father was locked away in his office. The one who once smiledโreally smiledโbefore something in him broke.
Before he became this version of himself.
Distant. Cold. Silent.
Her parents keep talking, their voices bitter, sharp.
โHeโs weak.โ
โHe was never meant to be like this.โ
โA disappointment.โ
The words feel heavier than usual, sinking into her chest like stones. She wonders if Rivan hears them, if he already knows how little they think of him.
Or maybeโmaybe he stopped caring a long time ago.
Her gaze flickers to the staircase, to the place where he had disappeared just moments ago. She knows he wonโt come down for dinner. He never does.
And just like every other night, no one will go up to check on him. No one will call him.
Except her.
But she never does.
Because love, in this house, is something unspoken. Something fragile. Something that doesnโt survive.
โโโโโโโฆโโโโโโ
๐Upstairs, he walked away. Downstairs, his name lingered like an unspoken curse.
How was Chapter 2, my sweet inklings? ๐
Do you think silence speaks louder than words? Let me know in the comments. Your thoughts matter more than you think.
๐ Stay connected with me! โค๏ธ Instagram: [@sereneink_]
โจEvery chapter, every wordโthis journey is ours. Thank you for being here. โจ
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