Empty Seat
Vivian Reyes hadn't been home in almost a year and the silence that surrounded the mansion felt as distant and unfamiliar as her parents had always been
she stepped out of the car, smoothing down her dress her nurse's ID badge still clipped to her purse like a leftover
piece of her life a life far away from grand chandeliers and cold Marble floors
a life where she found passion and where she mattered not as someone's daughter not as someone's sister but just Vivian
a butler opened the front door before she could knock, bowing politely as if she belonged here
except that she didn't
she never had
the dining room was already set when she entered. The scent of garlic and roasted meat lingered in the air
at the long mahogany table sat strangers she had never seen or met
men in expensive suits, women with diamonds to heavy for their thin necks
conversations hushed when she appeared. Her heels clicked too loudly against the floor
Her parents looked up from the far end of the table. Her father Armando Reyes, gave her a small nod while her mom stood up and walked towards with open arms
an act that made Vivian freeze in place
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
"Vivian darling "
isadora said sweetly, pressing a kiss to her cheek
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
"You look beautiful! "
VIVIAN REYES
" ah... Thank you... mom. "
It was strange indeed. Her mother never complimented her without reason. She sat stiffly between two unfamiliar guests
and the entire meal carried on with tension just beneath the surface. Forks clinked. Glasses refilled. But couldn't ignore the empty seat two places across from her
her sister's name hadn't been mentioned once which was strange
the family that never invited her to Sunday dinners now smiled too politely, too carefully as though waiting for something
her father barely looked her way, focused on a conversation with a man she didn't recognize
the man tall, broad shouldered and quite didn't smile once, he only glanced at her occasionally his gaze sharp and unreadable
Vivian shifted uncomfortable in her sit
her mother reached over placing a hand on her wrist
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
"sweetheart "
she said with an eerie clam
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" I know this is sudden, but there is something we need to discuss after dinner "
Isadora gave her hand a light squeeze
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" Your sister made a foolish decision. She ran off with that boy, Rafael - she left the city - she is gone."
VIVIAN REYES
" she what? "
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" she left "
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" she left him "
Vivian looked around the table again, eyes locking on the man with the dark suit and silent presence.
' him' the man who had been watching her closely like he already owned her name
her heart sank, pounding in her chest as realization took shape
VIVIAN REYES
"you're not saying - "
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" She was supposed to marry him, Vivian "
Isadora whispered , as if the walls could hear
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" But she ran and well, arrangements were made. There's no time to delay, Mr. Moreno still needs a wife "
VIVIAN REYES
" So you're selling me, you're going to replace me in her place "
her voice was a sharp contrast to the murmurs around the table, warning glances and whispers
VIVIAN REYES
" are you offering me "
She hissed feeling her world split beneath her feet
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" You will be safe"
Isadora said still smiling like this was an afternoon tea
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" You will be apart of something powerful, he is kind in his way, And you're strong Vivian "
ISADORA REYES (fL's mother)
" this could your chance to matter"
Vivian stood from the table without another word. her pulse roaring in her ears
The man didn't speak a word. he just watched and observed
and as her mother words echoed around her, Vivian realized something
her entire life was about to change over dinner with one missing seat and a pair of unreadable eyes
Comments
👑Puchi👑
😱🤬 definitely they're upto something nasty
2025-06-10
0
👑Puchi👑
so u want to sacrifice her 😱🤬
2025-06-10
0