Chapter 4 – She Vanished
Their father arrived.
On the table, dishes of meat, vegetables, and fruits were laid out in abundance. The meal was sumptuous, the kind of spread reserved only for important occasions. Yet no one moved until their father gave the signal.
Drake Silve, the head of the family, cleared his throat and gave a slight nod. Only then did his children pick up their utensils and begin to eat.
They ate in near silence. Though the food was rich and flavorful, every one of them carried the same unspoken question—why had their father called for this gathering? Not one dared to ask.
As always, Cristine, the chief cook, and her team had outdone themselves. Dexter, the youngest, dug in with enthusiasm, oblivious to the tension that crackled around him. He didn't notice the sharp glance Drake cast his way—or perhaps he noticed but didn't care.
The candles flickered despite the still air, their flames bending faintly toward Dannie. Dexter frowned, his fork pausing mid-air, before quickly looking away.
When the meal ended, the weight in the air grew heavier. Drake laid down his utensils, dabbed his lips with a napkin, and looked at each of his children in turn.
"I gathered you here for important matters," he said, his voice deep and steady. His gaze lingered on Dhrea. "As you can see, your eldest sister has chosen the army. Thus…"
His words trailed off. His eyes slid toward Dustin.
"I have decided to name Dustin the successor of the Silve family."
The table froze.
For a moment, no one breathed.
Only Dustin and Dexter remained untouched by the announcement. Dustin allowed himself the faintest smile before it vanished behind his usual composure. Dexter, too young to understand, simply bit his lip, glancing anxiously between his siblings.
Dhrea's hand trembled against the table before she slammed it down, her voice cutting through the silence.
"You must be joking, Father. I am the eldest. I have obeyed every order, followed every instruction. I have bled for this family. And not once—" her voice cracked, rising despite herself, "—not once did I ever fail you!"
Under the table, Dannie's fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms. Her stomach twisted. Of all people, Dustin? Not him. Anyone but him.
She could accept Damien managing the business—he was gentle, approachable, someone their late mother would have trusted. But Dustin? Cold, distant Dustin, the one who always stood apart? If he became the family's head… if he controlled everything…
That would be unbearable.
Dannie drew in a steadying breath before speaking, her voice firm.
"I agree with Eldest Sister. It should be Dhrea who takes over the family. She has earned it—and I will fully support her."
Dhrea turned her head toward Dannie, a flicker of gratitude softening her sharp eyes before facing their father again.
But Dustin finally spoke. His tone was calm, yet carried an edge that silenced the air.
"The master of this family—our father—is not making suggestions. He is declaring his will. Do you truly think he speaks lightly? I was surprised as well, but if Father believes I am worthy to carry the Silve name, then I will step forward… for the sake of our family's glory."
His words struck like steel, heavy and deliberate.
Damien knitted his brows but held his tongue. He glanced at his father, who sat unperturbed, as if none of this outrage mattered.
Drake only sighed, his eyes cool and unreadable. The message was clear: his decision was final.
And though no one dared to speak further, the silence around the table was louder than any argument.
Then Drake's eyes shifted, landing on Dannie.
"Next… I want your attention, Dannie." His voice sharpened, laced with sarcasm. "Dhrea is enough for serving in the army. But you? Why must both of my daughters choose the same path? Dustin is my successor. Damien will handle the business. Can you not think of anything else—anything—for the greater benefit of this family?"
Dannie swallowed hard, her throat dry. She had prepared herself for this moment, but the weight of his gaze still crushed her.
"I… I really w-wanted—"
"You will not proceed with the military recruitment," Drake cut her off. His tone was cold, absolute. "That is final."
The words shattered her.
Shock and disappointment twisted across her face. The dream she had fought for, the one thing she thought was hers, was snatched away in a breath.
She wanted to argue, to scream—but what was the point? Dhrea had defied him and been silenced. What chance did she have? All she could do was stare at the empty plates, her vision blurring.
Dexter's small hand slipped into hers under the table, warm and trembling. He was trying to comfort her, but Dannie barely noticed.
Drake leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Lastly. I will be gone for several months. I must attend the royal palace to make a final appeal. You know what this means."
His eyes swept across his children one by one.
Dhrea—eyes burning with restrained fury.
Dustin—masking calm, though pride glimmered faintly beneath.
Dannie—lost, her spirit crumbling.
Damien—trying to keep his composure.
And Dexter—wide-eyed, avoiding his father's gaze, clutching Dannie's hand as if he sensed something the others did not.
As their father left, the siblings scattered, each carrying their own storm.
Dannie dragged herself toward her room, every step heavier than the last. She didn't realize Dexter was following, his little footsteps quick and nervous.
She reached for her door, ready to shut the world out, when a small voice stopped her.
"Ouch… that hurts, Big Sis."
Startled, Dannie swung the door open to find Dexter rubbing his arm, pouting.
"Gosh, you surprised me, Dexter. Why are you here? If it's to play, then I'm not up for it. I'm tired," she said, though what she really wanted was to cry. Her chest felt hollow. She had given everything—and it still wasn't enough. Her only wish, to honor her mother, seemed further than ever.
"Big Sis… please… don't leave me." Dexter's eyes brimmed with tears as he threw his arms around her.
Caught off guard, Dannie knelt so they were face-to-face.
"I'm not leaving—"
"No! You are leaving! I know it!" His sudden outburst stunned her.
Before she could reply, Elly, along with Dexter's attendant, hurried over and gently pulled him away, though he fought against them.
"Let me stay with you, Big Sis! I know you will not leave if I stay!" he wailed, his cries echoing down the corridor until they faded.
Elly tried to ask what had happened, but Dannie brushed her off and closed the door. She only wanted silence.
Dannie lay down, exhausted, her chest heavy with disappointment.
Dexter's cries still echoed in her ears.
Don't leave me, Big Sis! Please!
She shut her eyes tightly.
"Why would I leave?" she whispered bitterly. "I only wanted to honor Mother… but now I've failed her too."
The silence of her room pressed in. Her heartbeat grew louder in her ears, then slower, heavier, as if the air itself conspired to smother her.
And then… the air changed.
The warmth of her blanket turned to ice. The stillness fractured with a faint current, though the windows were sealed. Shadows lengthened, bending unnaturally toward her bed. Her skin prickled.
She tried to sit up, but her body felt pinned, too heavy to lift. Her vision swam. Through the haze she saw it—faint threads of pale light unraveling from her fingertips, drifting upward like smoke.
"What… is happening…?" Her voice cracked into the dark.
Her body grew weightless, the edges of her form dissolving. Her arms blurred into mist. Panic surged, but no sound escaped her lips.
She reached out, desperate to hold on to something—anything—but her hands slipped through empty air.
And in the next breath, she was gone.
Not even her shadow remained.
⸻
In another room, Dexter stirred awake, his little body shivering. Tears welled up before he understood why.
"Big Sis…" he whispered into the darkness, clutching the blanket to his chest.
"If I stayed… you wouldn't be gone."