"The Quiet Rebellion"
It's been a week since my quiet rebellion began, and while Aunt Serena and Ethan haven't confronted me directly, the tension is thick. They avoid eye contact, speak less at the table, but I know they're bothered. They just don't know what to do with me anymore—and that's exactly how I like it.
We're sitting in the dining room, surrounded by silence. Only the faint clinking of dishes and the low hum of classical music fills the room. I've never liked classical. It feels like a forced elegance, like the house itself—beautiful, stiff, and not quite mine. But I bear it. I always do.
Suddenly, Ethan breaks the silence.
"I was thinking," he says, tone neutral but pleasant. "It's been a while since we went out to dinner, hm?"
Aunt Serena straightens slightly. "Oh, right."
"My friend just opened a new restaurant, he invited us along with Jack and his wife Cassandra."he says, cutting the steak.
"Wonderful! Mr. Berkins?"Aunt Serena beams.
"Yes,it's a really good place actually,been there one time with my business associates, you will love it " he replies, sipping his wine.
Aunt Serena turns to me. "Odessa dear, would you like to come with us?"
"No," Ethan cuts in smoothly. "Sorry, the invitation's only for the two of us."
I glance at Aunt Serena, then back at him. "It's alright. I don't like public gatherings," I say, voice flat and detached.
Motherfucker.
I wasn't planning to go anyway, but the way he decided for me—ugh.
"Well, that's settled then," Ethan says. "Odessa will stay home like a good child."
A good child.
Who does he think he is to talk to me like that?
I nod silently, though the food on my plate suddenly feels heavy. My appetite vanishes, despite the mouthwatering aroma.
My thoughts drift to Cade.
Is he having dinner as well?
After dinner, I follow Aunt Serena into the kitchen. She's already gathering dishes and rinsing them in the sink.
Sometimes I feel bad watching her work so tirelessly. Ethan has enough money to hire a maid, but maybe they just prefer not having strangers in the house. Or maybe it's something else.
"Let me help you," I offer.
She glances at me with soft surprise. "Oh, sweet thing, I've got this!"
She really loves doing the chores.
"I insist," I say, already reaching for a plate.
She steps aside, and I take over. So many dishes.
I see her throwing the leftovers in the trashbin,hm..why do they waste food like that?suddenly she speaks up.
"If there's anything going on, Odessa... I'm here to help. Always," she says gently.
I nod, offering nothing more.
If only she knew.
Or maybe she does.
Either way, I'm going to get us both out of this house.
I'm going to find the truth.
Put Ethan behind bars, where he belongs.
He's a murderer.
I force a smile. "Let's watch a movie. I want to spend some time with you."
Her expression brightens. "With popcorn? Sounds perfect!"
She makes popcorn while I get the living room ready. We plop down on the couch, lights off, the giant TV casting a soft glow across the room. The opening credits of Pride and Prejudice roll in. I love Jane in this, her whining, her drama. It's oddly comforting.
For once, everything feels quiet in the right way.
"I love this house."Aunt Serena says out of nowhere,looking around as if its new to her."its beautiful, right?''her eyes on the screen again.
"Indeed."
I glance at Aunt Serena. Her eyes are closed. She's fallen asleep, her head tilted slightly, mouth parted, the blanket sliding off her shoulder.
I gently pull it up over her. She looks peaceful. Tired, but peaceful.
And then—
Knock.
My heart jumps.
A faint knock against the window.
My blood runs cold. The house is too quiet. Too still.
I walk slowly toward the sound, each step cautious and calculated, like the house might swallow me whole if I make a wrong move.
I pull the curtain aside and nearly choke back a gasp.
Blondie.
"Cade!?" I whisper harshly, sliding the window open. "What the fuck are you doing here?!"
He grins, eyes sparkling. "I wanted to see you."
"Not now. Come tomorrow—at five!"
He doesn't move. Just stares, like he's memorizing my face.
"What?" I hissed. "Now go!"
He pecks me , then disappears into the dark.
I turn back toward the couch—
Aunt Serena's eyes flutter open.
"Sorry," she murmurs, voice groggy. "I didn't realize I'd dozed off."
I nod. "It's okay. I'm sleepy too."
We part ways and head to our rooms.
But even as I lie in bed, staring up at the ceiling fan spinning slowly above me, my mind spins faster.
Tomorrow I will have my chance.