4 1
T
S I LVER
he three of us sit in Mum's living area.
To say the air is awkward and full of tension would be the
understatement of the century. This isn't how I've imagined our
family reunion.
Mum ties the satin robe around her nightgown and keeps touching her
hair, trying to submit the dishevelled blonde strands to order.
Papa appears completely normal, all tucked in his suit as if he were born
in one.
God. I can't believe I walked in on my parents having sex. It's even
more disturbing now considering they're no longer married.
They sit beside each other while I'm across from them, arms folded like
a judge out to prosecute her defendants.
Mum flashes me an awkward smile. "It's not what it seems."
I scrunch my nose. "I think I saw exactly what it seems."
"Princess." Papa clears his throat. "We're sorry you had to witness
that."
"Shouldn't you be sorrier about other people? I don't know, like Helen
and Lucien?"
"Lucien and I are just friends, Babydoll. We only go out together to
avoid the hassle of finding dates to the countless of events we attend."
"How about Helen then?" I jut my chin at Papa. "How could you do this
to her?"
Mum studies her red nails. "They're not sexually active."
"Cynthia," Papa reprimands
"What?" She feigns nonchalance. "Silver is old enough to understand
that. She's sexually active herself."
"I did not need that image." Papa looks at me weird, almost horrified, as
if he's just realising that I'm not his little girl anymore.
"Mum!" My voice lowers. "How do you know that?"
"I know everything about you, Babydoll. You think I wouldn't notice
that you're in love?"
"I-I'm n-not in love." I clear my throat. "Anyway, this isn't about me.
Papa?"
"Helen and I only got married for convenience. She had no idea how to
handle the fortune William left behind, so I offered to help. One thing led to
another and we sort of formed a partnership."
"And a marriage." Mum huffs. "She thought if she had you long
enough, you'd probably fall for her graces. That woman is a snake."
"Cynthia." Papa releases another breath.
"Still, this isn't right, Papa." I'm such a hypocrite. I'm fucking his
stepson under his roof every night, after all.
"Didn't you always want us to be together?" Mum asks. "You planned it
for years."
"Not at the expense of someone else's happiness. This isn't right by
