Twilight of Realities: Worlds Collide

Chapter 3: Confronting Secrets.

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Sterling estate, painting the sprawling gardens with a warm glow as the siblings gathered for breakfast. Caleb and Max stood in the garden, their voices mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves as they engaged in playful banter.

"You think Lyra's going to join us this morning?" Caleb asked, his tone laced with uncertainty as he leaned against the garden fence.

Max shrugged, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Doubt it. You know how sensitive she is about Dad leaving," he replied, his voice tinged with amusement.

Caleb chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "Sensitive? Lyra?" he scoffed; his tone filled with incredulity. "Rarely ever."

Max laughed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Exactly. So don't hold your breath," he teased, nudging Caleb playfully as they waited for their sister to emerge from her room.

Meanwhile, Ethan's voice echoed from the kitchen, calling out to his siblings. "Hey, you two! Come on, I'm starving! We're making pancakes, and I need all the help I can get," he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement as he prepared breakfast with Grace and Aunt Marianne.

With a shared glance, Caleb and Max made their way to Lyra's room, determined to coax her out of her self-imposed solitude. They knocked on her door, their voices filled with playful insistence as they called out to her.

"Come on, Lyra! Don't make us break the door down," Caleb called, his tone teasing yet affectionate.

Before they could count to three, the door swung open, revealing Lyra standing in the doorway with a resigned expression

her arms folded across her chest as she glared at her brothers. "What do you want?" she demanded; her voice sharp with irritation.

Caleb flashed her a grin, undeterred by her icy demeanor. "Just thought you might want to join us for a little sunrise viewing," he replied, his tone light and teasing.

Lyra scoffed, rolling her eyes at her brother's suggestion. "Why bother? The sun rises every day, Caleb. It's not like it's anything special," she retorted, her frustration evident in her voice.

But Caleb wasn't about to give up that easily. "Ah, but you always say that watching the sunrise is a reminder of life's beauty," he teased, a playful glint in his eye as he tried to coax her out of her room.

Max chimed in, his voice filled with mock innocence. "Yeah, Lyra. Don't tell me you've forgotten all your inspirational quotes already," he teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Lyra's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, a scowl forming on her lips as she glared at her brothers. "You two better not start stealing my quotes," she warned, her tone sharp with irritation.

But Caleb and Max only laughed, unfazed by her threat. "Oh, don't worry, sis. We wouldn't dream of it," Caleb replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he continued to tease her.

Before Lyra could retort,

they heard the next door creak open, and they turned to see their grandmother, Sabrina, emerging with an air of regal disdain. She wore her luxurious eye mask perched on her head, a clear indication that she had been disturbed from her slumber.

The sight of their grandmother sent a shiver down their spines, knowing that her appearance boded ill for their morning tranquillity. With a sigh, they braced themselves for the inevitable scolding that was sure to follow.

"Maxwell, Caleb, what in the world do you think you're doing, making such a racket at this ungodly hour?" Sabrina chided, her voice sharp with disapproval as she fixed them with a withering glare.