Shay's POV
Days turned into weeks, and weeks slowly turned into months.
No news. No updates.
The people investigating Shawn's case had gone silent, and now, everyone I knew was almost certain that he was really dead.
For the past two months, I stopped going to work. I stayed locked inside my big, empty room, only coming out when it was time to eat or when I needed fresh air.
Dad buried himself in work, trying to run the business alone now that Shawn wasn't here anymore. He spent every day contacting the detective leading Shawn's case, offering whatever assistance he could. But honestly, I think the only reason he wanted them to find Shawn alive was so he could return home and clean up the messâthe chaos that had erupted since the news of his disappearance broke.
The truth is, Dad never really cared about him. Now that he's getting older, he's probably realizing that he isn't "fit" enough to handle the pressure of running the company all over again. He relied on Shawn for that. And now? He's desperate. I bet he isn't even sleeping at night, just waiting for an update from the detective, hopingâprayingâthat Shawn is still alive.
Luckily, I had Sylvia to thank for handling all my work-related issues.
She convinced my manager to let me take a few weeks off, citing a family emergency. Sylvia is a pro at persuasion. No wonder Jason hired herâhe needed someone like her to handle his business clients.
Jason...
Just the thought of him brought a small smile to my face.
I felt like hell for ignoring him for the past few daysâfor not replying to his messages, for pushing him away. He was the first guy I had ever genuinely started to like, which is exactly why I had to end things. I couldn't let him get entangled in my complicated life.
It was better this way.
He didn't need to know the truth about me. He didn't need to be involved in my mess.
I had already decided: the moment I returned to work, I would talk to him and officially end things between us.
Funny how I wanted to break things off before we even had a real chance.
When Jonas came to my room to tell me that lunch was ready, I was already dressed, sitting on my bed, staring blankly into the vanity mirror.
My mind was empty.
Yet, at the same time, a million things raced through my head.
But today, I forced everything out. I prepared myself for another day of pretendingâpretending that everything was normal, that we hadn't just lost a family member two months ago, that we weren't living in the dark, not knowing whether Shawn was alive or dead.
I made my way downstairs, keeping my eyes on the ground.
When I entered the dining room, I saw my father already seated with Shelby and Shanelle. The housekeeper pulled my chair out, and I sat down next to Shanelle, my eyes immediately drawn to the empty seat across from me.
Shawn's seat.
Tears pricked the back of my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away. I stared at the plate in front of me, willing myself to keep it together.
The thick tension in the air only grew heavier as we ate in silence.
I reached for the glass of water and took a few gulps before placing it back on the table. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Shelby glancing at me.
Then, Mom walked in.
She marched straight to Dad and stood beside him, glaring down at him with pure hatred.
"Are you happy right now?" she asked loudly.
Dad continued eating, ignoring her.
Her voice rose. "Are you all happy right now?! You just lost a brother and a son, and you're sitting here acting as if nothing happened!"
Dad sighed, dropping his fork onto his plate. He wiped his mouth with a napkin, leaned back in his chair, and finally looked up at her.
"If you're going to keep acting like this, then get the hell out of the room. We're trying to eat in peace, for God's sake."
Mom smirked, then started clapping her hands sarcastically.
"Oh yeah, sure! Pretend all you want! That's the real monster you are! You're not even grieving for your son. Who knows where he is right now? Maybe floating in the middle of the oceanâmaybe sharks are feasting on his body as we speak!"
I set my fork down and stared at the table, crossing my fingers tightly, silently begging for them to take this argument somewhere else.
I just wanted to finish my damn lunch and escape back to my room.
"Jesus, Mom," Shanelle muttered, pushing her plate away with a disgusted look.
Dad's expression darkened. "Have you been drinking?"
Mom scoffed. "So what? At least I have a sorrowful reason to do so! Some father you are... You don't even care that your son might be dead. All you care about is your m-money, your stupid company, and your secret woâ"
She hiccupped, stumbling slightly.
"...your stupid secret woman that you're having an affair with!"
I froze.
I glanced at Shanelle.
She looked just as shocked as I felt.
Dad is having an affair?
"That's it," Dad growled. He turned toward the maids. "Will someone escort her to her room and keep her there until she sobers up? I did not take an early break from work for this!"
Jonas immediately stepped forward, reaching for Mom's arm.
"No!" She yanked away from his grip, glaring at Dad with tears in her eyes.
"You're a monster!"
Dad sighed, rubbing his temples before signaling Jonas to take her away.
But before Jonas could grab her again, Mom suddenly grabbed the tablecloth and yanked it down.
Everything crashed onto the floorâplates, glasses, silverware, foodâshattering on impact.
We all jumped back in shock.
"Mom!" Shelby snapped angrily.
But Mom just smiled.
Then she laughed.
As if she hadn't just destroyed the entire table. As if she hadn't just thrown an entire meal onto the floor.
Jonas took hold of her arm, dragging her out of the room.
Silence.
None of us moved. None of us spoke.
We had just witnessed our mother's first chaotic breakdown in forever.
And as I stood there, heart pounding, I realized something.
Shawn was the only thing that kept Mom sane.
Now that he was gone...
Who knew what she would do next?
What other destruction she would bring?
And what other chaos we would have to endure?