Chapter 83 Unknown
CHAPTER 83
Unknown
VIVIAN ANDERSON
The house felt unusually quiet. The kind of silence that didn’t bring peace but instead carried something heavier, something hidden beneath polished floors and expensive walls. The evening light filtered through the large windows of the living room, casting long shadows that stretched across the space like secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Looking from a distance, Vivian stood near the center table, sat with her legs crossed facing the TV in front of her as her phone pressed to her ear, her back turned toward the staircase.
“Yes… I understand,” she said.
“Good,” she added quietly. “You did exactly what I asked.”
Her lips curved slightly, a faint smile forming.
“Make sure nothing traces back,” she continued. “I don’t want mistakes.”
“You’ll be paid. Don’t worry.” She ended the call.
He had just finished answering the call from the woman who had been on his neck to do a job well done and now he has to go back home.
He waited few few seconds, and soon his ride came through and he entered immediately, he tried reaching out to Jane but her number wasn't going through, he disappeared for days and didn't inform her of his whereabouts, because he didn't want any questioning, he tried calling her again but it went straight to voicemail, he gave up, and went home straight.
Vivian remained still, her hand slowly lowering from her ear as she stared ahead. Her fingers tightened slightly around the phone before she placed it gently on the table. She exhaled softly, adjusting her posture as though preparing to step back into a role she knew too well. The sound of footsteps broke the silence.
Vivian didn’t turn immediately. She already knew who it was.
“Mom?” C’s voice came from behind her.
Vivian turned slowly, her expression already composed, the faint smile gone as if it had never existed.
C stood at the entrance of the living room, her arms loosely folded, her brows slightly raised. “I heard you talking,” she said, walking closer. “You sounded… happy.”
Vivian let out a small, dismissive breath.
“Did I?” she replied lightly.
C stopped a few steps away, tilting her head slightly as she studied her mother.
“Yes,” she said. “Actually, you did.”
Vivian picked up a glass from the table, pretending to focus on something else.
“It was nothing important,” she said casually.
C didn’t look convinced. “Nothing important makes you smile like that,” she said bluntly.
Vivian paused briefly, then turned toward her fully, her expression softening just enough to appear natural.
“You’re overthinking,” she said. “It was just a call.”
C stared at her for a moment longer before shrugging slightly.
“Fine,” she said. “But if you’re celebrating something, you could at least tell me.”
Vivian gave a faint smile. “There’s nothing to celebrate.”
C sighed softly, walking past her and dropping onto one of the chairs.
“Whatever,” she muttered.
For a brief moment, silence settled again.
Then C looked up. “Where’s dad?” she asked suddenly.
The question hung in the air. Vivian didn’t respond immediately.
She turned slightly, placing the glass back down before facing her daughter again. “What do you mean?” she asked calmly.
“I mean,” C said, frowning slightly, “I haven’t seen him since he left the house and he’s not answering his calls.”
Vivian’s expression didn’t change.
“You and I are both kid, I haven’t heard from him either,” she replied.
C blinked. “What?”
Vivian shrugged lightly, as though it didn’t concern her. “Your father is a busy man,” she said. “You know how he is.”
C’s frown deepened. “No, this is different,” she said. “Even if he’s busy, he always checks in.”
Vivian turned away slightly, walking toward the window. “Well,” she said, her tone still calm, “maybe he just doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
C watched her carefully now. Something didn’t feel right. “And you’re not worried?” she asked.
Vivian paused briefly before responding.
“Should I be?” she asked, glancing back at her.
C hesitated. “I mean… it’s dad,” she said. “You guys were arguing earlier too.”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed slightly but only for a second. “That has nothing to do with it,” she said smoothly.
C leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “I don’t know,” she muttered. “It just feels weird.”
Vivian turned fully now, her expression soft but firm. “You’re thinking too much,” she said. “He’ll show up when he’s ready.”
C didn’t respond immediately. She just watched her mother and studied her. Trying to read something beneath the surface. But Vivian gave nothing away.
“Have you tried calling him?” C asked again.
Vivian picked up her phone briefly, glancing at it before placing it back down.
“I have,” she lied effortlessly. “No answer.”
C sighed. “That’s exactly what I’m saying,” she replied. “That’s not normal.”
Vivian walked closer now, her tone shifting slightly more controlled and deliberate
“Listen,” she said, “your father is not a child. He can take care of himself.”
C rolled her eyes lightly. “That’s not the point.”
“Then what is the point?” Vivian asked, her voice just a little sharper. C paused then shrugged again. “I just think we should at least try to find out where he is,” she said.
Vivian held her gaze for a moment. Then slowly she smiled. “There’s nothing to worry about,” she said. "In fact the only thing to be worried about is how to get that little bastard out of your stomach.”
C stared at her in shock, she never expected that from her own mother, after all she was the one that pushed her, and made her in this mess.
Vivian turned away, walking back toward the table, her posture relaxed, composed like someone who had everything exactly where she wanted it.
Behind her C watched her quietly trying to figure out what made her change, her earlier curiosity now shifting into something else.
“Or is her mom seeing another man, hmmm, how come I never thought of that.” C said to herself.
“What is that?” Vivian turned to look at, and gave her a questioning look.
“Nothing.” C said and left the living room immediately.