Deadly Silence (complete) Chapter 16

Upon meeting her and watching how she behaved the first evening Sebastian was thankful he’d kept the idea to himself. He didn’t know her in the slightest but she was the spiting image of his mother; she even had a similar voice.

How did he know this when he’d been six when Annie disappeared? The answer was simple: home movies.

Hearing Vivian’s voice had hit Sebastian hard, leaving him feeling off balance, though he was glad to say none of that showed at the time.

When he saw their Auntie Pat, the crazy aunt, chatting with Vivian, Sebastian couldn’t help but worry. They’d been instructed to introduce her as a distant cousin for now, but Auntie Pat was obsessed with her sister. If she realized who Vivian was — and how could she not, when the girl was a close carbon copy of her mother — it would cause a scene, and probably a brawl.

A brawl that included Auntie Pat trying to take down their father, followed by a legal battle to win custody of Vivian and who knew how much drama would come from that.

Drama none of them wanted to deal with.

How she even found out about the memorial service was beyond Sebastian, as the Lamont side of the family kept in low contact with the crazy lady.

Vivian didn’t seem overly bothered by what Auntie Pat had said, but it was difficult to tell when her face showed so few expressions and spoke so little.

As if sensing his stare, Vivian stopped paying attention to her drink and looked over at Sebastian. The way she tilted her head a little to one side, as if asking what was on his mind, made him remember that exact move from one of the home movies — his favourite one, actually — and gave him pause again. “You look just like her,” he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Her body tensed for a second, then relax, her closed expression somehow softening. “Thanks.”

What an odd response, he thought as she returned her attention to the drink in her hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Again she tensed, followed by an odd look crossing her face as she glanced his way. It was as if she didn’t believe him but wouldn’t say so out loud.

“Dad’s been lost since Mom disappeared,” Sebastian explained, leaning forward so his elbows rested on his knees, chin on his intertwined fingers. “But since finding out about you he’s become someone I almost don’t recognize.”

This caught her attention as she turned her face to look at him again, lips pursed so tightly white lines appeared around them. It made Sebastian frown a little, wondering why she couldn’t find it in herself to believe any of his words.

“It’s not a bad thing. Just different. He’s… relaxed… and present. It’s nice. I think finding out about you feels like Mom left him a gift.”

“I’m not.”

Raising his eyebrows, he regarded his sister curiously, a frown furrowing her face. “You’re not?”

“I’m not a gift.”

Letting out a light chuckle, Sebastian tilted his head a little. “Well, not an intentional one, I’m sure. I’m just saying he probably feels that way.”

“I’m not a gift.”

“Why do you think that?”

His counter question had deepened her frown and she looked away, eyes scanning the crowd for a moment before she finally answered. “Because I’m not.”

Was she reiterating herself to avoid delving deeper into the question, or was her reasoning just surface level to begin with? Had being in foster home after foster home make her think her existence was nothing but a burden?

Or was there something from those first eight or so years of her life that made her think so little of herself.

“Unfortunately, you don’t get to decide how he sees you,” Sebastian replied as he held back a smirk.

This earned him a glare from the girl, as if she didn’t appreciate him finding a way to turn it around. Unable to hold back his smirk anymore, Sebastian let it show as he looked up to see Gabriel approaching.

“Bass, Dad’s looking for you.”

Sighing as dramatically as possible, Sebastian pushed himself to his feet. “Very well. Mind keeping Vivian company? Auntie Pat’s been by.”

The grimace that plastered itself on Gabriel’s face was comical as he took the now empty seat. “Of course she came.”

Vivian was looking between the two of them but said nothing.

As he walked by, Sebastian gave her head a pat. “We’ll be out of here soon enough, sis, so just hang in there a while longer.”

Glancing over his shoulder after taking a dozen steps, Sebastian was amused to see the girl patting her hair, as if he’d mussed it and needed fixing.

It didn’t take long to find Samuel, who was talking to two people — a man and woman, both dressed in relatively inexpensive suits — and not looking pleased.

“You were looking for me?” Sebastian interrupted the conversation without bothering with being polite.