DINNER
The shrill sound of the phone ringing on the table interrupted the joyful buzz of the family’s dinner. Plates clinked as laughter echoed through the room, the aroma of the feast enveloping them like a warm embrace. Auralia Scott, known as Lia to her family, glanced at the screen before answering.
“Hello,” she said, her tone soft and professional.
“Doctor, we have a situation,” Lucy, the receptionist, spoke quickly, her voice tinged with urgency. “Another hundred cases just came in. The VC has called for an emergency meeting with all the head doctors. It’s in an hour.”
Lia’s grip on the phone tightened. “An hour?” she murmured, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“I know it’s short notice,” Lucy sighed, sympathy lacing her voice. “You barely get time with your family as it is.”
“It’s fine, Lucy,” Lia reassured her, though a slight weariness crept into her voice. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Send my love to the family, Doc!” Lucy chirped, attempting to brighten the moment.
Lia smiled faintly. “Will do. Take care, Lucy.”
As she hung up, her expression shifted. The room was still alive with conversation, oblivious to the call. Standing, Lia walked back to the table, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.
“I need to leave,” she said, her voice cutting through the chatter. “The VC’s called for an urgent meeting.” Her gaze landed on her husband, Kyle, as she grabbed her bag.
Kyle’s brows knitted together, and he set down his fork. “Lia, finish your dinner first,” he said quietly, his tone firm but calm.
“The meeting’s in an hour,” Lia replied, a hint of exasperation in her voice as she turned toward the door.
“Lia,” Kyle repeated, his tone now commanding. “Sit down. Finish your food.”
She froze momentarily, her back to him. Without turning, she replied coldly, “I don’t think I need to repeat myself.” The sound of the front door slamming echoed through the house moments later, followed by the roar of her car engine fading into the night.
The once-lively dinner table descended into an uncomfortable silence. Kyle’s jaw tightened, his anger barely concealed.
Melissa, Kyle’s younger sister-in-law, smirked as she resumed eating. “What was all that about? She didn’t need to storm off like that.”
“Melissa, not now,” Luke, her husband and Kyle’s younger brother, warned, his tone sharp.
“No, Luke, she’s got a point,” Gianna, Kyle’s mother, interjected, rolling her eyes. “Just because she’s a doctor doesn’t mean she needs to flaunt it or act like she’s above everyone else.”
“That’s enough!” Kyle bellowed, slamming his fist on the table. Plates rattled as all eyes turned toward him.
“Why did you talk to her like that, Dad?” a small voice cut through the tension.
All heads turned to Emory, Kyle and Lia’s nine-year-old daughter. Her dark brown hair fell in soft waves, framing her determined expression. She stared at her father with her striking blue eyes, a perfect mirror of his own.
“Emory,” Kyle began, his tone icy, “stay out of this.”
“No,” Emory shot back, her voice trembling but steady. “No one talks to my mum like that—not you, not Grandma, not Aunt Melissa. No one.”
Kyle’s gaze hardened, but before he could respond, Emory pushed her chair back with a screech.
“You know what? I’ll leave you all to your dinner,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
“Because I won’t sit with people who think it’s okay to disrespect my mum.”
“Emmy,” Luke called softly, reaching out to her.
“No, Lukey. Not tonight,” she replied, shaking her head. With that, she stormed off to her room, slamming the door behind her.
Luke watched her go, his expression darkening. Turning back to the table, he glared at his family.
“Why would you talk about Lia like that? And in front of Emory?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
“Overreacting much, Luke?” Melissa sniggered, sipping her wine.
Luke’s eyes narrowed. “Melissa, if someone was badmouthing you, would you want your son to sit there quietly?”
Melissa faltered, her smirk fading. She averted her gaze, unable to respond.
“That’s what I thought,” Luke said, his voice cutting like a blade. “Unbelievable. The lot of you are hypocrites.”
Just as he stood to leave, a booming voice stopped him in his tracks.
“No one is leaving this table!” Charles Scott, the family patriarch, commanded. His voice, deep and resonant, silenced the room. Even the usually defiant Gianna lowered her gaze.
“Melissa, Gianna,” Charles continued, his tone cold. “You will both apologize to Lia tomorrow. No arguments.”
Melissa nodded quickly, her face pale. Gianna, on the other hand, rolled her eyes, but her husband’s icy stare left her no room for protest.
Charles sighed, his features softening slightly. “This family,” he said, his voice heavy, “will not tear itself apart because of jealousy or petty behaviour.”
Gianna clenched her jaw but said nothing. She hated how Lia stood up for herself, hated how Charles admired her for it, and most of all, hated how she could never match Lia’s strength.
As the table fell silent once more, the sound of Emory’s muffled cries drifted from her room, a painful reminder of the rift that had formed tonight.
***
Author’s note
I’m back with another story, beautiful people! This one is quite different from what I’ve written before, but I hope you all enjoy it and show this book the same love you always have.
That being said, this was a short chapter, mainly because I’m still figuring out the direction the story will take. Updates hopefully won’t be too far apart, but they may not be as regular either.
I love you all! Thank you for reading! ❤️
