Chapter 7

"Shattered Silence"

Vivienne's POV:

I woke up around nine in the morning, the weight of exhaustion still lingering in my body. After a quick shower, I made my way to the kitchen, desperate for coffee to shake off the haze. As I poured the steaming brew into my cup, I heard Caroline's door creak open.

"Do you want some coffee, Care?" I asked, my voice a little hoarse. She nodded eagerly, and I handed her a cup before we both settled down at the table.

Just as I took my first sip, Caroline's phone rang. It was lying face-up on the table, and I caught the name. A shiver ran down my spine. She picked it up with a bright smile, her excitement clear in her voice.

"Daddy, how are you?" she said happily, already engrossed in the video call.

His voice, warm and full of love, hit me like a wave. I hadn't heard it in years, though it felt like a lifetime ago. A part of me screamed at me to get up, to leave the room. But my body didn't move. I stayed, frozen, staring at my cup.

His words echoed in my mind. I'm not your dad. You're not my daughter. You never will be.

The memory of my father's rejection, his coldness, still haunted me. The little girl I used to be would never forget the pain of begging him to love her-to treat her like his child-only to be met with nothing but cruel words.

I watched as Caroline and her father shared a joyful conversation, the love in his voice a stark contrast to the emptiness I had once felt. Tears blurred my vision.

The past came rushing back-those moments of longing, of rejection. I was never his. I was always the one left behind.

I remembered the days when I begged him, over and over, to love me. My voice was small, desperate as I whispered, "I love you, I'm sorry... please forgive me."

But instead of comfort, I was met with disdain. "I would rather die than have you as a daughter. You're nothing but a failure. Don't ever think I'll love you."

The words sliced through me, and I felt the weight of them crushing my chest. I sat there, a child in a woman's body, as my heart shattered over and over again.

Caroline's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "How's school going, honey? You know I'm always proud of you, right?" she said, smiling brightly, but I could barely hear her words over the ringing in my ears.

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I couldn't breathe. I needed to leave. To escape. The memories were suffocating.

Before I knew it, my legs were moving, carrying me away from the table, away from the conversation. I ran. I didn't know where I was going-I just needed to get away.

My feet carried me deep into the woods, into unfamiliar territory. I didn't care anymore. I was running from the pain, from the memories. I ran until I stumbled across a river, its soft current glistening in the sunlight. The beauty of the place did nothing to calm the storm inside me.

I collapsed to my knees, the tears falling freely. My powers, reacting to my heartbreak, began to swirl around me like a storm. I could feel the energy building, raging within me.

And then it happened. I didn't even have to try. The red glow exploded from my hands, spreading through the air. The trees around me shattered. The ground trembled. The once peaceful riverbank was now a chaotic scene of destruction.

I stared, horrified, as the red energy twisted and turned, wrecking everything in its path. My powers were out of control, and I was terrified of what I could do.

I curled my fists tightly, focusing on my breath. Slowly, my powers began to calm, retracting into my body as I regained control. It took everything I had to stop the chaos, but I did it.

The forest around me was no longer beautiful. It was ruined. I had ruined it. My heart felt heavy as I stood up, wiping the tears from my face. I had to leave. For everyone's sake. My powers were too dangerous, and I couldn't risk hurting anyone.

I took one last look at the destruction and turned away, my body heavy with guilt. I had to fix this. I had to leave for a while.

Author's POV:

When Vivianne returned home, Caroline was waiting for her. "Where did you go so suddenly?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Vivianne looked at her, a faint smile on her lips. "I got a call. I just needed some air," she lied smoothly.

Caroline, not buying it completely, nodded. "Oh, I see," she said softly.

Vivianne took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Caroline, I need to go to New York. There's something I have to take care of. I'll be back in a few days."

Caroline's face fell. "You won't be gone for long, right?"

Vivianne smiled gently. "No, Care. It'll be just a few days. I'll be back before you know it."

"But did you tell Mom?" Caroline asked.

Vivianne shook her head. "I haven't yet, but I'm going to now. I need to leave today."

Caroline threw her arms around Vivianne, hugging her tightly. "Come back soon, okay? I'll miss you so much. Who will I gossip with if you're gone?"

Vivianne chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around Caroline. "You can call me whenever you need to talk. I'll always be here for you, even if I'm miles away."

After they broke the hug, Vivianne went to the police station to find her mother. She told her about her trip, and although her mom was initially concerned, Vivianne reassured her that it would only be for a few days.

Her mom, though reluctant, hugged her tightly. "Stay safe. I'll miss you."

"I will, Mama," Vivianne said, her heart heavy. She had to leave. She had to find a way to tame the storm inside her before she hurt anyone she loved.

As she packed her bags, Caroline came to see her off. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged Vivianne one last time. "Please come back soon, Viv. I love you."

Vivianne smiled softly, her own eyes misting over. "I love you too, Care. Don't cry. I'll be okay."

With one last wave, Vivianne headed to the airport, her heart torn in two. She hated leaving her family, but she had no choice. She needed space to control her powers before they consumed her.

As she boarded the plane, she knew it was the right decision-though it hurt more than she could admit.

__________________________________________

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! Thank you so much for your patience. I know it's been a while since I last updated, but university work has kept me pretty busy. I truly appreciate each and every one of you who's stuck with this story so far. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that Vivianne's emotional journey resonated with you.

There's a lot more to come, and I'm so excited to continue exploring the complex dynamics between Vivianne, Caroline, and the rest of the characters. Please don't forget to vote and leave your thoughts in the comments-I love hearing from you all and reading your theories or feedback!

Stay tuned for more!

Love,
Your writer<3