Broken Dreams Stories

Chapter 111

The following day, Erie sat at the head of the dining table, dressed in a crisp white shirt. His expression was unreadable as he stirred his coffee absently while thinking about his daughter, Evelyn, and how he had failed her.

Claire, seated beside him, was equally quiet, her eyes downcast as she picked at her fruit salad. She was equally thinking of her daughter, Sandra, and how she had failed to raise her correctly.

The click of heels against the floor announced Sandra’s arrival. She entered the dining room looking forlorn, although her hair was perfectly styled. and her makeup flawlessly applied, as always.

“Good morning!”

“she greeted as she slid into her chair opposite her parents.

Eric and Claire looked up simultaneously, their expressions neutral as they greeted her. “Morning,” Eric muttered, his voice lacking the warmth it usually held.

Claire echoed the greeting with a forced smile, her eyes flickering briefly to Sandra’s before dropping back to her plate.

Sandra didn’t seem to notice the tension in the air, if she did, she chose to ignore it. She poured herself a cup of coffee, her movements smooth and practiced. After taking a sip, she set the cup clown and leaned back in her chair, her gaze flitting between her parents “So,” she began, her tone casual, “how was your date last night?”

Eric and Claire exchanged a quick glance, both of them struggling to maintain their composure. “It was fine, Claire answered, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “We had a nice time.”

clipped. He avoided looking directly at Sandra, focusing instead on his plate as he cut

slightly as she studied them, but she still didn’t pick up on their unease. “That’s great,” she said, her voice light. “You

her coffee, then set the cup down

name from her, as usual, caused Eric’s hand to freeze mid–motion. His jaw clenched, and he slowly set his fork down, his appetite

mistaking his reaction for his usual anger at Evelyn, smirked inwardly, leaned forward in her seat, and sighed as though she was worried that by saying it, she might

not sure if

to speak, then do so. If you won’t, keep shut!” Claire snapped at Sandra,

cousin, Derek. Can you believe

“That’s ridiculous,” she said, her voice

she replied, her tone suggesting that

she knew already because Evelyn had told them about it and had also played the recording of her

and that I could have Michael. I don’t know what I did to her, but she’s always behaving this way, always trying to cause trouble for me. She’s giving our family a bad name. And now, because of her behavior, she’s lost her job,” Sandra

reasons Sandra assumed. He hated hearing her talk about Evelyn this way, spreading more hes and twisting the truth to salt

the growing tension, quickly composed herself. “She lost her job?” she asked, feigning surprise. “Maybe

smile faltered, and for a split second, a scowl threatened to break through her composed exterior. She quickly forced a smile back to her face,

Sandra’s as he asked, “Are you sure about

Cluper li