The girl I used to know

Silver Lorraine rested her hands lightly on the gilded banister at the top of the Carrington mansion’s grand staircase. From there, she could see the dining table below, where the entire family was gathered for breakfast. Her mother was serving the meal.

Silver looked away. The sight bothered her. She had wanted her mother to stop her domestic employment with the Carringtons since she and Burke first started a relationship, but Tatiana was a stubborn woman.

She looked towards the stairs and the memories it brought raged a storm within her. That was where Burke had dragged her three years ago, refusing to listen to her pleas.

He would be the one begging soon.

Silver looked towards the table again, and she found Burke staring at her, their eyes locked in a heated stare. She cocked her head.

He was unhappy with her presence. He made a big show of trying to kick her out, but all Silver had to do was inform him of the situation with her apartment, and the man realized he had played himself. Silver’s lips curled into a smile as she recollected the expression on his face.

He was frustrated.

Burke looked away. He hated that Silver was back. The whole situation was a mess, and he wished there was a way to work around it, but the will was ironclad. Burke couldn't get around it, no matter how hard he tried.

He heard and felt Silver as she walked down the stairs, his shoulders locked in tension from what he knew would be yet another shit show. He needed a break; his father's funeral was only three days away, and Silver's presence made everything hard.

She had opinions; things she thought Bartholomew would like.

“Beautiful morning, isn't it?" Silver chirped as she reached the landing, her eyes landing on the empty seat beside Burke.

She sashayed to the seat with a broad smile on her face, ignoring the dagger stares aimed at her.

Burke stiffened as Silver settled beside him; the orange and rose scent that infiltrated his lungs had him looking towards her.

His wife immediately grabbed his hand.

“Babe?" Malia called, her voice sultry.

“Yeah?" Burke murmured, clearing his throat as he turned to her.

Of truth, she was a beauty. With bright blonde hair that framed her oval-shaped face, and sharp grey eyes that can charm any man of his wits, paired with her flawless porcelain skin and her impeccable sense of fashion, Malia was a perfect fit for someone of Burke's pedigree.

She was meant for this life. But still, Burke found it hard to accept her. He found it hard to burn for her, half as much as he did for Silver.

“We should go out tonight, let our hair down and have some fun. You look stressed.” She whispered, thumbing his jaw affectionately. "Let me get you away from all this drama." She finished with a meaningful glance at Silver.

Burke sighed and squeezed her hand. He could definitely use some peaceful moments.

“Sure." He muttered. Malia beamed.

"There's no time for that; we still have so many things to get right before the funeral.” Silver declared with a finality that pissed Burke off.

He shot her a glare, his face flushing in annoyance.

“What fresh hell did you smoke this morning?” He snapped

"Gosh, you don't know when to stop.” Malia added, bristling beside her husband.

Silver pretended not to hear the couple, holding her plate steady as her mother filled it.

“Thanks, Ma." She murmured when the woman was done.

Tatiana nodded and shifted away.

Seated at the head of the table, Felicia cleared her throat to gain everyone's attention.

“Tatiana, would you be a dear and tell your daughter to learn her place while she sits at my table?” Felicia said with a sweet smile, but her tone was condescending.

Silver's neck grew hot.

“If you have anything to say, say it to me, not her.” Silver snapped

“Why not? She's your mother." Felicia chirped and shrugged her shoulders.

Silver clenched her jaw, taking a few seconds to gather herself before she spoke again.

“She doesn't have anything to do with this." Silver muttered.

"Really?” Felicia said with an arched brow, her mouth curving into a sinister smile. She shrugged, dramatically picking a napkin off the table and spreading it on her lap.

“I seriously doubt that.” She continued, cutting into her meat. She raised the fork like she wanted to eat, but she paused, a thoughtful look on her face.

“Although one would think sleeping with my husband for three years would make you rich enough to liberate your mother from domestic work.

But let me guess, you were playing the long game, right? Co-CEO, even I wasn't expecting that.” She finished and finally took the fork between her lips, closing the meat into her mouth as she began to chew.

The whole table grew silent, watching Silver as they waited for her comeback.

Burke groaned.

“I don't appreciate being dragged into this, ma'am,” Tatiana spoke before Silver could. "I am satisfied with what life has given me."

"Well your daughter isn't!” Felicia scoffed

“Because I have a mind of my own! How is that her fault?!” Silver exploded, standing up.

“Do not think for a minute that going after my mother is the way to get to me. If anything you will only make me more angry and trust me, you do not want that. I am not here to create trouble, but I will if you force my hand.”

“Where is your shame, you silly girl?!" Felicia spat.

“My shame? Where is yours?!" Silver thundered.

“I gave your husband what you couldn't give him in over thirty-five years of marriage! I gave him happiness, peace, understanding! He told me things I can't even begin to describe how sad they made me for him. So where is your shame? Huh?”

Abruptly, Felicia jerked up her seat, her face hard and her usual cold green eyes now blazing with fire. Silver squared her shoulder.

“You make me sick." She spat at Silver. “And you should be ashamed of yourself, you raised your daughter to follow your wayward footsteps." She finished, pointing at Tatiana. She dumped the napkin on her food before she stalked up the stairs.

The whole room was quiet for a while before Silver turned to her mother, hoping to apologize, but Tatiana shook her head.

Silver sighed as she settled back into her seat.

“How much longer are you going to keep this madness up?" Burke murmured beside her.

Angling her head towards him, Silver gave him a cold, condescending sweep of his full features before she scoffed and turned around and started to eat.

Burke stood up and followed his mother.

“Fool." Silver muttered as she cut into her meat. As she raised her head to chew, her eyes locked with Maya’s.

Maya looked distraught. Her forehead wrinkled with frown lines, and her piercing eyes are searching.

“Hey," Silver murmured. Maya shook her head, massaging her forehead. She blew a loud breath.

Maya's head ached from the many drinks she had had the previous night. It was a miracle she got out of bed, but her mother was determined now more than ever to involve her in the family affairs.

Silver had to see them united.

As she ate, Maya wondered if she ever truly knew Silver. Sure, her mother was no saint, but to speak to her in that manner? And she all but admitted she had an affair with her father.

What had become of the sweet girl she was inseparable with growing up?

“So you really slept with him?" Malia asked Silver.

Silver rolled her eyes as she set her cutlery down.

"And suddenly you think you're better than me, huh?” Silver taunted.

"I didn't sleep with my father-in-law, did I?” Malia retorted.

Silver chuckled. Picking at a strand of her hair, she twirled it.

“And I'm not married to a man who's still hung up on his ex." Silver said.

Malia blanched, her face reddening.

“That's not true." She muttered.

“It isn't? Did Burke tell you he was at my apartment three days ago? That he kissed me and we would have had sex if I didn't throw him out?”

A sly smile formed on Silver's face as she watched Malia's face further reddening in anger and humiliation.

The blonde got up, her heels clacking noisily as she walked away.

Maya chuckled, gaining Silver's attention.

“What?" Silver asked.

"God, I don't recognize you anymore.” She said with a laugh.

Silver smiled.

"I'm trying to decide if you meant that as a compliment or an insult?” Silver whispered, placing her elbows on the table, and she dropped her face into her palms.

More than anything, she wanted to tell Maya everything. She was her best friend, the one person to whom she could always talk without fear of judgment or persecution.

“Depends. Why are you back?” Maya whispered, her gaze intent.

Silver paused, taking a moment to choose her words carefully.

“To get what I'm owed."

“Owed? What are you owed, Silver?"

“Respect. Justice. A life I deserve." Silver declared confidently.

“You don't sound like the Silver I used to know."

“Then maybe you should get to know this new Silver, you'll love her." Silver said and winked, hoping to lighten the mood. Maya wasn't moved.

" Will I? She's hellbent on causing my family grief.” Maya huffed.

"Now you know that's not true. I don't bite unprovoked.” Silver murmured.

"Yeah, that's the thing, though. You didn't bark even when provoked years ago.”

Silver shrugged.

"It's like you said, I'm not the Silver you used to know. This is the better version."

Maya laughed, and Silver joined in. For a minute, it felt like all was right in the world again.

A staff member walked to the table, breaking the moment.

“What is it?" Silver asked.

“You have a guest, ma'am."

Silver frowned. She wasn't expecting anyone.

“Who?"

The staff hesitated, biting her lips.

"What?” Silver pressed.

“Your lover, ma'am." The lady said with a bowed head.

“My what now?" Silver barked, pushing up. That couldn't be right.