All Chapters of When the house fell silent : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Chapter 24 – Shadows and Choices Morning Shadows The morning light leaked through the curtains in streaks, but it did nothing to lift the heaviness inside the house. Sandra was the first awake. She sat at the kitchen counter, pouring hot water over teabags, staring into the steam as though it could give her answers. Abby stumbled in soon after, still in his robe. His eyes were bloodshot, and his hair stuck up at odd angles. “You’re up early,” he mumbled. “I never really slept,” Sandra replied, stirring her tea. “Dreams won’t leave me alone.” Abby frowned. “Dreams? About what?” She hesitated, then looked him in the eye. “About failing. About you being disappointed.” The words lodged in his chest. He opened his mouth, but before he could respond, Tshepo barged in, tossing his jacket onto the chair. He smelled faintly of smoke and cheap alcohol. Abby’s brows knitted. “You didn’t come home last night.” Tshepo shrugged. “Didn’t feel like it.” Sandra frowned. “Where

Chapter 26 – Storms at the Gate Sandra’s Breaking Glass The morning sun poured into the kitchen, but warmth didn’t reach Sandra. She had her textbooks open, coffee steaming beside her, but nothing would stay in her head. Her mother’s voice drifted from the living room. “Sandra, hurry, you’ll be late for class.” “I’m not going today,” Sandra snapped, louder than she meant. The whole house froze. Abby appeared at the door, holding his youngest son. “Excuse me?” Sandra’s chest heaved. “I said I’m not going. I’m tired, Baba. I can’t keep doing this. The sleepless nights, the pressure, the—” Her voice cracked. “I can’t breathe anymore.” Abby’s face hardened. “You think life cares about your feelings? You think medicine is easy for anyone? This is what sacrifices look like.” The cup slipped from Sandra’s hand, shattering against the tiles. The sound cut through the house like thunder. “I’m not your trophy!” she shouted, tears streaming down her face. “I’m your daughter,

Chapter 28 – Secrets and Shadows Sandra’s Secret Escape Sandra had stopped going to half her medical lectures. Instead, she sneaked into the arts department where students painted, danced, and performed spoken word poetry. She stood in the back of a dimly lit hall, her hoodie up, as a boy recited lines about freedom and identity. For the first time in months, she felt something stir inside her—not pressure, not expectation, but joy. “Do you perform?” one of the girls whispered beside her. Sandra hesitated, then shook her head. “No… not really.” “Your eyes say otherwise,” the girl replied with a grin. “Come next week. The stage is waiting.” Sandra smiled faintly, but her heart raced. If Baba ever found out… When she got home, Abby was sitting on the couch with a newspaper open, his eyes scanning every line like he was searching for control in print. “How was class?” he asked without looking up. Sandra swallowed. “Good. Just… long.” “Keep it that way,” Abby muttere

Chapter 30 – Breaking Points and Hidden Truths The sun rose over the town, diffused through gray clouds, casting a muted light on the Mokoena household. Inside, the day began not with calm, but with tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. Tshepo woke first, the early morning hours stolen by worry and guilt. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, running through the consequences of last night’s encounter with the loan sharks. If I fail, they’ll come for me. And if they come for me… they’ll come for all of us, he thought. His fingers clenched the bedsheet, white knuckles signaling the fear he refused to voice. From down the hall, Gail’s muffled groans betrayed her struggle to get out of bed. She had been up late writing about the family,documenting every crack, every failure, every secret, trying to make sense of chaos that threatened to overwhelm them all. Even she, the observer, felt powerless. Mathapelo stirred weakly. Her legs, crippled by the curse Kate had imposed,

Chapter 32 – Collision of Secrets The early morning sunlight struggled through gray clouds, casting an uneasy glow over the Mokoena household. Inside, tensions from the night before had not eased; they had only grown, like cracks spreading silently through the walls. Sandra awoke with a sense of dread. Last night’s performance had been exhilarating, but Abby’s discovery of her online poetry hung over her like a guillotine. Her hands trembled as she typed a private note to herself: Don’t let him see. Not yet. Not until I can explain. Meanwhile, Abby paced in his study. Whiskey bottle half-empty, eyes narrowed at his phone. Sandra’s post had been unmistakable. The words, the voice behind them—it was his daughter. Pride and anger collided in his chest. She defies me. She hides from me. And yet… I am proud. Abby Confronts Sandra By mid-morning, Abby sought Sandra in her room. He knocked once—soft, controlled—but his voice carried unmistakable authority. “Sandra,” he said, step