The morning after the wedding came softly. Sunlight shone through the windows, lighting up the house that still looked like it had been part of a celebration. There were flower petals on the floor, empty teacups here and there, and the soft sound of someone moving dishes around in the kitchen.
Ulmea woke up to the sound of laughter coming from downstairs. She stretched and blinked slowly.
Downstairs, Flossy was spinning slowly with a ribbon in her hand, smiling brightly. Alex was sitting on the couch with a cushion pressed to his face, mumbling.
"Can't believe that was all yesterday," he said.
Flossy glanced at him. "Feels like a week passed in one day."
Liora walked in, holding a tray with tea. "That's what weddings do."
Fiora and Riley sat on the couch, speaking quietly with Lyra about their travel plans. There was peace in the air. The house felt calm now. After all the noise and people, things were quiet again.
In the dining room, Helya was carefully folding a shawl that had been left on the back of a chair. She paused for a moment, looking around at the mess with a gentle smile, then continued cleaning.
Ulmea came down the stairs and leaned against the staircase for a second, watching the scene. For once, no one was rushing anywhere. The calm was strange, but not unwelcome.
"Morning," she said, her voice still soft from sleep.
"Morning!" Flossy chirped, skipping over with the ribbon. "We saved you a piece of cake!"
"You did?" Ulmea smiled.
"Only because I made Lora swear not to eat it," Flossy said.
In the kitchen, Lyra and Helya shared a quiet conversation while putting away dishes. Liora joined them, offering to dry the plates. There was a comfort in this simple work, after weeks of planning and stress, the silence felt like rest.
Later in the day, Wystan sat alone in the study, a folder resting on his lap. Aslan entered, shutting the door behind him.
Wystan didn't look up. "This isn't something we can just forget."
Aslan nodded slowly. "I know. Someone's trying to cause trouble on purpose. They won't stop on their own."
Wystan looked at him. "We won't tell anyone for now. But we'll stay alert. We won't let our guard down."
Aslan leaned back. "Do we know who did it?"
"The police said it was our neighbor, the one who's never been on good terms with us. They confirmed the call came from his house. There wasn't much need for investigation. But even so, we'll stay cautious."
There was a short pause. Wystan placed the folder on the table and stood, walking toward the window.
"The wedding gave us a break," he said. "But we can't afford to relax for too long."
Aslan agreed silently.
Outside, the wind had picked up, brushing leaves across the driveway. Inside, the house remained full of warmth, laughter, and soft footsteps, completely unaware of what still stirred beneath the surface
___
Ulmea stood near a window, arms resting on the sill. Outside, the rain was pouring gently and silently. The sky was grey and soft, full of low clouds that looked like they had something to say but wouldn't.
She could see the trees swaying as the rain gently poured over the leaves in the yard. Raindrops fell from the rooftop with a soft, musical rhythm.
The ground was wet, and small puddles had formed outside.
Everything looked peaceful... as if the world had slowed down, leaving only silence and calm.
She didn't move much. She just stood there, watching.
She wasn't really looking at the trees and plants. She was thinking.
About time.About how quickly it moved.How it passed without asking.
How it changed things quietly, without warning.
And just like that, days had passed. First weeks, then months. Then years. Time didn't stop. It never does.
Everything looked the same. But Ulmea could feel it; something had changed.
Sometimes, when no one was talking, it felt like the house was listening.
Waiting.
Like something unspoken sat quietly in the corners, waiting.
Ulmea didn't say anything. She just listened to the quiet. And in that quiet, something waited.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Liora appeared in the doorway, holding two steaming mugs.
"You looked like you needed this," she said gently.
Ulmea turned and accepted the cup. The warmth was welcome. "Thanks," she said softly
They stood side by side for a moment, sipping their drinks in silence.
"It's been a quiet day," Liora said, eyes also watching the rain. "But sometimes I think... the quiet is where everything hides."
Ulmea glanced at her, curious. "Like what?"
Liora shrugged. "Feelings. Fears. Secrets. They all settle into the quiet like dust."
Ulmea gave a small nod. She understood.
Behind them, the house remained calm. But outside the window, the wind shifted.
Something was coming.
And somehow, they both felt it.
The rain tapped a little harder now, a soft rhythm on the glass.
Liora turned toward the hallway. "Come on, let's check the fridge."
Ulmea gave a small smile and followed her out of the room, both mugs still warm in their hands.
Downstairs, Flossy was now humming while gathering petals into a small basket. Alex was sitting on the carpet playing with cars.
"You both look like you just woke up," Alex said as the girls entered.
"Close enough," Ulmea replied, sitting on the arm of the couch.
"We're looking for something sweet," Liora added.
"Check the fridge, there's still some pudding left in one of the containers, I think," Flossy said without looking up.
Ulmea tilted her head. "We still have pudding?"
"Clearly," Flossy said. "Unless someone already attacked it."
They laughed. And for a while, the storm outside was forgotten.
But the wind, steady and strange, kept moving the clouds above.
Ulmea stepped into the kitchen and opened the fridge. The cold air spilled out slowly. Her eyes scanned the shelves.
There was a small glass bowl covered with plastic wrap, creamy pudding still inside. She smiled faintly and reached for it.
Just as her fingers touched the edge of the bowl, a sharp voice echoed from the hallway.
"Aslan! What do you mean you're not coming back?"
It was her dad (Wystan).
The bowl slipped slightly in her grip.
Footsteps followed. Urgent. Quick.
"I said I'll handle it. Just don't tell anyone yet," Aslan replied, his voice tense.
Ulmea froze, pudding still in hand, her heart suddenly beating faster.
Something was definitely coming.
And it had already started.