A sweet scent floated in the air, that of caramelized vegetables and golden baked bread. In the kitchen, bathed in golden light, Sky was carefully stirring a ladle in a large pot. Her gaze slid toward the clock: 4:10 PM. She gave a half-smile.
— Just a few more minutes, she muttered to herself.
At the same moment, the front door clicked softly. Hasty footsteps echoed in the hallway.
— Girls? I found some treasures!
Maria entered the kitchen, her arms laden with colorful bags. She was still wearing her sunglasses on her forehead, and her fresh scent preceded her. She placed everything on the table and approached Sky.
— Hmm… it smells good in here. Did you cook, my darling?
— You see? Sky replied proudly. And I didn't burn the chicken!
— A real victory, Maria joked.
Mel finally came downstairs, looking half-asleep, her hair messy. She stopped dead in front of the bags.
— What did you buy this time?
— Stuff for tonight, their mother replied with a wink. I thought we could go out just the three of us. There's a new club in town, and I've heard the vibe is amazing.
— You in a club? Mel mocked as she sat down near the table. Are you going to dance with us?
— If I'm in the right mood… maybe I'll show you some moves, Maria said, laughing. And I want us to enjoy ourselves. Just the three of us, like before.
Maria admired her daughters, and for a moment, the world shrank to this kitchen, to these smiles, and this warm connection. It was a simple moment, but precious.
— Alright, she continued as she took the clothes out of the bags. I want your opinions! We'll dine, get ready, and tonight… we'll have fun.
Mel raised her arms to the sky.
— I'm in. But I'm picking my outfit, okay? No way you're giving me your sparkly dress.
— It's stunning, Maria protested.
— It's neon pink, Sky corrected.
And they burst into laughter again, unaware that this moment would become one of the last when everything was still okay.
Meanwhile, in another country, under another sky, in another family, things were unfolding differently.
(At the Carters')
Cassie Carter sat at her desk, focused on the screen of her laptop. Around her, the room was impeccably neat, almost too much. On the walls, constellation paintings, framed diplomas, and shelves laden with scientific books. She had just finished a research project she hoped to publish soon and planned to announce it at dinner.
A light knock echoed against her door. She sighed quietly.
— Cassie? called Don's calm and composed voice. Mom made dinner. You know how she is when she cooks.
— I'm coming. She quickly closed her laptop, stood up, and adjusted herself in the mirror. Hair in place, shirt wrinkle-free. Perfect.
In the dining room, everything gleamed. The table was set with care, as if a photographer might arrive at any moment. Grace Carter, sitting at the end of the table, wore a smile as flawless as her hairdo. Ana, on the other hand, was fiddling with her phone, already looking annoyed.
— Can we just eat without pretending we're in a commercial? she shot.
Grace shot her a dark look.
— A little respect wouldn't hurt you. You think I did all this for what? To be insulted at the table?
— No, to maintain your perfect image. But I didn't sign up for that role.
— Ana! Don said warningly.
— Seriously, continued Ana, we're living in a display case. That's our life. Everything is fake. And you, Dad, don't care. You never say anything.
A cold silence settled. Cassie, caught between two fronts, hesitated to talk about her achievement. It wasn't the right time. She simply lowered her eyes to her plate.
Grace slowly set her fork down, her gaze fixed on Ana like a cold flame.
— You know what's fake here, Ana? Your gratitude. Everything we do for you, and you can't even see it.
— Everything you do? Ana repeated, a bitter laugh in her voice. Since when have you done anything for me without thinking about your image, Mom? You want a well-dressed, well-behaved, brilliant, polite daughter — an extension of your success. But not me. I just want to live!
— You have no idea what it's like to fight for a family. You want us to let you do whatever you want? Go out with that boy with no future, smoke in your room, hang out God knows where at odd hours?
— At least he sees me. He's real. Not like this house where everything sounds fake, even the silences.
Grace suddenly stood up, her chair scraping the floor with a sharp noise.
— Fine. Go meet him. If you think he loves you more than your own family, go throw yourself into his arms. Maybe he'll tolerate you. I'm tired of always having to justify myself. Having a husband who never says a word. A daughter who despises me. And another who…
She turned toward Cassie, about to explode, but stopped. Cassie had her head down, frozen, her shoulders tense.
— I've had enough, Grace murmured. I'm going to bed. Enjoy your meal.
She left the room with a click of her heels, leaving a heavy silence behind her.
Ana also stood up, pushing her chair back with a sharp motion.
— Cassie, I'm sorry you have to live with this. You didn't say anything, but you're thinking it.
Without waiting for a response, she climbed the stairs. Don, impassive, sipped his glass of water slowly, as if he were somewhere else.
Cassie stayed at the table, her heart heavy. The nice evening she had imagined to announce her news had just crumbled, like everything else.
(Back at the Deckers')
Dinner passed in the same cheerful atmosphere. Sky had nailed her dish, Mel devoured her plate, pretending it was only because she skipped breakfast, and Maria pretended not to notice she was already serving herself a third helping.
— Alright, Maria announced, setting down her napkin. In three hours, everyone better be dressed. We leave at 9 sharp.
— Why do you have so much energy? Sky asked, looking at her suspiciously.
— Because I woke up well before 4 PM, Maria retorted, casting a mocking glance at Mel.
— I have an excuse. I was having a very important dream. I was saving the world. Again.
— Saving the world is great, Maria replied. But you'll have to save your hair at least before we leave.
Then, after clearing the table together, each of them went upstairs to get ready in their rooms. The laughter slowly faded, replaced by the music Sky cranked up while rummaging through her closet, the beeps of Mel's straightener, and Maria's comments as she passed from room to room with her bags and opinions.
A little later, they found themselves in front of the living room mirror, all perfectly dressed. Mel had chosen a simple yet elegant black dress, Sky had tied her hair in a messy bun that suited her perfectly, and Maria… Maria shone. A leather skirt, a golden top, a precise line of eyeliner, and a vibrant energy that seemed to rejuvenate her gaze.
— You all look gorgeous, she said sincerely.
— We got it from you, Sky replied, winking.
They left the house laughing, arm in arm. The taxi was already waiting. It was still light, but the sky was beginning to turn purple. One of those warm evenings where everything seems possible.
They walked through the club door like they were stepping into a promise: a moment suspended in time. The music wrapped around them instantly, the bass resonated in their chests, and for a while, they forgot everything else.
But euphoria never lasts.
Around midnight, Maria quietly stepped away from the dance floor.
— I'm going to get some fresh air, girls, she whispered, smiling. Have fun, I'll be back.
Sky gave her a thumbs up without stopping dancing. Mel, however, frowned slightly, not sure why.
Time passed. Too much.
Half an hour. Then an hour.
— She still hasn't come back, Mel murmured, moving closer to Sky.
— Maybe she stayed in the taxi or is talking to someone. You know how she is.
But a dull anxiety had begun to settle. They stepped outside together, their heels clicking on the pavement. The night air was colder now. Too calm.
And that's when Mel stopped dead.
In front of the club, on the windshield of a car parked askew, lay Maria's body.
Her hair, still neatly styled, was soaked in blood, her arms twisted in an odd way. And her eyes, her eyes were wide open and bright red, as if she had seen something extremely terrifying.
In front of the club, on the windshield of a car parked askew, lay Maria's body.
Her hair, still neatly styled, was soaked in blood, her arms twisted in an odd way. And her eyes, her eyes were wide open and bright red, as if she had seen something extremely terrifying. The golden dress shimmered under the streetlight, a cruel reminder of the night that had just ended.
— Mom?… Sky stammered, unable to move.
Mel screamed. And the world turned upside down.