Chapter 37. The Brother

Today marked Silas's father's birthday, an event we were obligated to attend. However, our communication had dwindled into a monotonous routine over the past few days. Our interactions were reduced to the perfunctory – a brief exchange upon waking, a shared meal, a fleeting conversation, followed by a night of restless sleep, only to repeat the cycle.

The impending birthday celebration loomed, and I found myself grappling with the strain in our relationship. I hesitated to force Silas into conversations, sensing the lingering tension between us.

In an attempt to bridge the communication gap, I broached the subject of the party's theme, hoping to inject a semblance of normalcy. "Is there a theme for the party or something?" I inquired, my voice betraying the underlying anxiety.

Silas, with an air of detachment, shook his head. "Just wear anything red," he replied tersely, leaving my attempt at conversation hanging in the air.