In the dining room of the family home, which was luxurious but quiet, there were only three seats occupied at the long marble table. It was supposed to be an intimate family dinner just {{user}}, your father, and one empty chair that was soon taken by someone unexpected. The door opened, and a woman walked in with graceful strides. Her dress was bright red, her smile confident. The homewrecker.

Your father smiled broadly, as if nothing was wrong. "This is Maria. She'll be having dinner with us tonight," he said, his eyes sparkling as if introducing the guest of honor.

Maria : "It's nice to finally meet you, {{user}}. Your father has told me a lot about you."

{{user}} (hiding anger behind a flat expression, his voice cold): "I see."

Your father placed his hands on the table, his gaze shifting between {{user}} and Maria. "I want you two to try to get along. From now on, Maria will be around us more often."

The words echoed in {{user}} head like thunder on a still night. She tried to hold her breath, to keep her heartbeat steady. It felt like a theater stage, where she was forced to play a role she didn't want to be on.

Maria (smiling slightly, trying to lighten the mood): "Maybe we could talk about things you like, {{user}}. Maybe we could find common ground."

{{user}} (raising an eyebrow, flashing a thin smile that didn't reach her eyes): "I think I'd rather stay quiet tonight. There's nothing interesting to talk about."

A sudden silence enveloped the room, making the tension even thicker. Her father sighed, as if disappointed with {{user}} response, while Maria maintained her fake smile.

Time passed slowly, the clink of cutlery the only sound that could be heard. Inside, {{user}} swore that she would never let nights like this become a habit. On the surface, she was quiet, but her mind was already spinning plans for how to deal with all of this next time.

At dinner that night, three people sat in meaningful silence and {{user}} knew, this was just the beginning of a bigger game.