I Was Abducted, and My Dad Thought I Was Just Drama

It had been a week since I vanished, and life went on like nothing happened. I had hoped someone would notice my absence, but as I drifted through the familiar places I once called home, it felt like I had never existed at all.

The first sign of concern came from Leo. He had that uncanny ability to sense when something was off, especially when it involved family. Fiercely loyal to my father, Martinez, he was always the one who kept an eye on things. But even he seemed oblivious, too caught up in the chaos of the family business. It took my absence from an important business event for him to finally catch on.

The night of the gathering arrived, a lavish celebration meant to toast another successful deal with one of their allies. Laughter and the clinking of glasses echoed throughout the mansion, creating a stark contrast to my silence. I was gone, and no one cared enough to look for me.

“Where’s Selene?” Leo’s voice cut through the chatter as he approached my father, who was deep in conversation with a couple of associates. Leo’s brow was furrowed with concern. “She hasn’t shown up.”

Martinez glanced over, momentarily distracted from the business talk. “She probably got caught up in something,” he replied dismissively, waving a hand like my absence didn’t matter.

“Aren’t you worried? This isn’t like her,” Leo pressed, his voice low but insistent. I imagined him leaning in closer, trying to get my father to see sense. He could be intimidating when he wanted to be.

Martinez shrugged, his focus drifting back to the deals and numbers swirling around him. “There are more important things to worry about than her. We have a rival gang to crush, and I don’t have time to babysit.”

“She’s your daughter, Dad!” Leo shot back, a rare edge creeping into his tone. “You can’t just ignore her. What if something’s wrong?”

Martinez’s expression hardened, annoyance creeping into his features. “Selene is an adult. She can take care of herself. We have business to handle.”

Leo’s jaw clenched as he stepped back, frustration radiating from him. He was always the dutiful son, doing his best to keep Martinez happy, but my absence was starting to crack his facade. I felt the tension building, a reminder of how quickly loyalty could be tested.

As I floated nearby, watching the exchange, a pang of sadness hit me, mixed with betrayal. I wanted to scream, to let Leo know I was still here, that I hadn’t just vanished. But all I could do was watch him grapple with a father who would rather focus on his empire than acknowledge his own flesh and blood.

The evening rolled on, filled with laughter and celebrations while I lingered in the background, unseen and unheard. I floated through the room, watching as Martinez held court, charming his guests and basking in their adoration. I had always been a shadow in his light, and now I felt even more invisible.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the sound of music, the weight of my absence pressed heavily on my chest. I had wanted to be part of this world, to share in the laughter and success. But as the night wore on, I realized how futile that desire had been. Martinez had never wanted me here, and now I was just a ghost haunting the edges of their perfect lives.

As the evening began to wind down, I watched Leo mingle with the guests, putting on a brave face even as worry clouded his eyes. He was the one who truly cared, the one who noticed when something was off. I wanted to reach out, to let him know I was still here, still his sister, but the words wouldn’t come.

Hours passed, and as guests began to leave, their laughter fading into the night, Leo lingered for a moment longer. His expression was somber as he looked around, probably searching for a sign of me. I felt a flicker of hope that he might realize I was gone, that he might search for me, but that moment passed as quickly as it came.

Eventually, he walked away, leaving the mansion behind. I floated there, lost in my thoughts, feeling more alone than ever. Did he even realize how much I craved his support, his acknowledgment? I had spent years trying to find a way to be seen, to be accepted by this family, and now it felt like I was just a forgotten memory.

The night air was crisp as I drifted through the empty halls, each room a reminder of the life I once had. I remembered the birthdays and holidays spent in this house, trying to make my father proud, trying to fit into a mold that was never meant for me.

But no more. I was done chasing after their approval. I was tired of being the invisible daughter, the afterthought. At that moment, I made a silent promise to myself: I would find a way to be more than just a ghost haunting the edges of my father’s life. I would not let them forget me!