Chapter 26
The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of the Blackwood mansion's dining room, casting a warm glow on the four figures seated around the ornate table. Reginald sat at the head, his silver hair catching the light as he surveyed his family and their guest. To his right, Vivi picked at her food, her eyes darting between her plate and the others at the table. Across from her, Damien slouched in his chair, tension evident in the set of his shoulders. Beside him, Ava sat with perfect posture, a confident smile playing on her lips.
The maid moved silently around them, refilling coffee cups and clearing empty plates. The clinking of silverware against fine china punctuated the uncomfortable silence that had settled over the group.
Reginald cleared his throat, his piercing blue eyes landing on Ava. "So, Damien," he began, his tone casual but laced with curiosity, "who might this lovely young lady be?"
Damien's fork froze halfway to his mouth. He glanced at Ava, then at Vivi, before turning to his father. His mouth opened, but before he could form a response, Ava's melodious voice cut through the tension.
"I'm Ava," she said, her smile widening as she placed a hand on Damien's arm. "Damien's girlfriend. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blackwood."
Vivi's head snapped up at Ava's words. Her eyes locked with Damien's across the table, a mix of emotions flashing across her face—surprise, hurt, and something that might have been anger. Damien held her gaze for a moment before looking away, his jaw clenching.
Reginald's eyebrows rose slightly, but his expression remained neutral. "Is that so?" he mused, looking between Damien and Ava. "Well, it's wonderful to meet you, Ava. I trust you're enjoying your stay with us?"
As Ava launched into a charming response, Vivi turned her attention back to her plate. She stabbed at a piece of fruit with more force than necessary, her knuckles white around the fork. The conversation continued around her, but she barely heard it, lost in her own tumultuous thoughts.
As the breakfast conversation continued, Vivi found herself struggling to maintain her composure. Every laugh from Ava, every shared glance between her and Damien, sent a jolt of unease through Vivi's body. She pushed her food around her plate, appetite gone, her mind racing with conflicting emotions.
Reginald seemed oblivious to the underlying tension, chatting amiably with Ava about her background and interests. Damien contributed occasionally, his responses clipped and guarded. Vivi couldn't help but notice how his eyes kept flickering towards her, only to dart away when she caught him looking.
When the meal finally ended, Vivi excused herself quickly, desperate for a moment alone. She retreated to the library, her sanctuary within the sprawling mansion. As she ran her fingers along the spines of leather-bound books, she tried to make sense of the turmoil in her heart.
Why did it bother her so much to see Damien with Ava? She had pushed him away, chosen her family's security over the intense connection they shared. This was what she wanted, wasn't it? For him to move on, to treat her as nothing more than his stepmother?
But the memory of Ava's hand on Damien's arm, the easy intimacy between them, made Vivi's stomach churn. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. This was ridiculous. She was a married woman, for heaven's sake. She had no right to feel jealous or possessive over her stepson.
A soft knock on the library door startled Vivi from her thoughts. She turned to see Damien standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and hesitant.
Vivi's heart raced, but she nodded, gesturing for him to come in. As Damien closed the door behind him, Vivi steeled herself for whatever was to come, knowing that this conversation had the potential to change everything.
Damien stepped into the library, his presence filling the room with a palpable tension. Vivi's fingers tightened on the book she held, her knuckles turning white as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"I think we need to clear the air," Damien said, his voice low and controlled. "This situation... it's not sustainable."
Vivi nodded, unable to find her voice. She watched as Damien paced, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I know you said we should forget everything, that you're just my stepmother now," he continued. "But I can't pretend that what happened between us meant nothing."
His words hit Vivi like a physical blow. She turned away, facing the bookshelves to hide the emotions playing across her face.
"Damien, we can't-"
"I know," he interrupted. "I know we can't be together. But seeing you with my father, hearing you last night... it's tearing me apart."
Vivi spun around, her eyes wide. "You heard?"
A bitter smile twisted Damien's lips. "Hard not to. Was that your intention?"
Shame and desire warred within Vivi. She wanted to deny it, to maintain the facade of the dutiful wife and stepmother. But something in Damien's gaze broke through her defenses.
"I don't know what I'm doing anymore," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I could compartmentalize, put my feelings aside for the sake of my family. But seeing you with Ava..."
She trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Damien took a step closer, his eyes searching her face.
"What about Ava?" he pressed.
Vivi's breath caught in her throat. She knew she should back away, maintain the distance between them. Instead, she found herself drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.
"I hated it," she confessed. "I hated seeing her touch you, hearing you together. I know I have no right to feel this way, but I can't help it."
Damien and Vivi stood in tense silence, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. Their eyes locked, conveying feelings they dared not voice aloud.
Vivi took a deep breath, steadying herself. "We can't keep doing this, Damien. It's not fair to anyone - not to your father, not to Ava, and not to ourselves."
Damien nodded slowly, his jaw clenched. "I know. But I can't just turn off my feelings like a switch."
"Neither can I," Vivi admitted softly. "But we have to try. For everyone's sake."
They both startled as the library door opened. Reginald strode in, his face lighting up at the sight of Vivi.
"There you are, my dear," he said warmly. "I've been looking for you. I have a surprise planned for this evening."
Vivi forced a smile, acutely aware of Damien's presence. "That sounds lovely, darling. What did you have in mind?"
As Reginald detailed his plans for a romantic dinner, Vivi's gaze kept drifting to Damien. His expression was carefully neutral, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands clenched at his sides.
"Damien, you're welcome to join us," Reginald offered, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents in the room. "Why don't you bring Ava along? We could make it a double date."
Vivi's heart clenched at the suggestion, but she kept her face composed. Damien hesitated, clearly torn.
"I'll... have to check with Ava," he said finally. "But thank you for the invitation, Dad."
As Reginald left the library, chattering excitedly about his plans, Vivi and Damien exchanged one last, loaded glance. The weight of everything unsaid hung heavy between them as they parted ways, each grappling with the impossible situation they found themselves in.