Chapter 27

Vivi retreated to her bedroom, her mind in turmoil. She paced the plush carpet, her thoughts a jumbled mess of conflicting emotions. Part of her longed to run to Damien, to throw caution to the wind and give in to her feelings. But the rational side of her brain reminded her of the consequences, of the pain it would cause, of the life she had chosen for her family's sake.

Meanwhile, Damien found himself in his own private hell. He wandered the grounds of the estate, trying to clear his head. The thought of sitting through dinner, watching his father dote on Vivi while pretending everything was normal, made his stomach churn. He pulled out his phone, staring at Ava's number. She was fun, uncomplicated. Maybe if he threw himself into their relationship, he could forget about Vivi.

As evening approached, the tension in the mansion grew thick. Reginald bustled about, excited for the dinner he had planned. He was oblivious to the undercurrents of emotion swirling around him.

Vivi stood before her closet, trying to choose an outfit. She found herself wondering what Damien would think of each dress, then chastising herself for the thought. She settled on a deep blue number that hugged her curves, telling herself she was dressing for her husband, not her stepson.

Damien, after much internal debate, decided to attend the dinner. He texted Ava, inviting her along. Her enthusiastic response left him feeling both relieved and guilty. At least he wouldn't have to face this alone.

As the hour of the dinner approached, Vivi steeled herself. She practiced her smile in the mirror, determined to play her part convincingly. She was Reginald's wife, Damien's stepmother. Nothing more. She repeated it like a mantra, hoping that if she said it enough, her heart would finally believe it.

The dinner party commenced with an air of palpable tension. Reginald, oblivious to the undercurrents, beamed with pride as he introduced Vivi to his business associates. She played her part flawlessly, laughing at the right moments and engaging in polite conversation.

Damien arrived fashionably late, Ava on his arm. He pointedly avoided looking at Vivi, focusing instead on charming the other guests. Ava, sensing the underlying tension, redoubled her efforts to keep Damien's attention. She draped herself over him, whispering in his ear and giggling at his jokes.

Vivi found her gaze drawn to Damien despite her best efforts. Each time she saw Ava touch him, a sharp pain lanced through her chest. She masked her discomfort with practiced ease, but inside, she was a roiling mess of emotions.

As the evening wore on, the guests began to mingle more freely. Vivi found herself cornered by an older gentleman who droned on about golf. She nodded politely, her mind elsewhere. Across the room, she caught sight of Damien leading Ava onto the terrace. The intimate gesture made her stomach clench.

Reginald, ever the gracious host, was deep in conversation with a potential investor. He occasionally glanced at Vivi, smiling proudly. She returned his smiles mechanically, feeling more like a prized possession than a wife.

Out on the terrace, Damien leaned against the railing, staring out into the darkness. Ava pressed herself against him, running her fingers through his hair. "You seem distracted," she murmured. "Let me help you relax." She pulled him into a deep kiss, her hands roaming his body.

Vivi, seeking a moment's respite, excused herself and headed for the powder room. As she passed the terrace doors, she caught sight of Damien and Ava's passionate embrace. She quickened her pace, her heart hammering in her chest.

In the sanctuary of the powder room, Vivi gripped the edge of the sink, struggling to regain her composure. She stared at her reflection, barely recognizing the woman looking back at her. How had her life become so complicated? She took several deep breaths, forcing herself to remember why she had made this choice. Her family needed her. She couldn't throw it all away for a forbidden attraction.

Vivi composed herself and returned to the party, her mask of polite indifference firmly in place. As she reentered the main room, she overheard Damien's voice.

"Ava, darling, why don't you grab us some drinks?" he said, his tone artificially cheerful.

"Of course, baby. Be right back," Ava replied, sauntering off towards the bar.

Vivi found herself alone near Damien, the tension between them palpable. He glanced at her, his expression unreadable.

"Enjoying the party, stepmother?" Damien asked, his voice low and laced with sarcasm.

Vivi flinched at the title but maintained her composure. "It's lovely. Your father has outdone himself."

"I'm sure he has," Damien muttered. "Tell me, does he satisfy you the way I did?"

Vivi's eyes widened. "Damien, please. This isn't appropriate."

"What's not appropriate is you pretending you don't feel anything for me," he hissed.

Before Vivi could respond, Reginald approached, wrapping an arm around her waist. "There you are, my dear. I hope you two are getting along."

"Splendidly, Father," Damien said, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Vivi was just telling me how satisfied she is with her new life."

Vivi forced a laugh. "Oh, you know how grateful I am, darling," she said to Reginald, ignoring the flash of hurt in Damien's eyes.

Ava returned, handing Damien a drink. "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing important," Damien said, downing his drink in one gulp. "Just family chit-chat."

The four of them stood in awkward silence until Reginald spoke up. "Well, I should mingle. Vivi, come along. There are some people I'd like you to meet."

As they walked away, Vivi heard Ava's voice behind her. "Dance with me, Damien. I want to show you off."

Vivi's heart clenched, but she plastered on a smile and followed Reginald into the crowd, leaving Damien and her conflicted feelings behind.

The party continued into the night, with Vivi and Damien carefully avoiding each other. As the guests began to depart, Reginald pulled Vivi aside.

"My dear, I have some business to attend to in the study. Why don't you retire for the evening? I'll join you later," he said, kissing her cheek.

Vivi nodded, relieved to have an excuse to leave. As she made her way upstairs, she heard hushed voices coming from Damien's room. Curiosity got the better of her, and she paused outside his door.

"Come on, Damien. The party's over. Let's have some fun," Ava's voice purred.

"I'm not really in the mood, Ava," Damien replied, his voice tired.

"Is this about her? Your father's wife?" Ava asked, a hint of irritation in her tone.

There was a long pause before Damien spoke again. "It's complicated."

"It doesn't have to be," Ava insisted. "I'm here, and I want you. Isn't that enough?"

Vivi held her breath, waiting for Damien's response. When it came, his voice was barely above a whisper.

"I don't know if it is."

Ava's frustrated sigh was audible through the door. "Fine. Call me when you figure it out."

Vivi quickly retreated to her room as she heard Ava's heels clicking down the hallway. She sat on the edge of her bed, her mind racing.

A soft knock on her door startled her. "Come in," she called, expecting Reginald.

Instead, Damien stepped into the room, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

"We need to talk," he said simply.

Vivi stood, her heart pounding. "Damien, I don't think—"

"No, you don't get to run away this time," he interrupted, closing the door behind him. "I heard you outside my room. How much did you hear?"

Vivi swallowed hard. "Enough."

Damien took a step closer. "Then you know this thing between us isn't over. Not for me, and I don't think it is for you either."

"It has to be," Vivi whispered, her resolve weakening. "Your father—"

"I don't care about my father," Damien said fiercely. "I care about you. And I think you care about me too."