Chapter 46

As they finished their desserts, Reginald's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and frowned. "Excuse me, I need to take this. Business never sleeps."

He stepped away from the table, leaving Vivi, Damien, and Sophia in an awkward silence.

Sophia, ever the peacemaker, spoke up. "So, Vivi, how are you settling into the family?"

Vivi smiled gratefully at her stepdaughter. "It's been... an adjustment. But everyone's been very welcoming."

"Even me?" Damien asked, his tone unreadable.

Vivi met his gaze. "Yes, even you."

Sophia looked between them, sensing the underlying tension. "Well, I think we make a pretty great team. Don't you agree, Damien?"

Damien nodded slowly. "Yeah, we do."

"Speaking of teams," Vivi said, desperate to change the subject, "how's your art collective going, Sophia?"

Sophia's face lit up. "Oh, it's amazing! We're planning a big exhibition next month. You should all come."

"Wouldn't miss it," Damien replied.

"Count me in," Vivi added.

Reginald returned to the table, looking preoccupied. "Sorry about that. Where were we?"

"Sophia was just telling us about her upcoming exhibition," Vivi explained.

"Ah, yes. Looking forward to it, sweetheart," Reginald said, patting Sophia's hand.

As the conversation continued, Vivi found herself relaxing. Despite the complicated dynamics, there was a warmth to this family that she was starting to appreciate.

"So, Damien," Reginald said, "have you given any more thought to that business proposal I mentioned?"

Damien hesitated. "I'm still considering it, Dad. I want to make sure it's the right move."

"Well, don't take too long. Opportunities like this don't come around often."

Vivi noticed the slight tension in Damien's jaw. "I'm sure Damien will make the right decision when he's ready," she found herself saying.

Damien looked at her, surprise evident in his eyes. "Thanks, Vivi."

As the dinner wound down, Reginald stood up. "Well, I hate to cut this short, but I have some work to finish up in my study. Vivi, darling, will you join me later?"

Vivi nodded. "Of course, dear."

Reginald kissed her cheek and left, leaving the three younger family members at the table.

Sophia broke the silence. "So, what should we do now? Movie night?"

Damien shrugged. "I'm game if you are."

Vivi hesitated. "I don't know if I should..."

"Oh, come on, Vivi," Sophia urged. "Dad won't mind. It'll be fun!"

"Alright," Vivi conceded. "What are we watching?"

They moved to the living room, settling onto the plush sofas. Sophia scrolled through the options on the big screen.

"How about a classic?" she suggested. "Casablanca?"

"Bit on the nose, don't you think?" Damien muttered.

Vivi shot him a look. "I love Casablanca. Let's watch it."

As the movie played, Vivi found herself relaxing. It felt almost normal, sitting here with her step-children, watching a film.

During a lull in the action, Sophia turned to Vivi. "So, how are you really doing? This can't be easy for you."

Vivi sighed. "It's... complicated. But I'm managing."

"We're here for you, you know," Sophia said softly. "Right, Damien?"

Damien nodded, his eyes fixed on the screen. "Yeah, of course."

"Thank you," Vivi said, touched by their support. "That means a lot."

As the movie ended, Sophia yawned. "Well, I'm off to bed. Goodnight, you two."

She left, leaving Damien and Vivi alone.

"I should probably go too," Vivi said, standing up.

Damien caught her hand. "Vivi, wait. Can we talk?"

She hesitated, then sat back down. "What is it?"

"I just... I want you to know that I'm trying. To make this work, I mean. Our... situation."

Vivi nodded slowly. "I know. I am too."

Damien leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... this is all so messed up, you know?"

Vivi nodded, her eyes downcast. "I know. I never expected any of this to happen."

"Me neither," Damien admitted. "But here we are."

They sat in silence for a moment, the credits of the movie rolling in the background.

Vivi cleared her throat. "Damien, I... I want you to know that what happened between us..."

"Was a mistake?" Damien finished, his voice tight.

"No," Vivi said quickly. "Well, yes, but... it wasn't just that. It meant something to me."

Damien's eyes met hers. "It meant something to me too."

"But we can't..." Vivi started.

"I know," Damien interrupted. "We can't go back there. I get it."

Vivi reached out, hesitantly touching his arm. "I'm sorry. For everything."

Damien covered her hand with his own. "Me too. But we'll figure this out, right? As a family?"

Vivi smiled softly. "As a family."

They stayed like that for a moment, the unspoken tension between them palpable.

Finally, Vivi stood up. "I should go. Your father will be wondering where I am."

Damien nodded, releasing her hand. "Right. Goodnight, Vivi."

"Goodnight, Damien," she replied, heading towards the door.

As she reached the threshold, Damien called out, "Vivi?"

She turned back. "Yes?"

"I'm glad we talked," he said simply.

Vivi smiled. "Me too."

With that, she left, leaving Damien alone with his thoughts.

Vivi made her way back to her room, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. As she entered, she found Reginald sitting on the edge of the bed, a concerned look on his face.

"There you are," he said, standing up. "I was beginning to worry."

Vivi forced a smile. "Sorry, I was just watching a movie with Damien. Family bonding and all that."

Reginald nodded approvingly. "That's good. I'm glad you two are getting along."

"Yeah," Vivi replied, her voice trailing off.

Reginald approached her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Is everything alright, dear? You seem distracted."

Vivi hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm just... thinking about everything that's happened. The scandal, the press conference... it's been a lot to process."

"I know," Reginald said softly. "But we got through it, didn't we? As a family."

Vivi nodded, trying to ignore the pang in her chest at his words. "We did."

"And now we can move forward," Reginald continued. "Put all of this behind us."

"Right," Vivi agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Reginald kissed her forehead. "Why don't you get some rest? You look exhausted."

Vivi nodded again, grateful for the excuse to be alone. "That sounds good. Goodnight, Reginald."

"Goodnight, my dear," he replied, heading towards the door.

As soon as he left, Vivi collapsed onto the bed, burying her face in her hands. She stayed like that for a long moment, trying to sort through the jumble of emotions in her head.