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130 A Thoughtful Gesture, A Distant Gaze
130 A Thoughtful Gesture, A Distant Gaze
She laughed at something Julian Croft said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. The sound carried across the room, genuine and unrestrained. Damien couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard her laugh that way.
“I’m just saying what I saw,” Lucas shrugged, clearly enjoying the drama he’d created.
Back at Vivienne’s party, the guests were beginning to depart. She stood by the door, thanking each one with perfect poise. The bracelet on her wrist caught the light with every movement, a constant reminder of Damien’s absence and his attempt to make up for it.
Linda sighed. “He received an urgent call. Said he needed to handle something immediately.”
“Waiting for someone important?” Miranda Phillips, a society columnist, slid up beside her with a calculating smile.
Lucas smirked. “More like a romantic emergency, if you ask me. Beck’s been sneaking off a lot lately. I saw him last week at The Grand with a very attractive redhead.”
She held up her wrist, letting the diamonds speak for themselves. The gesture worked its magic. Whispers spread through the room, and the questioning glances transformed into admiring ones.
Thirty minutes later, a courier arrived at the door. The young man carried an elegant box wrapped in silver paper.
She tilted her head slightly, a question in her eyes.
Vivienne Dubois’s smile faltered as she stood near the window of her penthouse apartment. Conversations swirled around her lavish gathering, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She checked her phone for the third time in fifteen minutes. Still no message from Damien.
Before Vivienne could respond, Charles Freeman joined their conversation. “Speaking of absences, people are starting to talk, Vivienne. When your boyfriend chooses another event over yours…
“Enjoy your evening. I’ll be there when I can. – D”
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130 A Thoughtful Gesture, A Distant Gaze
“Is something wrong?” she finally asked, her voice carrying just far enough for him to hear.
As the last guest left, Vivienne closed the door and leaned against it. Her apartment felt too large suddenly, too quiet. She looked at her phone. Still no message from Damien. The diamonds on her wrist sparkled, beautiful and cold.
“From Damien?” Linda Shaw asked, eyeing the sparkling jewelry.
Vivienne accepted the package with curious eyes following her every move. She unwrapped it carefully, revealing an exquisite diamond bracelet nestled in black velvet. A small card lay beside it.
Elara turned, perhaps sensing his attention. Their eyes met across the crowded room. For a moment, neither looked away. A silent acknowledgment passed between them- recognition of their shared past and the distance that now existed.
Meanwhile, across town at the Vance estate, Clara Bellweather’s birthday celebration was reaching its peak. Damien Thorne sat at his assigned table, observing the room with measured interest.
Nothing at all, he told himself. Yet as the evening continued, his gaze kept finding its way back to her, drawn by some force he couldn’t–or wouldn’t—name.
“He’s there on behalf of his mother,” Vivienne explained smoothly. “Eleanor Thorne and Clara have been friends for decades. It would be rude not to send a representative.”
Vivienne felt a strange unease at Lucas’s words. She glanced down at her bracelet, then at her phone. Still no message from Damien beyond the note with the gift.
Vivienne composed herself quickly. “Just checking the time. The night is still young.”
Vivienne felt her composure slipping. She excused herself and moved to the center of the room, clinking her glass to gather everyone’s attention.
Relief washed over her. She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, allowing the diamonds to catch the light.
“Of course,” Charles smiled, unconvinced. “Though I find it interesting that he chose Clara Bellweather’s party over yours.”
“Delivery for Ms. Dubois,” he announced.
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130 A Thoughtful Gesture, A Distant Gaze
As the evening progressed, Vivienne circulated among her guests with renewed energy. She laughed at the right moments, made witty remarks, and ensured everyone’s glasses remained full.
“And yet Damien Thorne is noticeably absent,” Miranda observed, sipping her champagne. “I heard he’s attending Clara Bellweather’s birthday celebration instead.”
Linda’s expression hardened. “That’s absurd. Beck would never-”
Damien’s expression remained neutral. He looked away, breaking whatever momentary
connection had formed between them.
She walked to the balcony for a moment of privacy. The night air felt cool against her skin as she stared out at the city lights. Beck’s mysterious departure and Lucas’s insinuations bothered her more than they should. It reminded her too much of her own situation–the uncertainty, the whispers, the need to maintain appearances.
“It is,” Vivienne confirmed. “Damien always had excellent taste.”
His gaze drifted across the tables until it landed on Elara Vance. She wore a simple
navy
dress that contrasted with her fair skin. Her hair was pulled back in an elegant updo, revealing the delicate curve of her neck. Something about her composure caught his attention.
With a deep breath, she pushed these thoughts aside and returned to her guests. She was Vivienne Dubois. She didn’t show weakness.
When had that changed? When had her smiles around him become so careful, so measured?
The explanation seemed to satisfy most guests, but Vivienne caught the skeptical glances exchanged between Miranda and Charles. She maintained her smile despite the uncertainty gnawing at her.
“Nothing” he replied curtly.
Miranda’s eyebrow arched. “A representative? Is that what he is tonight?”
“Yes,” Vivienne confirmed, unable to hide her smile. “He may be late, but he hasn’t forgotten.”
“I want to thank everyone for coming tonight,” she announced, her voice clear and confident. “Some of you have asked about Damien. He’s attending Clara Bellweather’s
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130 A Thoughtful Gesture, A Distant Gaze
birthday dinner on behalf of the Thorne family. Eleanor would have gone herself, but she’s in Monaco this week.”
“Business emergency?” Vivienne asked.
The mood of the party shifted. Vivienne felt her confidence returning. Damien had publicly acknowledged her importance with this gesture. The bracelet wasn’t just jewelry–it was a statement.
She wondered what was happening at the Bellweather celebration, who Damien was talking to, what had kept him there all night. Most of all, she wondered if he had seen Elara, and what had passed between them if he had.
She touched the diamonds on her wrist. Damien’s gift had saved her from embarrassment tonight, but how long could she continue like this? Always waiting, always explaining his absences?
Vivienne straightened her shoulders. “If you must know, Damien is attending an important family obligation. He’ll be joining us later.”
“If you’ll excuse me,” she murmured, stepping away.
“Shame Beck had to leave so suddenly,” Lucas Sterling remarked as they stood near the bar. “Everything alright with him?”
“That’s quite a way to say ‘I’ll be late,” Miranda commented, examining the bracelet. “I’m guessing it’s from the new Cartier collection?”
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