73 Echoes of a Rival’s Name
Elara’s POV
“It’s fine, really,” I said, tightening my robe’s belt with a firm tug. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I avoided Beck’s eyes.
Shanice wiggled in her uncle’s arms, completely oblivious to the awkward moment she’d created. “Mrs. Elara has pretty blue clothes like a mermaid!”
Beck cleared his throat. “Shanice, that’s enough.” His voice was unexpectedly gentle
but firm.
I risked a quick glance at him. His ears were pink, but his expression was deliberately neutral as he held his niece. The nanny finally stepped forward, reaching for Shanice. “It’s time to finish packing,” she said, taking Shanice from Beck’s arms.
I seized the opportunity to escape. “I should be going too. Goodbye, Shanice. It was lovely meeting you.”
“Bye, Mrs. Elara!” Shanice waved enthusiastically as her nanny carried her away.
Beck remained, his tall frame blocking my path to the elevator. “Elara, I apologize for… that. Shanice can be unpredictable.”
“Children usually are,” I replied, forcing a polite smile while keeping my arms firmly crossed over my chest. “No harm done.”
An uncomfortable silence stretched between us.
“Well, safe travels,” I finally said, stepping around him toward the elevator.
Beck nodded. “You as well.”
I kept my composure until the elevator doors closed, then let out a long breath. What an utterly mortifying end to my peaceful morning.
Two hours later, I walked with Julian toward the parking area. My suitcase rolle behind me as resort staff loaded other guests‘ luggage into waiting vehicles.
73 Echoes of a Rival’s Name
“The team made real progress this weekend,” Julian said. “Your leadership on the YodaVision expansion is exactly what we needed.”
I smiled, pleased by his assessment. “Everyone contributed valuable insights. I think we’re on the right track.”
“Speaking of tracks,” Julian gestured ahead. “Isn’t that the shipping magnate and his
niece?”
My steps faltered. Sure enough, Beck and Shanice stood by a sleek black SUV. The driver was loading their luggage while Shanice bounced excitedly beside her uncle. “Perhaps we should wait a moment,” I suggested, slowing my pace.
Julian raised an eyebrow. “Any particular reason?”
“We had an awkward encounter earlier,” I admitted, not elaborating further.
But it was too late. Shanice had spotted us and was pointing in our direction. Beck turned, his gaze meeting mine briefly before shifting to Julian.
“Mrs. Elara!” Shanice called out, waving frantically.
There was no graceful way to avoid them now. I forced a smile and approached, Julian at my side.
“Hello again,” I greeted them. “All packed up?”
Beck nodded. “Yes, we’re heading back to the city.” His eyes moved to Julian, a question
in them.
“Oh, this is Julian Croft, my business partner,” I explained. “Julian, this is Beck Harper and his niece, Shanice.”
The men shook hands, sizing each other up with that peculiar male assessment I’d never quite understood.
“YodaVision, right?” Beck asked. “I’ve read about your AI innovations.”
Julian smiled. “That’s us. Elara’s our technical genius.”
Beck’s eyes returned to me/something like surprise in them. “Is that so?”
Before I could respond, my phone rang. I excused myself and stepped away to answer
2/8
- it.
73 Echoes of a Rival’s Name
“Hello, Eleanor,” I said, seeing the caller ID.
“Elara, dear, I wanted to confirm dinner tonight,” Eleanor Thorne’s voice came through clearly. “Seven o’clock sharp.”
I frowned. “Didn’t Damien tell you? I’m at a company retreat. I won’t be back until
tomorrow evening.”
“Oh, he mentioned
of the sort,” Eleanor replied, disappointment evident in her
voice. “I was so looking forward to having the whole family together.”
Guilt tugged at me. “I’m sorry, Eleanor. I can join you all next weekend instead?”
“I suppose that will have to do,” she sighed. “Drive safely, dear.”
I ended the call and rejoined the others, where Shanice was regaling Julian with a detailed account of her dolphin sighting.
Beck glanced at me. “Everything alright?”
“Family dinner plans,” I explained vaguely. “Nothing important.”
He nodded, seemingly understanding more than I’d said. “We should get going. It was nice seeing you again, Elara. Mr. Croft.”
Julian and I watched as Beck helped Shanice into the SUV. Before climbing in himself, Beck looked back, giving me a brief nod. I returned it, feeling oddly unsettled.
C
“Interesting man,” Julian commented as we walked to my car. “He couldn’t stop looking at you.”
I shot him a warning glance. “Don’t start.”
Julian raised his hands in surrender, but his knowing smile remained.
The drive to Thorne Manor took longer than usual due to weekend traffic. By the time
I pulled into the circular driveway, the sun was setting. Estate lights illuminated the grand façade, making the mansion look like something from a magazine–beautiful but somehow cold.
73 Echoes of a Rival’s Name:
I’d called Eleanor earlier to let her know I was returning early and could make dinner after all. She’d been delighted, insisting I join them even though I wouldn’t arrive until shortly before seven.
The butler greeted me as I entered. “Good evening, Mrs. Thorne. The family is in the drawing room.”
I found Eleanor alone, elegant in a navy dress, reading by the fireplace.
“Elara, dear!” She stood to embrace me. “What a lovely surprise. I’m so glad you could make it after all.”
I returned her hug. “I managed to wrap things up early. Where are Damien and Cora?” Eleanor’s smile faltered slightly. “They haven’t arrived yet. Damien texted to say they’re running late.”
I glanced at the ornate clock on the mantel. It was already 7:15 PM.
“Did he say how late?” I asked, settling into an armchair.
Eleanor shook her head. “No details. You know how he is–brief to the point of rudeness sometimes.” She sighed. “I do wish he’d be more considerate. The chef has prepared Cora’s favorite roast.”
I smiled sympathetically. “I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
We chatted about the estate’s gardens and Eleanor’s charity plans for another fifteen minutes. As the clock struck 7:30, Eleanor’s patience visibly thinned.
“This is getting ridiculous,” she huffed. “Would you mind calling him, dear? He might answer you more promptly.”
I doubted that but pulled out my phone anyway. Damien answered on the fourth ring. “Yes?” His voice was clipped, background noise suggesting he was in his car.
“Eleanor was wondering when you and Cora might arrive for dinner,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.
“We’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he replied curtly.
In the background, I heard a child’s voice–Cora’s voice–clear as day: “Gooauye, Vivienne! I had fun today!”
73 Echoes of a Rival’s Name
Then, unmistakably, Vivienne’s melodic laugh followed by her voice: “Bye, sweetheart See you tomorrow, Damien.”
My heart stuttered.
“Is there anything else
what I’d just heard.
pain sliced through me–sharp, then dull, then hollow.
need2
Damien asked coldly, as if daring me to mention
“No,” I managed, my voice surprisingly steady. “We’ll see you soon.”
The line went dead before I could say more. I lowered the phone, aware of Eleanor watching me expectantly.
“They’ll be here in twenty minutes,” I reported, proud of how normal I sounded despite the trembling in my chest.
Eleanor nodded, satisfied. “Excellent. I’ll have James inform the kitchen.
As she bustled out to speak with the butler, I remained seated, staring at nothing. The conversation replayed in my mind–Cora’s innocent goodbye to Vivienne, my half–sister’s voice so casually intimate with my husband.
After all this time, it shouldn’t hurt anymore. But somehow, it still did–not like a fresh wound, but like scar tissue being stretched and torn anew.
I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders. In twenty minutes, I would sit across from Damien and pretend I hadn’t heard. I would smile at Cora and listen to her stories, never letting on that I knew where they’d been. I would play the role I’d perfected over seven years—the composed, gracious Mrs. Thorne.
But with each performance, a little more of me slipped away. I wondered how much of myself would remain when the final curtain fell on our marriage.
