106 An Abrupt Departure and an Entrusted Errand
106 An Abrupt Departure and an Entrusted Errand
“But she stays with me,” Cora insisted. “She doesn’t leave in the middle of vacation.”
“The emotional intelligence algorithm needs adjustments before our investor presentation,” I said. “Julian needs my input on the code.”
Freedom. At least for a few days.
The suggestion wasn’t random. Clara had mentioned weeks ago that the guest house could be mine if I ever needed space. A safe haven.
“But we were supposed to go hiking today!” Cora’s bottom lip jutted out. “Vivi said we’d find pretty rocks for my collection.”
The office was quiet when I arrived. Most of the team had already left for the day, but I preferred it this way. No distractions, just the work I’d come to love again.
My stomach tightened. “You want me to deliver these to Damien’s family?”
“Mom?” Cora peeked in, her eyes widening at the packed luggage. “Are you going somewhere?”
After the meal, as the boys cleared the table, Clara pulled me aside.
“Sorry I’m late,” I said, accepting Clara’s warm embrace. “I got caught up at work.”
“I’ll make it up to you when you get home,” I promised, kneeling to her level. “Maybe we could visit that new butterfly garden you wanted to see?”
Dinner with them was everything the retreat wasn’t–comfortable, genuine, filled with laughter. No walking on eggshells, no painful reminders of betrayal.
I took the envelopes, noting the names: “The Thorne Family,” “Mrs. Eleanor Thorne,” and “Ms. Sabrina Thorne.”
“We certainly will,” Vivienne chimed in, leaning closer to Damien.
Damien’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What’s so urgent that it can’t wait until we return?”
“I have a favor to ask,” she said, retrieving three elegant envelopes from a drawer. “My birthday banquet is coming up next month, and I’d like you to deliver these
106 An Abrupt Departure and an Entrusted Errand
invitations.”
Victor and Clara’s home was warm and inviting, filled with the smell of Clara’s famous roast chicken. My cousins, Jamie and Hector, tackled me with hugs as soon as I walked through the door.
Uncle Victor looked up from his newspaper, eyes crinkling with his smile. “There she is. We were beginning to think you’d stood us up.”
“I’d like that,” I said softly.
“Of course,” I said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before she darted away.
Cora shrugged, already losing interest in our conversation. “Can I go now? Vivi’s teaching me how to skip stones at the pond.”
“You always have to work,” Cora muttered, crossing her arms. “Vivi never has to work.”
“I won’t force anyone,” I promised, hugging her goodbye.
As I prepared to leave later that evening, Clara walked me to the door. Her expression turned serious as she handed me a small tin of her homemade cookies for Cora.
“About those invitations,” she said quietly. “If the Thorne family doesn’t want to come, don’t force them. Whether they come or not, I don’t really care!”
As my car pulled away from their warm, light–filled home, I thought about Clara’s words. Don’t force them. Don’t care so much.
The mention of Vivienne stung, but I kept my expression neutral. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Julian called this morning. The team needs me.”
The unfairness of the comparison burned, but arguing would only upset her more.
She didn’t push, but her eyes held understanding. “I’ve started renovating the guest house on our property. It’s coming along nicely. You should take a look before you leave.”
Maybe it was time I applied that wisdom to more than just party invitations.
As I reached the lobby, I spotted Damien and Vivienne by the resort’s main entrance, They stood close, his hand resting casually on the small of her back. Neither noticed me until I was a few feet away.
106 An Abrupt Departure and an Entrusted Errand
invitations.”
Victor and Clara’s home was warm and inviting, filled with the smell of Clara’s famous roast chicken. My cousins, Jamie and Hector, tackled me with hugs as soon as I walked through the door.
Uncle Victor looked up from his newspaper, eyes crinkling with his smile. “There she is. We were beginning to think you’d stood us up.”
“I’d like that,” I said softly.
“Of course,” I said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before she darted away.
Cora shrugged, already losing interest in our conversation. “Can I go now? Vivi’s teaching me how to skip stones at the pond.”
“You always have to work,” Cora muttered, crossing her arms. “Vivi never has to work.”
“I won’t force anyone,” I promised, hugging her goodbye.
As I prepared to leave later that evening, Clara walked me to the door. Her expression turned serious as she handed me a small tin of her homemade cookies for Cora.
“About those invitations,” she said quietly. “If the Thorne family doesn’t want to come, don’t force them. Whether they come or not, I don’t really care!”
As my car pulled away from their warm, light–filled home, I thought about Clara’s words. Don’t force them. Don’t care so much.
The mention of Vivienne stung, but I kept my expression neutral. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Julian called this morning. The team needs me.”
The unfairness of the comparison burned, but arguing would only upset her more.
She didn’t push, but her eyes held understanding. “I’ve started renovating the guest house on our property. It’s coming along nicely. You should take a look before you leave.”
Maybe it was time I applied that wisdom to more than just party invitations.
As I reached the lobby, I spotted Damien and Vivienne by the resort’s main entrance. They stood close, his hand resting casually on the small of her back. Neither noticed me until I was a few feet away.
106 An Abrupt Departure and an Entrusted Errand
“Just tired,” I lied, “The project at work is demanding”
“My car’s waiting,” I said, stepping around them. “Enjoy the rest of your stay.”
Clara studied my face for a moment. “Are you alright, dear? You seemed quiet during
dinner.”
“I see,” Damien replied, though his tone suggested he didn’t believe me.
“There’s no rush,” she added, squeezing my hand. “Whenever you see them next.”
I took a deep breath. “That’s not true. Vivi works too. Everyone has responsibilities.”
I walked past them without another word, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing me hurt. The driver took my luggage as I slid into the backseat, exhaling slowly as the resort disappeared from view.
The question irked me. After years of his disinterest in my career, now he wanted details?
Hours passed as I lost myself in code, fine–tuning the algorithm that had become my pride over the past months. It wasn’t until my phone buzzed that I realized how late it had gotten.
Damien looked up first, his expression shifting from relaxed to guarded in an instant. “You’re leaving?”
“She’s here!” Jamie called out, pulling me toward the dining room. “Now can we eat?”
“I’ll probably see Eleanor at Cora’s school event next week,” I said, tucking t… invitations into my purse. “I can give them to her then.”
The morning sun filtered through the curtains as I zipped up my suitcase. The hot spring retreat was meant to last another three days, but staying was no longer an option. Not after last night.
“Work emergency,” I replied simply.
I smiled, gathering my things. Family that actually wanted to see me–what a refreshing change.
“If you wouldn’t mind,” Clara said. “Eleanor has been asking about my birthday plans,
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106 An Abrupt Departure and an Entrusted Errand
and I thought a personal invitation would be better than mail.”
A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
I straightened, squared my shoulders, and wheeled my suitcase into the hallway. The sooner I left this place, the better.
“You work too hard,” Clara chided gently, leading me to the table. “But we’re glad you’re
here now.”
I envied that freedom more than she could know.
The casual freedom in he
words struck me. The ability to extend an invitation without desperately needing it to be accepted. The confidence to be fine either way.
Vivienne’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “How inconvenient. Eleanor will be disappointed.”
“I’ve already explained to her,” I said, keeping my tone even. “She understands.”
I nodded slowly. “I’ll make sure they get them.”
A text from Aunt Clara: “Are you coming for dinner? The boys are asking for you.”
Elara’s POV
I nodded, smoothing my daughter’s hair. “I need to head back early, Coco. There’s an
my attention.” important project at YodaVision that needs
No goodbye hug. No “I’ll miss you.” Just Vivienne’s name on her lips as she left.
107 The Invitation and a Familiar Sting
107 The Invitation and a Familiar Sting
The hypocrisy was breathtaking. “Do you really want to have a conversation about parental absence, Damien?”
“Mr. Thorne called earlier. He and Cora should be home soon.”
“I should go,” I said, suddenly needing to escape. “Tell Cora I’ll read to her another night.”
“I have meetings scheduled all that week,” he said immediately.
I started the engine, a small smile forming despite everything. Clara was right. It was their loss. And maybe it was time I truly believed that.
Elara’s POV
“But Mom just got here!” she protested.
As I reached my car, my phone buzzed with a text from Clara: “Did
you
deliver the
invitations?”
“So I’ve heard. Julian seems to be working you hard.”
It clung to his clothes, unmistakable.
His jaw tightened. “I’ve always provided for Cora.”
“Mommy?” Cora called out, her footsteps pounding up the stairs. “Hannah said you’re here!”
“Yes,” I typed back. “But don’t expect the Thornes to attend.”
The villa came into view, its lights dim. I pulled into the driveway and noticed none of the cars were present. The house was empty.
She huffed but obeyed, giving me a quick hug before leaving. “Will you read me a story, Mom? Please?”
“Homework comes before fun, Coco,” I reminded her gently. “You know that.”
“I’ve been busy at YodaVision.”
