141 A Fragile Truce and a Daughter’s Longing
141 A Fragile Truce and a Daughter’s Longing
“Julian, Elara,” she greeted, her voice carrying across the lot. “How was your little work dinner?”
“Elara speaking,” I answered, killing the engine.
“Can I go
with you this time?” she asked, her eyes hopeful.
“And Cora?”
“Thanks for vetting them,” I said, relaxing slightly.
“Promise.”
I kicked off my heels, considering the offer. “Saturday could work. Send me the
details?”
“Yes, sweetheart. I’ll take you to school tomorrow.”
told Shanice?”
“He knows me well,” I admitted, gathering my things. “Have you
“Please?” She clutched my arm. “Daddy’s busy, and I haven’t gone skiing all winter!”
The evening air had a crisp bite to it as Julian and I exited InnovaTech’s towering glass headquarters. Our dinner with Jonathan had been productive and surprisingly enjoyable. As we crossed the parking lot, the sharp click of heels on concrete caught
my attention.
“Nine is perfect,” I confirmed. “I’ll meet you at the main lodge?”
“Just got off the phone with him. He said you’d want immediate verification.”
“Just overnight. He’ll be back tomorrow evening.”
I stood frozen in the hallway, wondering how I would explain to Beck that my six–year–old daughter might be joining our business meeting on the slopes. More concerning was how Damien would react when he returned to find I’d taken Cora skiing without discussing it with him.
After hanging up, I called Uncle Victor to double–check the contract details. Caution was a habit I’d developed the hard way.
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141 A Fragile Truce and a Daughter’s Longing
I sighed, sinking onto my couch. “Taking it day by day. The divorce papers are with the lawyers.”
I hesitated. “This is a work thing, sweetie.”
I unlocked my front door, dropping my keys in the bowl by the entrance. “I’m glad to
hear it. When can we start?”
“I need to check with the others first,” I said carefully.
“He’s an ass,” Julian muttered. “The way he just-”
“She’s…” I hesitated. “Adjusting. It’s complicated.”
Elara’s POV
“Cora, wait-”
I nodded, remembering that rare family vacation two years ago. “You were very good at
it.”
“Is something wrong?”
I caught her in a hug, breathing in her sweet scent. “Hey, baby. I missed you.”
“Mommy! Wake up! You promised to take me to school!”
My phone rang through the car’s speakers just as I pulled into my driveway. The caller ID showed Beck Harper.
“My ski equipment. I’m going skiing with some work friends on Saturday.”
I smiled genuinely for the first time that evening. “That’s wonderful, Beck. Uncle Victor
confirmed?”
Julian gave her a polite nod. “Productive. Heading home?”
Cora’s eyes widened with excitement. “Skiing? I love skiing! Remember when Daddy
took us to Switzerland?”
The next morning, Beck called again as I was reviewing project notes.
“Elara! Just checking if Saturday at nine works? Shanice prefers earlier starts.”
After we hung up, I stared at my phone, thumb hovering over Cora’s contact. It had
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141 A Fragile Truce and a Daughter’s Longing
been three days since I’d seen her. The urge to call was strong, but I resisted. She needed space to process the changes.
I glanced at the clock. It was already four. “I’ll be there soon, okay?”
“No!” She giggled, tugging at my blanket. “It’s already seven–thirty!”
I sighed, looking into her pleading eyes. How could I explain that this wasn’t just any social outing? This was a potential business opportunity, one I couldn’t afford to complicate.
“It’s legitimate,” he confirmed. “Beck’s company is solid. Smaller than what you’re used to, but innovative.”
“She’s ecstatic. This partnership will revolutionize her research.”
But she was already dashing off, chattering about ski poles and her favorite slopes.
I arrived at the Thorne mansion forty–five minutes later. Eleanor greeted me at the door, her elegant figure belying her seventy years.
“Will you be here when I wake up?” she asked drowsily.
Vivienne stood by a sleek black car, her crimson dress vibrant against the night. She looked up as we approached, her smile practiced but eyes cold.
Eleanor sighed. “She misses you. Damien left early this morning, and Vivienne had some emergency at work.”
Before she could answer, a familiar silver Bentley pulled alongside her. My stomach knotted as the window lowered, revealing Damien’s chiseled profile.
“Grandma Eleanor. But she has her bridge club tonight.”
Julian squeezed my shoulder. “You okay?”
“I need to stop by my place after dropping you off,” I told her. “I have to get some things
for the weekend.”
The evening passed quickly. We made dinner together, played board games, and watched a movie. By the time I tucked Cora into bed, she was fighting to keep her
open.
eyes
“Yes!” She bounced excitedly, already taking my words as confirmation. “I’ll get my
ski
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141 A Fragile Truce and a Daughter’s Longing
suit ready! It still fits from last year!”
She smiled, already half asleep. “Good.”
Cora came barreling down the stairs. “Mommy!”
She clung to me tightly. “Can you stay? Please?”
“Please, Mommy? I’ll be super good! I won’t bother friends!”
your
“I see,” I said neutrally. “How long will Damien be gone?”
“Mommy?” Cora’s voice made my heart squeeze.
“Thank you for coming, Elara,” she said, patting my arm. “Cora’s been asking for you all day.
I looked at Eleanor, who nodded. “Of course I can.”
After hanging up, I immersed myself in work until my phone rang again in the afternoon. This time, it was Eleanor Thorne’s number, but when I answered, a small voice spoke.
As the window closed, I caught Vivienne’s triumphant smile directed at me. The car pulled away smoothly, leaving us in its wake.
After a quick shower, I helped Cora with her backpack while making a mental note to pick up my ski equipment from storage later.
“Will do. Rest up, Elara. Big things are coming.”
My phone buzzed with a text from Beck, confirming Saturday’s ski trip with Shanice at Blue Mountain Resort. I replied with a simple thumbs–up before heading to shower.
“Fine,” I said, fishing my keys from my purse. “It’s nothing new.”
I groaned playfully. “Five more minutes?”
Vivienne slipped into the passenger seat, her hand possessively touching Damien’s arm. “We’re off to the symphony. Don’t wait up.”
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141 A Fragile Truce and a Daughter’s Longing
“Let’s not waste breath on it,” I interrupted, forcing a smile. “I’ve got other priorities
now.”
I frowned. “Who’s with you now?”
“What things?” Cora asked, curious as always.
“Can you come over? Daddy’s on a business trip, and Vivi had to go somewhere too.”
Morning arrived with Cora bouncing on my bed, already dressed for school.
“Good morning,” I answered, balancing my coffee cup.
“Great news,” Beck’s enthusiastic voice filled the car. “The contract’s been signed! We’re officially partners with Vance Technologies.”
“That’s actually why I called. Are you free this weekend? Shanice suggested a casual meeting–maybe that skiing trip we discussed?”
“Sounds good. Bring your own equipment if you have it. The rental lines get crazy.”
“Coco! Hi, sweetheart. How are you?”
I stayed in the guest room–the same one I’d used during the final months of my marriage. It felt strange being back in this house, surrounded by memories both bitter
and sweet.
“I don’t think-”
We said our goodbyes in the parking lot. As I drove home alone, I pushed thoughts of Damien and Vivienne from my mind. Their perfect–couple act was no longer my
concern.
“Of course. How are you holding up?”
“Promise?”
The temporary peace of our overnight reunion suddenly felt fragile, threatened by complications I hadn’t anticipated. As I watched Cora’s excited preparations, I realized I was caught between my daughter’s innocent longing and the precarious new path I was trying to forge for myself.
“Julian,” he acknowledged with a brief nod. His gaze slid past me as if I were invisible.
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