Chapter 7: Birthday Whispers, Hidden Heartbreak
Elara’s eyes met Vivienne’s cool gaze. Her half-sister’s perfect smile never faltered as the executives surrounding her continued their praise.
“Your presentation on the European market was outstanding, Dr. Dubois,” gushed Sandra Phillips, the marketing director. “The board was absolutely impressed.”
Vivienne tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Thank you. It was merely a summary of my research at Oxford.”
The group laughed appreciatively, as if she’d said something incredibly witty. No one acknowledged Elara’s presence. She might as well have been invisible.
“Excuse me,” Elara murmured, slipping past them.
She felt Vivienne’s eyes follow her retreat, the weight of that stare like a knife between her shoulder blades. Seven years of marriage to Damien, and she was treated like an intruder, while Vivienne commanded respect after mere months.
At her desk, Elara’s phone buzzed. A text from Chloe: “Emergency! Need you at Bellini’s now! Code red!!”
Elara frowned. Code red was their signal for serious boyfriend trouble. She grabbed her purse and headed for the elevator.
Twenty minutes later, she pulled up to Bellini’s, an upscale Italian restaurant downtown. As she approached the entrance, something caught her eye through the large glass windows. Her step faltered.
Inside, at a table near the window, sat Cora. Her daughter was supposed to be in Andoria with Damien, yet here she was, chattering excitedly to Vivienne.
Elara ducked behind a decorative pillar. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Why were they back early? Why hadn’t anyone told her?
Through the glass, she could see Cora’s animated face. The child was practically bouncing in her seat as she handed something to Vivienne. A small, wrapped box.
Elara inched closer, positioning herself where she could see but wouldn’t be noticed. Cora was beaming with pride as Vivienne opened the gift.
“Look what I made for you!” Cora’s voice was faintly audible through the glass. “Dad helped me polish the shells!”
Vivienne lifted a delicate shell necklace from the box, her face lighting up with what appeared to be genuine delight. “Oh, Coco, it’s beautiful!”
“We collected the shells at the beach in Andoria,” Cora explained proudly. “Dad said we had to come back early for your birthday!”
Each word felt like a physical blow. They had cut their trip short for Vivienne’s birthday. Not for Elara’s two weeks ago, which Damien and Cora had both forgotten entirely.
“Is that why we rushed back?” asked a woman Elara recognized as Vivienne’s friend, Charlotte. “For your birthday?”
Vivienne smiled, fastening the necklace around her neck. “Damien said he couldn’t miss it.”
Charlotte laughed. “Speaking of which, where is your dashing man?”
“Parking the car,” Vivienne replied. “He should be here any—”
“Happy birthday, beautiful.”
Damien appeared, looking more relaxed than Elara had seen him in years. He bent down to kiss Vivienne’s cheek before taking the seat beside her.
“Dad!” Cora exclaimed. “Vivienne loves my necklace!”
“Of course she does,” Damien replied, his hand resting possessively on Vivienne’s shoulder. “You made it with love.”
Elara’s vision blurred. She blinked rapidly, refusing to cry here, in public, like some pathetic, jilted wife.
“So, did you like your other present?” Charlotte asked Vivienne with a suggestive smile.
Vivienne’s lips curled into a secretive smile. “Very much.”
“I already gave Vivienne my gift,” Damien said simply.
“Oh, I bet you did,” Charlotte laughed, raising her eyebrows. “Something private, no doubt.”
The table erupted in laughter. Even Cora giggled, though she clearly didn’t understand the innuendo.
Elara stepped back from the window, feeling sick. Her phone buzzed again: Chloe calling.
“Where are you?” Chloe demanded when she answered. “I’ve been waiting at the bar!”
“You’re here? At Bellini’s?” Elara whispered, scanning the restaurant interior.
“Yes! Third stool from the left. I can see you outside! What are you doing lurking by the pillar?”
Elara spotted her friend waving from the bar. “Stay there. I’ll come to you.”
She circled around to the side entrance, keeping her head down. The last thing she needed was for Damien or Cora to see her.
Chloe’s concerned face greeted her at the bar. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“They’re here,” Elara said, her voice barely audible. “Damien, Cora, and Vivienne.”
Chloe’s eyes widened. “What? Show me.”
Before Elara could stop her, Chloe was peering around the corner toward their table. “That bitch,” she hissed. “And your daughter is there too? What the hell?”
“They came back early for Vivienne’s birthday,” Elara explained, the words tasting bitter. “Cora made her a necklace. With seashells they collected together.”
Chloe’s face softened with understanding. “Oh, El.”
“They were supposed to be in Andoria for another week,” Elara continued, her composure cracking. “They didn’t even call to tell me they were back. And two weeks ago, on my birthday—”
“They forgot completely,” Chloe finished, squeezing her hand. “I remember.”
The bartender approached. “Can I get you ladies something to drink?”
“Two martinis,” Chloe replied immediately. “Extra olives.”
When he moved away, Elara shook her head. “I can’t stay, Chloe. I can’t be here, watching them play happy family.”
“We’ll leave right after our drinks,” Chloe promised. “You look like you need it.”
The martinis arrived quickly. Elara took a large sip, welcoming the burn in her throat.
“How can she be so comfortable with him?” she whispered. “She’s my sister. Half-sister, but still. Doesn’t that mean anything to her?”
Chloe scoffed. “Vivienne only cares about Vivienne. Always has.”
“And Cora adores her,” Elara added, her voice breaking. “My own daughter.”
“Kids are easily impressed by shiny new toys,” Chloe said firmly. “Vivienne is just a novelty to her. And Damien—”
“Is Damien,” Elara finished. “Cold, distant, and impossible to please unless you’re Vivienne Dubois.”
She drained her martini, the alcohol warming her chest but doing little to ease the ache in her heart.
“Let’s go,” she said, standing abruptly. “I need to get out of here.”
They paid quickly and headed for the elevators that would take them to the parking garage. As the doors began to close, a hand shot out to stop them.
Lucas Sterling, Damien’s closest friend and CFO of Thorne Industries, stepped inside. His eyes widened slightly in recognition.
“Mrs. Thorne,” he said, his gaze darting between her and Chloe. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Elara’s throat tightened. Lucas had been at the table with Damien and Vivienne. If he was heading back, he’d tell them she was here.
“Mr. Sterling,” she managed to reply, her voice surprisingly steady. “Just having lunch with my friend.”
Lucas nodded slowly, his eyes calculating. The elevator began its descent, the silence stretching uncomfortably.
“Cora looks well,” Elara said finally, unable to bear the quiet. “I didn’t know they were back from Andoria.”
Lucas studied her face. “They arrived this morning.”
Another silence fell. The elevator seemed to move in slow motion.
“It’s Vivienne’s birthday,” Lucas added, watching her reaction closely. “The party is tonight at the penthouse.”
The penthouse. Her home with Damien. Where she still technically lived, though she’d been staying at her grandmother’s estate more often lately.
“I see,” she said, struggling to keep her voice neutral. “Thank you for letting me know.”
The elevator doors opened at the parking level. Lucas held them for Elara and Chloe to exit first.
“Mrs. Thorne,” he called after her. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held something that might have been pity. “Damien and Vivienne are heading back to the office after lunch. They’re planning to pick up Cora around four.”
A warning. A courtesy. Elara wasn’t sure which, but she nodded gratefully.
As they walked to their cars, Chloe linked her arm through Elara’s. “What are you going to do?”
Elara stared straight ahead, her mind suddenly, terrifyingly clear. “I’m going to call my lawyer.”
“To finalize the divorce?” Chloe asked.
“No,” Elara replied, a new determination hardening her voice. “To make sure I get everything I deserve.”
