84 Echoes of Absence, Whispers of Return
84 Echoes of Absence, Whispers of Return
“It certainly was,” Vivienne’s melodious laugh floated up the stairs. “Though I think your father was more impressed by the shark feeding”
“Any word from your husband?” Victor asked without preamble.
Elara set down her bag and crossed to the walk–in closet. Opening the door, she found her clothes still hanging on one side, untouched. Damien’s suits and shirts occupied the other half, meticulously arranged as always.
The question stung more than it should have. The guest room. Not the master suite she had shared with Damien for years.
She heard Cora’s excited voice from downstairs. “Dad! Dad! Mom’s car is outside!
Mom’s home!”
There was a pause before Vivienne answered. “I believe he made some inquiries. But really, Elara, you should understand that business transactions aren’t easily undone. My uncle purchased that property fair and square.
“Mr. Thorne mentioned they would be back this evening. They’ve taken Miss Cora to the aquarium afterward.”
“Actually, he’s on an important business call,” Vivienne replied coolly. “But I can take a
message.”
She quickly packed her overnight bag. She’d intended to return to her apartment later that day, but given the circumstances, there was only one place she should be – the Thorne villa. If Damien was avoiding her calls, he couldn’t avoid her in person,
Elara held her breath, imagining the look that must have passed between Damien and
Vivienne at this revelation.
She had come here determined to confront Damien about his silent treatment and the situation with her mother. But now, hearing Cora’s excitement at her presence, Elara realized she was walking back into the complicated web of relationships she had been
trying to escape.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door.
84 Echoes of Absence, Whispers of Return
“…and then the octopus changed colors right in front of us! It was so cool!”
She heard the front door open, followed by Cora’s excited voice echoing through the foyer.
She paused outside the master bedroom door, suddenly unsure. What if Damien had already moved Vivienne’s things in? What if all traces of her had been erased?
Elara stepped back from the window, her heart suddenly racing. The confrontation she had been preparing for all day was about to happen. She returned to the desk, arranging her papers with deliberate calm, determined to appear composed when they entered.
“Barely. She’s getting suspicious about why I insisted she extend her stay at Aunt Josephine’s.”
The security guard recognized her car immediately and opened the gates without question. As she pulled into the circular driveway, she noted with some surprise that neither Damien’s car nor Vivienne’s sleek sports car was present.
“Mrs. Thorne is upstairs,” the butler replied.
Elara tensed, waiting for the moment Cora would discover her presence. Perhaps it would be easier to face her daughter first, before confronting Damien and Vivienne.
The room looked exactly as she had left it. Her perfume bottles still lined the vanity. Her books remained stacked on the nightstand. Even the framed photo of her and Cora
still stood on the dresser.
Elara made her way up the grand staircase, her footsteps echoing in the marble foyer. The villa felt emptier than she remembered, despite the immaculate furnishings and artwork. Without Cora’s laughter or even Damien’s distant presence, it was just another beautiful, cold space.
“We both know this isn’t just a business transaction,” Elara said quietly. “Please, have
Damien call me back.”
She wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or more confused. Was Damien simply respecting her property until the divorce was finalized? Or was there something else at play?
“Typical,” Victor scoffed. “When it comes to anything involving the Dubois family, he’s
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useless to us.”
“This is about what we discussed last night. Has he spoken to anyone about the villa purchase?”
No sign of Vivienne’s belongings. No evidence that anyone had disturbed the space since Elara had moved out.
Elara nodded, unsurprised but still disappointed. “Do you know when they’ll return?”
Cora’s voice came again, this time directed at Mr. Finch: “Where’s Mom?”
After ending the call with Victor, Elara took a deep breath and dialed Damien’s number again. This time, someone answered on the third ring.
Elara couldn’t make out Damien’s response, but she heard Cora’s footsteps racing up
the stairs.
“Nothing” Elara replied, running a hand through her hair. “I’ve called multiple times since last night. Either his phone is off or he’s deliberately avoiding me.”
“That would be lovely, thank you.”
Whatever was about to happen, she would face it with dignity. She was no longer the woman who silently accepted disrespect or waited in the shadows for scraps of attention. She had come here with a purpose, and she would not leave until she had accomplished it – even if it meant confronting both Damien and Vivienne on their own
turf.
“Hello, Mr. Finch,” Elara smiled warmly at the butler who had always shown her kindness. “I need to speak with Mr. Thorne urgently. Is he home?”
Hours passed as Elara worked, stopping only briefly when Mr. Finch brought her lunch. The familiar routine felt strangely comforting – working in Damien’s study had been part of her life for years.
“No, thank you. I’ll take it to the master bedroom myself.”
Elara’s jaw tightened. “I need to speak with Damien.”
“Of course,” Vivienne replied sweetly. “Though he’s terribly busy today.”
Elara stared at her phone in frustration. Once again, her call to Damien went straight
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84 Echoes of Absence, Whispers of Return.
to voicemail. This was the fifth attempt since speaking with him last night about the Dubois family moving across from her mother’s home.
Mr. Finch hesitated only briefly. “Of course, madam. Shall I have your bag taken to the guest room?”
The drive to the Thorne villa took nearly an hour. As Elara approached the familiar wrought–iron gates, a mixture of emotions swept through her. Though she had moved out weeks ago, this place had been her home for seven years. Now it felt like entering foreign territory.
“Damien, it’s me again. Please call back as soon as possible. The situation with my mother is urgent.” She ended the call and tossed her phone onto the hotel bed.
Elara stood, smoothing her skirt and taking a steadying breath. Any moment now, her daughter would burst into the room, followed eventually by Damien. And Vivienne. The thought made her stomach knot with tension.
The butler’s smile faltered slightly. “I’m afraid not, madam. Mr. Thorne left early this morning for business meetings. Ms. Dubois accompanied him.”
Pushing these thoughts aside, Elara freshened up and changed into more comfortable clothes. She had work to do while waiting for Damien’s return.
“Oh, Elara. Still calling?” Vivienne’s tone was mock–sympathetic. “He’s indisposed at
the moment.”
“In the shower again?” Elara couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice.
“In that case, I’ll wait for him in the study. There’s some urgent work I need to attend to anyway.”
“Hello?” Vivienne’s voice was as smooth and self–satisfied as ever.
Mr. Finch opened the front door before she could ring the bell, his weathered face lighting up with genuine pleasure.
Elara sighed. “I’ll try once more, then I’m heading to Mom’s. Have you managed to keep
from the house?”
her away
There was a pause before Damien’s terse response: “Okay.”
Of course. A perfect family outing with Vivienne playing the role that should have been
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84 Echoes of Absence, Whispers of Return
Elara’s. She pushed the thought away.
A flicker of surprise crossed the butler’s face, but he quickly recovered. “Very well, madam. Would you like some tea brought up?”
Just as she was contemplating her next move, her phone buzzed. Hope flared briefly until she saw it wasn’t Damien but Victor.
1
As footsteps thundered up the stairs – Cora’s quick, light steps followed by slower, heavier ones – Elara straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.
As evening approached, Elara heard a car pulling into the driveway. She moved to the window just in time to see Cora leap out of Damien’s black Bentley, her face animated as she spoke to someone still inside the car. A moment later, Vivienne emerged from the passenger side, looking effortlessly elegant as always. Damien followed, his expression unreadable even from a distance.
“Mrs. Thorne! What a delightful surprise,” he exclaimed, stepping aside to let her enter. “We weren’t expecting you today.”
“I’m going to see if Mr. Finch made those cookies he promised!” Cora called back down.
The line went dead. Elara stared at her phone, suspecting Damien would never get her message. She made a decision. If Damien wouldn’t respond, she would have to take matters into her own hands.
In the study, she set up her laptop and spread out documents related to her mother’s situation. If Damien wouldn’t help, she needed another plan. Perhaps there were legal grounds to contest the property sale if she could prove malicious intent.
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