95 A Rival’s Specter and a Family Mandate
95 A Rival’s Specter and a Family Mandate
“Yes, darling. The whole family,” Eleanor emphasized, giving me a pointed look.
What could possibly go wrong?
to back
Julian’s expression softened. “Look, I don’t want to alarm you, but if she has the skills
her credentials… Zachary doesn’t care about personal drama. He cares about advancing the field.”
up
“I wish I were. Eleanor’s orchestrated a family getaway, and somehow convinced Damien to agree.”
Julian’s eyes narrowed. “Are you going to ask him about the dinner with Zachary?”
I sighed, setting my bag down. “I don’t know what his game is. But I do know we’re all going to be trapped together at a hot spring resort this weekend, thanks to Eleanor.”
Eleanor sighed as the front door closed. “That boy works too hard. Just like his grandfather.” She turned to me. “This weekend will be good for all of us.”
The die was cast. In two days, I’d be sharing a luxury suite with the husband who was actively undermining me and the grandmother–in–law who refused to see the truth of our broken marriage.
I continued to my bedroom, my mind racing with questions that would remain
unanswered.
I sighed, feeling the weight of my complicated home life pressing down on me again.
“Good morning,” I said, kissing the top of Cora’s head.
“Zachary is principled, but he’s also intrigued by genuine talent,” Julian said, leaning back in his chair, his fingers drumming nervously against the conference table.
Julian looked unconvinced. “Call me if you need an excuse to leave early.”
My heart sank. “And?”
I hesitated in the hallway, torn between confronting him about Zachary and
pretending I knew nothing. In the end, exhaustion won out. I climbed the stairs
quietly, not wanting to initiate a conversation that would only lead to more frustration.
12:19
1/6
95 A Rival’s Specter and a Family Mandate
“It is! Or it was, before Arthur sold it.” Eleanor sighed dramatically. “But speaking of getaways, I was thinking we should all go to the hot springs this weekend.”
The Arthur card. That explained Damien’s capitulation. For all his independence and authority in the business world, mention of his late grandfather still held power over
him.
“Just Eleanor. Apparently Damien’s gracing us with his presence tonight.”
“Did he now?” I asked, skepticism clear in my voice.
“When do we leave?” I asked, resigning myself to the inevitable.
After breakfast, I drove Cora to school before heading to the office. Julian was waiting
for me with news.
“Elara? You still with me?” Julian’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Great.” Damien’s tone was clipped. “I need to head out. I have meetings all morning.”
“You’re home late,” he said, his voice neutral.
The problem was, those “old times” had never been as idyllic as Eleanor imagined. And now, with all the unspoken tensions between Damien and me, trapped together in a romantic mountain setting….
Relief flooded through me. “That’s fantastic!”
“Just did,” Eleanor replied cheerfully. “She’s looking forward to it, aren’t you, dear?”
My stomach twisted at the implication. “You think he might take Vivienne as an apprentice?
Damien entered the kitchen then, dressed impeccably in a charcoal suit. He nodded a greeting to me before accepting a cup of coffee from Eleanor.
I shuddered involuntarily. This weekend was going to be a disaster.
But when Eleanor called that evening to confirm details, her voice so full of hope and excitement, I found myself softly saying, “Okay.”
I thought of Cora’s excited face, of Eleanor’s hopeful planning. “I don’t think I have much choice.”
12.19
2/8
96 A Rivals Specter and a Family Mandato
“It is! Or it was, before Arthur sold it.” Eleanor sighed dramatically. “But speaking of getaways, I was thinking we should all go to the hot springs this weekend.”
The Arthur card. That explained Damien’s capitulation. For all his independence and authority in the business world, mention of his late grandfather still held power over him.
“Just Eleanor. Apparently Damien’s gracing us with his presence tonight.”
“Did he now?” I asked, skepticism clear in my voice.
“When do we leave?” I asked, resigning myself to the inevitable.
After breakfast, I drove Cora to school before heading to the office. Julian was waiting for me with news.
“Elara? You still with me?” Julian’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Great.” Damien’s tone was clipped. “I need to head out. I have meetings all morning.”
“You’re home late,” he said, his voice neutral.
The problem was, those “old times” had never been as idyllic as Eleanor imagined. And now, with all the unspoken tensions between Damien and me, trapped together in a
romantic mountain setting…
Relief flooded through me. “That’s fantastic!”
“Just did,” Eleanor replied cheerfully. “She’s looking forward to it, aren’t you, dear?”
My stomach twisted at the implication. “You think he might take Vivienne as an apprentice?”
Damien entered the kitchen then, dressed impeccably in a charcoal suit. He nodded a greeting to me before accepting a cup of coffee from Eleanor.
I shuddered involuntarily. This weekend was going to be a disaster.
But when Eleanor called that evening to confirm details, her voice so full of hope and excitement, I found myself softly saying, “Okay.”
I thought of Cora’s excited face, of Eleanor’s hopeful planning. “I don’t think I have
much choice.”
12:20
2/6
95 A Rival’s Specter and a Family Mandate
Damien’s eyes met mine, challenging me to contradict his grandmother.
As we dove into work, I tried to push thoughts of the upcoming weekend from my mind. But Eleanor’s words kept echoing: “It’ll be just like old times.”
The memory of our last family trip flashed through my mind – Damien working the entire time, Cora disappointed, and me feeling like an unwelcome third wheel in my own marriage.
“There’s more,” Julian hesitated. “He also mentioned that he found Vivienne Dubois ‘intellectually stimulating” but ultimately unconvincing in her approach. Said her ideas were derivative.”
“Sorry.” I shook my head. “I need to focus on our work, not on whatever games Damien and Vivienne are playing.”
“Are you going to go?”
We worked late into the evening, refining the framework and tightening our
implementation timeline. By the time I left the office, darkness had fallen over the city.
“Work,” I replied simply.
The idea of spending an entire weekend with Damien, pretending to be a happy family for Eleanor’s sake, made my chest tighten. But looking at Cora’s excited face, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
“Dad’s taking us to the hot springs?” Cora asked, perking up.
Before Damien stopped pretending to care about our marriage, she meant.
A small, petty part of me celebrated this news, but I kept my expression neutral. “Did he say anything else about their dinner?”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised that Eleanor had confronted him. She usually treated
Damien with kid gloves.
“Good night, Damien.”
“Everything okay?” Julian asked, noticing my expression.
“Damien already agreed,” Eleanor cut in, her tone triumphant. “I caught him coming in late last night and gave him quite the lecture about family responsibilities.”
12:20
3/6
95 A Rivars Specter and a Family Mandato
Elara’s POV
“What would be the point? He’ll either deny any ulterior motives or simply ignore the question.” I rubbed my temples. “Let’s finish the revisions, I want to send this to Newman before I head home.”
“I’m not sure if-”
Eleanor was at the stove, flipping pancakes while Cora sat at the island counter, drawing on a piece of paper. Damien was nowhere in sight.
“And he loved our revised proposal. He wants to meet next week to discuss implementation strategy.”
“Oh yes. I told him that after he ruined our last trip with his constant phone calls and emails, he owes us a proper family weekend.” Eleanor flipped another pancake with flourish. “He tried to argue, but I reminded him that his grandfather would be very disappointed in how he’s neglecting family traditions.”
“Mom, look! I’m drawing Grandma’s house in the mountains!” Cora held up her artwork proudly.
“Neither do I,” I admitted. “But for Cora and Eleanor’s sake, I’ll try to make it through the weekend without major incident.”
Eleanor turned, spatula in hand. “Elara, darling, I’m glad you’re up. I was just telling Cora about our old cabin in the mountains.”
“Friday afternoon. I’ve already booked the Mountain View suite – the one with the private onsen.” Eleanor beamed, obviously pleased with herself. “It’ll be just like old times, before… well, before things got so busy.”
My phone buzzed with a message from Eleanor: *Damien just called. He’s coming home tonight. Will you be joining us for dinner?*
“It’s beautiful, sweetie.” I smiled at her enthusiasm.
I poured myself a cup of coffee. “It sounds lovely.”
“Did you tell Elara about our weekend plans?” he asked his grandmother.
“It sounds… nice,” I managed.
12:20
4/6
05 A Rival’s Spector and a Family Mandate
As I passed Damien’s study, the door opened. He stood there, still dressed in his work clothes, his expression unreadable.
I smiled gratefully at his concern. “I will. But right now, let’s focus on preparing for our meeting with Zachary. That’s what really matters”
I nodded, unconvinced but unwilling to dampen her enthusiasm.
I stared at the revised proposal on my screen, trying to push away thoughts of Vivienne charming her way into Zachary’s good graces. My half–sister had always possessed a magnetic quality that drew people in.
“I’ll grab something at the office.” He kissed his grandmother’s cheek, ruffled Cora’s hair, and left without another glance in my direction.
Julian nodded. “That’s the spirit. Besides, Newman reached out to us first. That’s something.”
He nodded, his eyes studying my face for a moment before he said, “Good night, Elara.”
“Zachary Newman called,” he said as soon as I walked in.
No mention of his dinner with Zachary. No explanation for why he was introducing my rival to one of the most influential figures in my field.
The next morning, I woke to the sound of voices downstairs. Eleanor’s laugh rang out, followed by Cora’s excited chatter. I dressed quickly and made my way to the kitchen.
“Just that Damien Thorne seemed unusually invested in showcasing Vivienne’s work.” Julian studied my reaction. “Elara, what’s going on? Is Damien deliberately trying to sabotage your career now?”
When I arrived home, the house was quiet except for soft music coming from Damien’s study. Eleanor and Cora must have already gone to bed.
Julian’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
Eleanor’s smile faltered. “You haven’t even had breakfast.”
Julian reached out, squeezing my hand. “Just be careful. After this stunt with Zachary, I don’t trust Damien’s motives.”
12:20
