Chapter 15
“Isn’t that Cressida, your sister?” The question broke into Alaric’s thoughts, and he glanced over his shoulder, his gaze meeting the gazes of a man and a woman staring in their direction. He quickly looked away, not wanting to encourage their attention. His eyes met Cressida’s, who was refilling her cup. “Your sister’s here.”
“Hum…” Cressida exclaimed. She put down the bottle, and before she could even lift her gaze, Havyn and Nicole approached their table, standing opposite them.
“How come I wasn’t expecting to meet you here, though you can be?” Havyn taunted, her hands folded across her chest, with Nicole standing behind her.
Cressida lifted her gaze and shrugged. “Maybe because you aren’t used to me being in a better place you can only dream of,” she shot back, her tone calm with a polite smile spreading on her lips.
“You—” Havny wanted to reply, but Alaric spoke up.
“Reflect on that—is that a proper way to start a conversation?” His calm tone belied the rudeness of his words, his expression neutral. His authoritative tone brooked no argument as he lifted his eyebrows, his gaze fixed on Havyn. “My wife told me a lot about you already. You’re the sister she tolerated for a long time. How have you been?”
Alaric didn’t let Havyn respond, scoffing instead. “It’s obvious you’re cool until you see my beloved wife here,” he said and smirked. “You never imagined meeting her at such a gathering.”
Havyn’s face tightened as Alaric’s words struck a nerve. With no comeback, she turned to Cressida. “Is this what you’ve been up to?” She asked, her voice low to avoid drawing attention despite the anger simmering beneath. “It’s obvious you’ve narrated our relationship to him. But did you clear your part as well? Because I know if you did, he wouldn’t be defending you right now. You’d have been chased out,”
Havyn took a step back, her gaze shifting to Alaric. “Did she—” she began, attempting to blackmail him, but Alaric didn’t give her the chance.
“Want to blackmail her? She’s my wife, not just your sister. Times have changed—you can’t talk to her like you used to. If there’s something I should know, she’ll tell me. Otherwise, I don’t need to hear it from you,” his tone was firm, his words a clear warning.
“Disrespect her, and you're challenging me. You’ll pay the price if that happens. She's not someone I take lightly—she’s part of me.”
Nicole stood frozen, watching the exchange unfold. “I-” he tried to intervene, but Alaric’s raised hand silenced him, its authority unmistakable.
“Your presence suffocates. Go away.”
Havyn’s eyes reddened as she stared at Cressida, her teeth clenched in humiliation. She breathed deeply, tearing her gaze away from Cressida before striding away, anger radiating from her, with Nicole hurrying after her.
Alaric’s gaze turned to Cressida’s face. “I’m sorry I didn’t give a heads-up.” He apologized.
Cressida’s lips curled into a smile as she shook her head. “You did nothing wrong,” she said, excitement flickering across her face. “I mean, who needs a heads-up for something like this? You handled it great. I like that.”
Alaric nodded, a smile spreading across his face as he struggled to contain his happiness.
“Wow!” Cressida exclaimed, her left hand covering her mouth as she pointed at his face. “Did you just smile?”
His smile vanished instantly. “Me? Smile?” He shook his head, denying it, “no, I’m not smiling.”
“You did. I saw it,” she insisted, her eyes shining with amusement. “And a genuine smile really suits you,”
Her gaze locked on his, her tone seeking, “please, smile more often? Will you?”
“What’s the difference between here and the hall?" Cressida tossed a question as Cressida entered the atrium, a wineglass in hand, and Alaric’s gaze followed her, his eyes locked on hers as she approached.
“You left because Felix was basking in praise, and you couldn’t stomach his voice,” she observed, her eyes piercing his. “Yet, the hall’s just a few steps away. Can you escape his voice?”
“Not entirely,” he admitted, his gaze drifting away. “I can tolerate his voice, but I don’t have to see his smug face.”
Cressida’s smile was gentle as she inclined her head. “That’s the worst part, isn’t it?” She shrugged, her voice softening. “Thanks, anyway. Thanks for staying, even when you wanted to leave. What would I have done if you’d walked out in anger?”
Alaric’s hand extended, and Cressida placed the wine glass in it. He took a sip, his eyes fixed ahead as he exhaled slowly. “Cressida...” he murmured, his voice husky. “What makes for good revenge?”
His need to express himself overrode his initial desire for silence, and without waiting for her response, he continued, “is revenge even worth it if it doesn’t bring lasting satisfaction?”
His gaze locked onto hers, his thoughts spilling out. “I’m thinking true victory lies not in retaliation, but in transformation. It’s about turning adversity into opportunity, emerging stronger, wiser, and more resilient..”
Cressida’s eyes widened in surprise, her mind reeling with questions. Was this really the Alaric she knew? Why did everything about him feel different now? The thoughts swirled in her head, but she couldn’t form words—her lips parted in stunned silence as she stared at him.
“Imagine focusing on becoming the best version of yourself, rather than seeking revenge. By rising above, you’ll leave negativity and adversity behind…” he furthered, his voice infused with quiet intensity.
“The ultimate comeback is taking control of your life, making empowering choices, and transcending the pain of the past,” his voice rose and fell with the effort of containing his emotions. “Success will be your strongest ally, giving you the upper hand and the strength to heal. Your adversaries will be left to confront the consequences of their actions.”
Her gaze was transfixed on his, as if trapped by the intensity of his words. The storm of questions in her mind seemed to boil over, but she managed to whisper a single query, “what should I do?”
“Have you ever wondered if revenge is truly what you need, or is it just a fleeting solution for a deeper pain?” His words hung in the air. “Revenge might offer momentary satisfaction, but I believe what you need is to surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you... And the Palmers will never be that for you.”
“What’s been taken from you is peace of mind, not opportunity,” he said, his words candid. “This marriage, and taking sides in family drama, will only bring you more stress and anxiety, regardless of whose side you’re on…”
He tapped his fingers on his palm, emphasizing his point. “My family’s secrets run deep, and even our closest allies can be kept in the dark—that’s a recipe for betrayal and heartache,”
His voice dropped, laced with frustration and vulnerability. “I rarely care this much about someone, and now that I do, I can’t even hide it. The worst part is trying to get my messed-up mind off it.”
His gaze met hers again, his eyes widening slightly. “You should focus on reclaiming your peace of mind, not getting dragged into another toxic family dynamic.”
Cressida’s eyes fluttered closed, then snapped back open, her gaze refocusing on Alaric. She exhaled softly, nodding subtly as his words settled in. Though her composure remained, a hint of introspection flickered beneath the surface. She leaned forward slightly, her arms crossing over her chest. “If you knew how things would turn out, why not put yourself in this position?”
Alaric’s response was measured. “We’ve both lost different things, so our desires can’t be the same. Revenge drove me, but it’s not what you need. You deserve more than that,” His words hung in the air, a quiet conviction underlying his tone. “Our experiences are different. Revenge consumed me, but it's not the answer for you.”
Cressida’s eyes widened in challenge. “How well do you know me? You think you can offer advice?” Her voice was laced with skepticism. “Our experiences may be different, but if peace is what I need, you need it more than I do,”
She chuckled, her hands unfolding from her chest. “At least I can stomach seeing my adversary. Can you?” Her smile was subtle, but her words were piercing. “I’ve endured what you can’t, which makes me stronger than you. Maybe I’m the one who should advise you—not the other way around.”
Her jab was enough to provoke him, but he surprised her by giggling. “You promised to avoid triggering my anger, yet here we are.” He said, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Cressida nodded boldly. “Yes, I did. But not after I figure out you’re aware of the truth and choose to ignore it.”
“We may be after the same thing, but our truths are different,” he said, his voice measured. “Just because revenge is a part of my life doesn't mean it’s the only thing driving me. Okay?”
He paused, his eyes locking onto hers. “Obsessing over revenge doesn’t mean I’m not searching for inner peace. You can’t judge someone solely by appearances.”
Cressida’s response was immediate. “But I want the truth without the facade!” Her voice rose, and her eyes widened in realization. She quickly glanced around, relieved she hadn’t drawn attention, then refocused on Alaric, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Alaric, I don’t know you well, but one thing’s clear…”
“You’re holding back. And that makes it hard for me to connect with you on the same level,”
“I can see you’re hiding your pain, and I don't want to add to it,” she said, her voice filled with empathy. “Our relationship may be contractual, but I want to find a real connection with you,”
She shook her head, her words pouring out. “I’m not trying to win your heart or secure a place in your family—I just want to help,” her eyes locked onto his, searching for understanding. “But you’re making it hard, and I’m left wondering if you’re struggling with some inner turmoil…”
She paused, her brow furrowed. “Maybe you’re suffering from brain damage?”
Alaric’s eyes widened in surprise. “Brain damage?” He repeated.
Cressida nodded. “Yes. One minute you’re kind, the next you’re cold. Do you have bipolar disorder?”
Alaric shook his head without thinking, his response automatic. “No, I don’t.”
Cressida’s shoulders shrugged. “Then why? Is it fear of trust?”
She didn’t wait for an answer, her words flowing, “I told you, you don’t have to trust me. Just let me do what I plan,” her voice softened, her eyes pleading. “Alaric, I’m not special, but I hate leaving without making a difference. Just give me the chance to fulfill my dream. Let me make a small impact.”
Her palms rubbed together, a gesture of sincerity. “I promise nothing will go wrong. I’ll do whatever you want.”
He turned his face away. “I want nothing other than what you already knew,” he rejected. “If you don’t want to follow my advice, it’s fine. Let’s avoid distraction, as you said. No more discussion about anyone’s personal life or dream.”
She snickered, a hint of amusement in her voice. “It’s hypocritical that you’re offering me advice but didn’t want to listen to mine,” she protested, and Alaric opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off, changing the subject. “Felix is done with his speech? Can we go back in now?”
“No, I’m not going,” he declined, his voice firm. “You can go.”
Cressida shook her head, her response immediate. “No, I won’t go without you…” She stepped forward, standing beside him, facing the same direction. “If you’re not going back in, I don’t see the point of me being there either.”
Alaric raised an eyebrow. “Why not? No one’s stopping you from having fun without me.”
Cressida shrugged, her voice matter-of-fact. “The chairman’s right. I exist in this family only as your wife. Whether or not it’s an arrangement, we have to meet public expectations of a happy couple,”
Her eyes met his, a quiet determination in her gaze. “So, I’ll only be where you are.”