Chapter 223
Aveline
As we pulled into the estate's circular driveway, I remembered something important. "Oh, by the way, I may have created a small fictional romance for you while you were... indisposed. I hope you don't mind playing along with the story."
Vivian immediately swatted my arm with mock indignation. "You didn't need to invent some ridiculous love story! If you wanted to keep the truth private, you could have just said I was traveling or something."
"But where's the fun in that?" I teased, though I noticed how her expression softened when she said the word "romance." There was something almost wistful in her eyes. "Besides, I have a feeling you might actually have stumbled onto some real romance recently."
"What are you talking about?" she demanded, but the slight pink flush in her cheeks was telling. "I've been kidnapped and hospitalized! Where exactly would I find romance in that nightmare?"
"Hard to say," I mused playfully. "After all, my own great love story began with six years of hating a man I thought had abandoned me. Life has a funny way of surprising us."
Grandmother was waiting at the front door before we'd even parked, her face glowing with joy at seeing Vivian safely home. She enveloped her in the kind of fierce hug usually reserved for returning soldiers, asking dozens of questions about her health, her comfort, her needs.
"Now," Grandmother said with a conspiratorial wink, "when do we get to meet this charming European art dealer who swept you off your feet in the Hamptons? You've been keeping him quite mysterious!"
Vivian shot me a panic-stricken look, but I just smiled encouragingly.
"He's... very busy with his gallery right now," Vivian managed, her voice only slightly strained. "But I'll definitely bring him around soon for you to meet."
"Oh, I can't wait!" Grandmother clapped her hands together with delight. "What kind of art does he specialize in? Is he handsome? How did you meet?"
"Grandmother," I intervened with a laugh, "give the poor girl a chance to settle in before you interrogate her about her love life."
Vivian seized the opportunity to escape, mumbling something about needing to unpack and practically fleeing toward the stairs.
We were just settling down to dinner when one of the household staff appeared in the doorway. "Miss Aveline, Mr. Blackwell has arrived."
"Wonderful!" Grandmother exclaimed, immediately brightening. "Please show him in! Aveline, darling, aren't you going to greet your husband properly?"
"Grandmother," I said with exaggerated patience, "we've discussed this. Until we have our actual wedding ceremony, I'd prefer we maintain some appropriate boundaries."
"What nonsense!" Grandmother scoffed. "You've been married for six years, dear. This sudden shyness is quite unnecessary."
Even Vivian couldn't help but smile at this exchange, though I noticed her growing tense as footsteps approached the dining room.
When Orion appeared in the doorway, he looked like he'd stepped out of a magazine—perfectly tailored charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, and that confident smile that never failed to make my pulse quicken. His eyes immediately found mine across the room, and the warmth in his gaze made me feel like we were the only people in the world.
"I hope I'm not intruding," he said, taking in the elegant spread of roasted duck with cherry glaze, garlic-herb roasted vegetables, and Grandmother's famous rosemary bread. "Everything smells absolutely incredible. I've always maintained that the meals here surpass any five-star restaurant."
"Nonsense!" Grandmother beamed, immediately rising to fuss over him. "You're family now—officially family! Sit, sit, there's plenty for everyone."
I noticed Vivian immediately begin to shrink into herself, her earlier confidence evaporating. "I'm actually quite full," she murmured, starting to push back from the table. "I should probably—"
But before I could intervene, Orion crossed the room and extended his hand toward her with genuine warmth.
"Vivian! I hardly recognized you—that dress is absolutely stunning, and you look radiant. Thank you for taking such good care of Aveline all this time. I know she can be quite the handful."
I shot him a mock-offended look, but I was secretly thrilled by his gesture. Vivian needed this olive branch, this acknowledgment that she was welcome in our strange new family dynamic.
The effect was immediate. Vivian's posture relaxed, and she accepted his handshake with something approaching a real smile. "Thank you. And don't worry—I won't be the one looking after her much longer. That responsibility is transferring to you."
As she settled back into her seat, I caught Orion's eye and mouthed a silent "thank you." He just winked, and I realized that despite all the chaos and complications of our unconventional love story, we were finally building something that felt like a real family.
Even if that family happened to include bodyguards, hidden threats, and enough drama to fuel a television series.