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Chapter_31
Dorian’s eyes locked onto Percival with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Cordelia’s face mirrored his reaction—shock, followed by a hint of annoyance that she tried to conceal.
Vivienne, sensing the tension, shifted slightly in her seat, maintaining a calm demeanor. She had anticipated this reaction, but it was still uncomfortable to see the surprise written on their faces. She had always kept things subtle with Dorian, not wanting to escalate the situation, but now the truth was out.
Percival, ever the composed one, smiled politely as if the news were of little consequence. “I believe it’s time everyone knew, Mr. Hawthorn,” he said smoothly, taking a sip from his glass as if he were discussing something trivial, “Vivienne has agreed to become my fiancée. We’ve made arrangements to announce it soon.”
Vivienne, her tone measured, added, “It’s true, Father. I’ve made my decision.”
Dorian looked at Vivienne, his brow furrowing. “But… why didn’t you tell us sooner? Why keep it from us?”
Vivienne met his gaze, her voice calm but firm. “I didn’t see the need to rush. There’s been enough chaos recently, and I wanted to avoid unnecessary stress.” She paused before continuing, “I’m sure you can understand, father, that this was a personal decision. I didn’t want to make things harder than they already were.”
Cordelia, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke, her voice tinged with an edge of frustration. “And what about Arabella?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Is she going to be okay with this?”
Percival’s eyes flashed for a moment. “Arabella has no say in this matter,” he said, his voice firm. “She’s already been dealt with.”
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, the atmosphere seemed to thicken. Dorian shot Percival a questioning look, though he knew deep down that Percival’s assessment of Arabella’s behavior had been more than justified.
Vivienne sighed, a touch of sadness flickering in her eyes as she looked at her father. “I’m sorry if this causes any issues, but this is my choice.”
Dorian glanced at Vivienne for a long moment, then exhaled slowly. He nodded, although there was a trace of reluctance in his eyes. “I see. If you’re happy with your decision, Vivienne, then I can’t argue.”
The conversation shifted again, but there was an underlying tension in the air. Percival, sensing the lingering discomfort, decided to steer the conversation elsewhere. “Perhaps we should talk about something else. The evening is young, and there are guests to entertain.”
Before anyone could respond, Isolde’s voice cut through the silence once more. “But I still don’t get it, Mr. Hawthorn,” she said, blinking innocently. “You don’t like my brother, but you let Vivienne marry someone else? That seems weird. Don’t you think so?”
Dorian shot his daughter a warning look, but it was too late. The awkwardness returned in full force, and Percival once again found himself at a loss for words, unsure of how to handle Isolde’s incessant questions.
Vivienne chuckled softly, raising her glass. “I think we should leave the difficult questions for another time, don’t you think?”
Dorian, now visibly exasperated, nodded. “Yes, yes… let’s talk about something else.”
The group settled into a strained silence, though the tension between them hadn’t completely dissipated. As the evening continued, the undercurrent of unease remained, a reflection of the fractured relationships and unspoken truths that hung in the air. Percival and Vivienne exchanged glances—two people bound by circumstance, navigating a path fraught with challenges ahead.
