Tea-party

As Damien sipped his wine, Franklin cleared his throat, setting the newspaper aside. "How is business at the firm?"

"Busy," Damien replied curtly. His tone signaled he wasn't in the mood to talk about work.

Franklin noticed but pressed on. "And your personal life? Any chance we will see you settling down soon?"

Damien's hand paused mid-air with the wine glass. "Not this again, Dad."

"Why not?" Rose chimed in gently trying to soften the conversation. "You are not getting any younger, Damien. A family of your own wouldn't hurt."

Damien chuckled bitterly. "I don't think I am cut out for the whole 'happy family' thing." His tone was light but Rose detected the pain beneath his words.

"You are more like your mother than you think," Franklin said, his voice firm.

Damien's smile vanished, and the room grew quiet. He placed his wine glass down, the tension in his jaw unmistakable. "Let's not bring her up."

"Damien—" Rose started but he held up a hand to stop her.

"I appreciate the dinner, Rose, really. But I think I will call it a night." He stood up. His chair scraped the floor as he pushed it back.

Rose looked at Franklin who gave her a small shake of his head. She sighed but didn't press further.

As Damien grabbed his coat and keys, Franklin spoke again. "Son, running from the past won't help you build a future."

Damien paused at the door but didn't turn around. "Goodnight, Dad." With that, he left, leaving his father and stepmother exchanging worried glances.

….

[The Becker Household] 

After finishing her meal, Angella helped her mother clear the table while the kids played in the living room.

"Mom, about what you said earlier—" Angella started, carefully picking her words. "I know you mean well but I am not ready for any of that."

Millie gave her daughter a soft smile as she wiped the table. "I know, honey. I just don't want you to close off the idea entirely. You have been through a lot but you deserve happiness too."

Angella sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter. "My happiness is watching those two kids smile. That's enough for me right now." She glanced toward the living room where Julianna and Kevin were laughing over a board game.

Millie nodded, understanding what her daughter meant but she was silently wishing she would let herself dream beyond her current responsibilities.

"Alright," Millie said, changing the subject. "But don't forget about the tea party tomorrow." 

Angella groaned. "How could I forget? Can't I skip it?" She wasn't interested in entertaining a bunch of ladies from her mother's social group. 

"Oh, honey—" Millie gently brushed her hair. "Of course not." 

...

[The Next Day] 

Despite her efforts to skip the tea-party, her mother managed to bring her along. 

Angella sat at the elegantly decorated garden table, trying her best to fade into the background. The soft hum of polite conversation surrounded her as Millie's friends chatted over tea and delicate pastries. She stirred her drink only half-listening to the latest gossip about charity events and high society affairs.

She felt a little out of place as it had been years since she had attended such events. 

Just as she was about to excuse herself, a familiar voice sent a chill down her spine.

"Angella, dear!"

She froze. Her grip tightened on the porcelain cup. It was Helen Fredrick, Logan's mother.

For a fleeting second she considered pretending not to hear but it was too late. The older woman had already made her way over with a warm smile on her face.

"Oh, sweetheart," Helen sighed, wrapping Angella in a tight embrace before she could protest. "It's been so long."

Angella forced a polite smile, trying her best to suppress the discomfort twisting inside her. "Mrs. Fredrick… it's nice to see you."

Helen pulled back.. "You look as beautiful as ever, but thinner. Are you eating well?" she said as she scanned Angella.

Angella stiffened. The concern in Helen's voice felt genuine but the memories attached to her name were ones she had spent years trying to forget. Memories of Logan and his betrayal.

"I am doing fine," she said, hoping to keep the conversation short.

Helen sighed. "I know I shouldn't bring up the past but I just want to say—I am sorry, Angella. What Logan did— it is unforgivable."

Angella's chest tightened but she quickly composed herself. "That's alright, it's all in the past now." She didn't want to talk about Logan or Ruby. She had other things to worry about than two sly individuals. 

Helen gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Just know that I always thought you were too good for my son."

Millie, who had been watching the exchange, chose that moment to intervene. "Helen, would you like some more tea?"

"Yeah sure." 

Refilling her cup, Millie said, "George and I are actually happy that things didn't work out between Angella and Logan." Passing Helen the cup, she smiled, "Ruby is more suited for your family than our Angella." 

The smile in Helen's lips slowly faded and her expression slowly darkened. But she didn't say anything. Like everyone in the Fredrick family, Helen was not happy with Logan's choice of choosing Ruby over Angella. 

Angella was a socialite, the only daughter of a renowned family whereas Ruby was a nobody, a daughter of the butler and chauffeur of the Becker family. 

Millie saying that Ruby was better suited for the Fredrick family meant that she believed Logan had chosen beneath his status and perhaps in some way, insulted the Fredrick name.

Helen's grip on the cup tightened slightly but she quickly masked her reaction with a polite smile. "Well—" she said carefully, "as long as Logan is happy."

"We as parents always have to compromise when it comes to our kids," Millie added. "We have to force ourselves to like it even if we don't want to." 

…..