An Unexpected Encounter

Angella took a small sip of her tea trying to keep her expression neutral though she could sense the tension simmering beneath the surface. 

Helen had always been kind to her—almost too kind. The regret in her eyes now only confirmed what Angella had suspected all along, Logan's decision had not been hers alone to bear.

Helen set her cup down and reached into her purse. She pulled out a stack of elegant invitations. "My grandson's birthday is coming up next weekend. I was just handing these out and of course I would love for you all to come."

She placed an envelope beside Millie's plate before turning to Angella. "You too, dear."

Angella hesitated before accepting it. "That's kind of you."

"Oh, nonsense," Helen insisted, patting her hand. "It would mean a lot to me if you came."

Millie picked up the invitation with an arched brow. She scanned it for a moment before letting out a low chuckle. "How thoughtful, Helen. A grand celebration for the next generation of the Fredrick family and I assume Ruby will be in her full 'lady of the house' glory, playing the perfect mother?"

Helen's fingers curled slightly around her teacup but she kept her smile intact. "She does her best."

Millie smirked, tapping a finger against the invitation. "Well, she certainly played her part well enough to land Logan. Though I must say for a woman who started as the help, she certainly climbed the ladder fast. Guess ambition runs deep."

The polite murmur of conversation around them faltered ever so slightly and a flicker of something unreadable crossed Helen's face before she let out a composed laugh. "Ambition or fate, who is to say?"

Millie sipped her tea leisurely. "Oh, I would say it takes more than just fate to cozy up in another woman's place."

Angella shot her mother a look but Millie simply smiled, taking another slow sip of tea as if she had just discussed the weather.

Helen's grip on her saucer tightened before she smoothed her expression. "Well, life has a way of rearranging things whether we like it or not."

She took a small sip of tea but Angella caught the slight tension in her posture—the way her shoulders stiffened for a second before she exhaled slowly regaining her composure.

Millie simply smiled and took another slow sip of her tea, feeling victorious in her own quiet way.

...

[Half an Hour Later] 

The air at the tea party had settled into a polite hum of conversation but Angella could still feel the weight of Helen's words lingering. She wasn't naive—Helen's invitation wasn't as simple as it seemed.

 Before she could dwell on it further, a smooth voice cut through the atmosphere.

"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?" 

Angella turned her head and her eyes met with his sharp hazel eyes and an easy smirk. 

Damien Anderson stood at the edge of the gathering. His tailored suit fit him with perfection, exuding confidence and something else—mischief. 

Helen stiffened slightly but her pleasant mask remained intact.

"I heard the Becker family's daughter was gracing this little gathering but I had to see for myself," he said, stepping closer.

Angella arched a brow at him. "I don't recall us being acquainted." 

Damien placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. "Now that wounds me. I suppose I will have to work harder to be memorable." 

Helen pressed her lips together but she said nothing. Her fingers tightened slightly around her teacup. It was clear that she wasn't liking what was happening. 

Millie, who was watching the scene unfold, sipped her tea with a knowing smile.Unlike Helen, she was liking what she was seeing.

"What an interesting way to approach a conversation," Angella remarked dryly but her lips curved slightly. "Flattery, followed by self-pity."

Damien laughed. "I prefer to think of it as a charming persistence." He took the seat beside her and draped an arm over the back of her chair in a way that felt both casual and intentional. "But if you prefer a more direct approach—Tell me Ms. Becker, what exactly brings you here? A sense of duty? Family obligation? Or were you simply hoping to be entertained?"

Angella tilted her head slightly, matching his gaze without hesitation. "Would you believe me if I said I enjoy the tea?"

Damien's smirk widened. "A woman of mystery. I like that."

Before Angella could respond, Helen's phone rang. The conversation lulled as she answered it. Her voice was smooth and pleasant but the flicker in her gaze made it clear she was onto something. 

Within minutes, Logan Fredrick arrived.

Angella froze the moment she saw him.

Her breath hitched, though she quickly masked it. It had been years since their breakup but this was the first time she was seeing him in person. The sight of him sent an uneasy swirl through her stomach and a cold weight settled in her chest.

…..