Echoes of Estrangement at Dinner

Lucas Sterling's POV

I arrived at the Thorne mansion fifteen minutes early. Eleanor Thorne had been insistent on this dinner, and I knew better than to keep the Thorne matriarch waiting. The butler led me into the ornate dining room where Elara was already seated, helping Coco with her napkin.

"There we go, sweetheart. Remember to put it on your lap like a proper lady," Elara said, her voice soft as she smoothed the cloth across her daughter's legs.

Coco beamed up at her mother. "Like this, Mommy?"

"Perfect," Elara replied, tucking a strand of hair behind Coco's ear.

I observed the interaction with narrowed eyes. This picture-perfect mother-daughter moment struck me as hollow. Just yesterday, Elara had practically signed away custody of Coco without a fight. Her performance now seemed calculated.

"Good evening," I said, announcing my presence.