The Unspoken Judgment

Elara's POV

"I won't be attending Clara's birthday celebration."

Damien's words came through my phone speaker with typical finality. No apology. No explanation. Just a statement of fact delivered in his usual detached manner.

I hadn't expected anything different, yet disappointment still pricked at me. Not for myself—I'd long stopped hoping for his presence in my life—but for my grandmother, who still held a fondness for him despite everything.

"I see," I replied evenly. "I'll let her know."

"I've arranged for a gift to be delivered," he added, his tone businesslike. "It should arrive tomorrow morning."

Of course he had. Damien Thorne never missed an opportunity to fulfill social obligations with expensive presents that required zero personal involvement.

"Thank you," I said, the politeness automatic after years of practice.

A brief silence stretched between us before he spoke again. "Cora will be ready at six on Friday."

"I'll pick her up then."