The Unforeseen Gift and a Resolute Promise

Elara's POV

Eleanor beamed when she saw us walking through the door together. Her eyes sparkled with hope, clearly pleased to see Damien and me arriving home at the same time.

"There you are, my dears!" She clapped her hands together. "I was beginning to worry."

"No need to worry, Grandmother," Damien said, his voice level. "Traffic was heavier than usual."

Eleanor looked between us, searching for signs of reconciliation. "You both must be famished. I've had dinner kept warm."

I shook my head. "I'm afraid I need to decline, Eleanor. I still have work calls to make."

The disappointment on Eleanor's face was evident, but I couldn't bear sitting through another meal pretending everything was fine. Damien's unexpected kindness about the villa had left me feeling off-balance.

"Don't work too hard, dear," Eleanor patted my arm. "You always push yourself too much."