My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Birthday Whispers, Hidden Heartbreak
Elara’s eyes met Vivienne’s cool gaze. Her half-sister’s perfect smile never faltered as the executives surrounding her continued their praise.
“Your presentation on the European market was outstanding, Dr. Dubois,” gushed Sandra Phillips, the marketing director. “The board was absolutely impressed.”
Vivienne tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Thank you. It was merely a summary of my research at Oxford.”
The group laughed appreciatively, as if she’d said something incredibly witty. No one acknowledged Elara’s presence. She might as well have been invisible.
“Excuse me,” Elara murmured, slipping past them.
She felt Vivienne’s eyes follow her retreat, the weight of that stare like a knife between her shoulder blades. Seven years of marriage to Damien, and she was treated like an intruder, while Vivienne commanded respect after mere months.
At her desk, Elara’s phone buzzed. A text from Chloe: “Emergency! Need you at Bellini’s now! Code red!!”
Elara frowned. Code red was their signal for serious boyfriend trouble. She grabbed her purse and headed for the elevator.
Twenty minutes later, she pulled up to Bellini’s, an upscale Italian restaurant downtown. As she approached the entrance, something caught her eye through the large glass windows. Her step faltered.
Inside, at a table near the window, sat Cora. Her daughter was supposed to be in Andoria with Damien, yet here she was, chattering excitedly to Vivienne.
Elara ducked behind a decorative pillar. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Why were they back early? Why hadn’t anyone told her?
Through the glass, she could see Cora’s animated face. The child was practically bouncing in her seat as she handed something to Vivienne. A small, wrapped box.
Elara inched closer, positioning herself where she could see but wouldn’t be noticed. Cora was beaming with pride as Vivienne opened the gift.
“Look what I made for you!” Cora’s voice was faintly audible through the glass. “Dad helped me polish the shells!”
Vivienne lifted a delicate shell necklace from the box, her face lighting up with what appeared to be genuine delight. “Oh, Coco, it’s beautiful!”
“We collected the shells at the beach in Andoria,” Cora explained proudly. “Dad said we had to come back early for your birthday!”
Each word felt like a physical blow. They had cut their trip short for Vivienne’s birthday. Not for Elara’s two weeks ago, which Damien and Cora had both forgotten entirely.
“Is that why we rushed back?” asked a woman Elara recognized as Vivienne’s friend, Charlotte. “For your birthday?”
Vivienne smiled, fastening the necklace around her neck. “Damien said he couldn’t miss it.”
Charlotte laughed. “Speaking of which, where is your dashing man?”
“Parking the car,” Vivienne replied. “He should be here any—”
“Happy birthday, beautiful.”
Damien appeared, looking more relaxed than Elara had seen him in years. He bent down to kiss Vivienne’s cheek before taking the seat beside her.
“Dad!” Cora exclaimed. “Vivienne loves my necklace!”
“Of course she does,” Damien replied, his hand resting possessively on Vivienne’s shoulder. “You made it with love.”
Elara’s vision blurred. She blinked rapidly, refusing to cry here, in public, like some pathetic, jilted wife.
“So, did you like your other present?” Charlotte asked Vivienne with a suggestive smile.
Vivienne’s lips curled into a secretive smile. “Very much.”
“I already gave Vivienne my gift,” Damien said simply.
“Oh, I bet you did,” Charlotte laughed, raising her eyebrows. “Something private, no doubt.”
The table erupted in laughter. Even Cora giggled, though she clearly didn’t understand the innuendo.
Elara stepped back from the window, feeling sick. Her phone buzzed again: Chloe calling.
“Where are you?” Chloe demanded when she answered. “I’ve been waiting at the bar!”
“You’re here? At Bellini’s?” Elara whispered, scanning the restaurant interior.
“Yes! Third stool from the left. I can see you outside! What are you doing lurking by the pillar?”
Elara spotted her friend waving from the bar. “Stay there. I’ll come to you.”
She circled around to the side entrance, keeping her head down. The last thing she needed was for Damien or Cora to see her.
Chloe’s concerned face greeted her at the bar. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
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