Between a mother and a Wife.
Seraphina lounged in the corner like a queen on her throne, watching Eleanor and Damien clash, their voices slicing through the air like blades. She barely bothered to hide her boredom, rolling her eyes as if their heated argument were beneath her. What truly mattered was not their squabble, it was the outcome. This house, this perfect life, this Damien, she wanted it all. And that insufferable Eva? She deserved nothing more than to be tossed aside. That was precisely why Seraphina had dragged Eleanor all the way from California, down here in the first place. All what mattered now was for Eleanor to crush Damien's defiance, to silence Eva once and for all, and to clear the path for Seraphina to finally claim the title she believed was hers by right; Mrs. Lopez.
"Oh, it is," Eleanor whispered, venom and heartbreak lacing her words. "Deep down, you know I'm right."
"How can you still be drawn to a woman who deceived you? A woman who stole from us and is the reason your father is dead today?" Eleanor's voice cracked, raw with grief and fury.
"Can't you see what you're doing, Damien? Can't you even feel the slightest remorse? For Pete's sake, I lost my husband, my darling husband, and yet you act like the only thing that matters is your heart!" Her hand trembled against her chest. "I even found you Seraphina, perfect in every way! You attended the same college, she once saved your life, and her family's influence could strengthen ours. She's the daughter of a top politician and a powerful businessman. She has status, class, everything that matters in our world. That's how things work, Damien. You rise to the top, and you choose someone worthy. Not... this!"
"Mom." Damien's tone was low, controlled, but his jaw was set hard. "I know my marriage feels sudden. I never intended to disrespect you by doing this behind your back. But I didn't tell you because I knew you'd never accept it. And yes, you're right. Maybe this has never happened before. But I've never followed the rules. You've seen how I run my life, how I build my empire. I chase the impossible, and I win. And I'm gonna do it again" His eyes darkened, defiant. "Eva is my wife, and it will stay that way!"
"You lie!" Eleanor's voice thundered, echoing through the house. Her eyes blazed as she jabbed a finger at him. "Seraphina, the woman I handpicked for you, will be your only wife. Recognized and respected. I didn't fly all the way here to be mocked, Damien. I will stay in this house until you divorce that woman, and when you do, you will marry Seraphina. Not on my watch will you make such a disgraceful mistake again, never!"
Damien's expression hardened, but his voice dropped to a quiet steel. "I don't want this fight with you, Mother. You know me well enough to understand I mean every word I say. Go back to California, and take Seraphina with you. I don't want any form of drama." Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked out, the slam of the door cutting like a whip.
For a moment, the silence hung heavy. Then Seraphina's smug little smile slipped the instant Eleanor faced her. She pouted, lowering her gaze like a child caught in fear. "Mom, are you sure it's safe for me to stay? Damien can be so, aggressive when he's angry. I wouldn't want him to, hit me again." She quickly covered her mouth, pretending as though she hadn't meant to let it slip.
Eleanor froze. "What did you just say? My son, hit you? Tell me, Seraphina. Don't you dare hide this from me."
Seraphina hesitated, then whispered, "It's fine, really. He wasn't in his right frame of mind that day. I forgave him. I just, I'm scared he'll throw me out again, like he did the other time." Her eyes glistened with practiced tears.
Eleanor clasped her hand, her fury reigniting. "He threw you out? Oh, poor little thing. You've suffered so much in his hands. But don't worry. That ends now. I'll put everything back in order. That imposter will be gone before long, and when she is, Damien will have no choice but to marry you immediately. I promise."
Seraphina bit her lip, feigning hesitation. "Mum, I'm not as sure as I once was. That girl, Eva, she's beautiful. And clearly, Damien loves her. Maybe,"
Eleanor scoffed, eyes narrowing with venom. "He doesn't love her. He's confused. Smitten only because she reminds him of Tyler. That woman is nothing but a gold-digging opportunist. I'll destroy whatever fantasy he's under. Leave her to me."
Seraphina's lips curved into the faintest smile before she masked it with a weary sigh. "If you say so."
"I know so. Anyway, let's get settled, I'm starving." She turned toward the staircase and called sweetly, "Gina!" A maid hurried forward to gather the luggage, while Seraphina's eyes burned with determination, already plotting her next move.
Damien sat on the edge of the bed, watching Eva pace back and forth like a restless kitten. Her brow was furrowed, her teeth gently gnawing her pinky nail. He couldn't help but smile, everything about her fascinated him. Even her worry looked adorable.
"Madam, are you done worrying?" he teased softly. "Can you please get back to bed now?"
Eva spun around, glaring at him. "This isn't funny, Damien! This is serious. I can't believe you're treating this so trivially."
"She's my mom," he replied smoothly. "I can handle her."
"No..." Eva's voice broke as she climbed onto the bed beside him, her small hands curling in her lap. "If what she wants is for us to divorce... then maybe we should, just m-may be do it. I mean, we can still be friends and all, and i promise nothing would change between us. I mean, we can do it for everyone's peace, I mean..."
"That's enough!" Damien's voice sharpened, startling her. "So that's how weak your love is? One challenge and you're ready to throw in the towel? Especially, coming from someone who just yesterday was confessing how deeply she loved me, now you want to chicken out?"
Her lips trembled. "I am not chickening out. And I never said I didn't love you. But your mom, your family, they've hated me from the start. It's obvious they'll never accept me. Not your mom, not Vivian, not even that aunt of yours! They want someone with status, someone from 'high up there'!" She threw her hands up in frustration, as her words tumble on each other, only to find Damien staring at her in shock.
"Vivian?" he repeated slowly. "My aunt? How do you them? How did you know about my family?"
Eva froze. The air seemed to thicken around her. She stammered, scrambling for an escape. "Erh_I, I did my... findings."
"Findings?" His eyes narrowed. "My family is hidden away from the media. You won't find anything about them online. You spoke as if you knew them. As if you've met them before..."
"I told you I did my findings, I asked Mr. Eric!" she quickly used Eric as her escape root. "Yes, him. I wanted to know about the family of the man I married. Or c-can't I do that much?" She forced a laugh, though it sounded shaky.
Damien just studied her quietly, his silence heavier than any question. Eric? I thought he despised her... why would he tell her anything? It sure doesn't look like something Eric can do, but who knows.
Damian thought within him.
"Damien, I really do love you, but I..." Her voice trailed off. Inside, her thoughts boiled, I hate that stupid Seraphina to the bone. No way will I stay under the same roof as her!
Her angry little face only made Damien chuckle. "What's going on in that tiny head of yours?"
"I don't know..." she muttered, hugging her knees.
Damien sighed, then reached forward and pulled her into his arms. "Relax. I married you, Eva. That means I'll make this work. It is entirely my burden. You don't have to do a thing, you hear me? Just breathe. Cope with my mom for a while, get to know her, she can be very sweet, only she's just deceived by Seraphina for now. I strongly feel you can get to win her heart. If you can, trust me everything will change."
Eva nodded faintly, but her heart clenched. He doesn't know what they've done to me. How cruel they were. And Seraphina, my worst nightmare. How much she bullied me in the past. Never will I fall for them anymore. I would stand my ground and defend myself from those wicked souls. But for now, silence was her only shield.
That evening at dinner, the atmosphere was icy. Plates clinked too loudly, and Gina served quietly, aware of the tension. But Eva appeared with a tray of her own, carrying a steaming pot. Eleanor's frown deepened at once.
Eva ignored it. With a bright smile, she placed the food before Damien. "Darling, I made your favorite." She ladled some for herself, sat down, and dug in cheerfully as though she owned the table.
Eleanor's voice cut sharp. "Why are you eating separately, Damien? And what is that? Is that even edible?" she squeezed her nose as if it is dung.
Before Damien could answer, Gina piped up enthusiastically, "Oh ma'am, Miss Eva is an excellent cook! You should try it. Her food tastes just like my grandma's, so warm and comforting. Boss Damien loves it! Look at him, he's even gained weight thanks to her. You should see how much he eats now!"
Eleanor shot Gina a deadly glare, but the maid continued happily until she finally realized she'd said too much and hurried away.
Still, the proof was undeniable. Damien was eating with gusto, truly eating. Eleanor's eyes narrowed. My son, who always picked at food, who never cared for my own cooking, is devouring her food like it's a feast?
Her disapproval only deepened as she glanced at Eva. The girl ate with careless joy, tearing into a chicken drumstick with her bare hands, licking her fingers, utterly ignoring etiquette. Shameless bumpkin, Eleanor thought bitterly.
Across the table, Seraphina boiled of anger. Damien had spat out her food once without even knowing she'd cooked it, yet here he was cleaning Eva's plate spotless. But then she smirked when she saw Eva gnawing the chicken bone, oil smearing her lips. Foolish girl. With manners like that, she'll never win Eleanor's approval.
When Eva finished, she turned to Damien with big eyes, her mouth still shiny with grease. "Hubby, I over-ate. Now I can't get up." She pouted, blinking like a child seeking rescue.
Damien melted instantly. "It's okay, my angel. I'll carry you." His voice was soft, almost unrecognizable. He picked up a napkin, wiping her mouth and hands with gentle care.
"Look at you. Why eat like a baby huh?" he murmured, chuckling.
"Because it taste too good hubby!" she replied, blinking innocently.
He tapped her nose with his finger. "Next time, no eating like this outside. No matter how delicious the food is, okay?"
"Okay, hubby," she chirped.
And before the stunned eyes of Eleanor and Seraphina, Damien scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs, like a man carrying treasure.
Seraphina clenched her fists under the table, her chest burning with rage. Eleanor reached out and patted her shoulder, her voice low and cold. "Don't worry, dear. She won't last. I'll make sure of it."