A HOUSE DIVIDED
(The past isn't done with us yet)
Shadow_vee
At a bustling place in the city for the wealthy stood the Aurelia Lounge.It was alive in the way only socialite spaces were,soft music humming in the background,gentle clink of glasses,low laughter spilling from polished lips as though nothing beneath them had ever cracked, failed, or broken.
This was where influence gathered after dark, deals were whispered and scandals buried.
Damien sat alone in the VIP section, a drink untouched on the table in front of him. His posture was relaxed, almost careless, but his eyes were far away, absent, as though the room existed without him.
The night before came back to him in flashbacks, the moment when his father ticked the bomb and the room had gone deathly still.
"Starting from tomorrow," his father's voice echoed, merciless, "you cease to be the CEO. I will take over all decisions until Darla comes of age."
"…until Darla comes of age," as though Damien's years of sacrifice were nothing more than borrowed time.
"If you want it restored, you know what must be done."
The look on everyone's face was frozen
Marina was already in tears
He had groomed himself for this role for years,earned the degree,endured the pressure,learned the language of power just to stand where he stood only for it to be taken from him because of a promise his father had made long before he even understood what loyalty cost.
He looked at his father then his mother and without a word, he walked out.
After a momentary pause Mia had tried to catch up to him, calling his name as he sped out of the compound, tires screeching. When she returned, fury burning through her, she faced their father
"What was the meaning of that Dad?" she asked accusingly. "What did he do? He poured everything he had into this, and you're just taking it away from him. Is this even a family gathering when you had already made your decision? You summoned us here for a charade.
Andre's face had been unmoved.
"This family will not bend for him."
"Can someone...anyone in this house explain to me what's going on?" she screamed.
The rest of them remained rooted to the spot they had never been so lost before ,the could only stare at Andre, waiting for an explanation that did not come.
That was when Marina finally had enough.
She turned to him, anger blazing in her eyes.
"You're happy now, right?" she asked bitterly. "Fulfilled?"
Andre didn't respond.
"I begged you not to bring this up," she continued, her voice trembling with restrained fury. "At least not today. But you couldn't even listen to me.He has been avoiding this house for the past two years just because of you and now you've finally pushed him to his breaking point."
She took a sharp breath .
"Dad is the reason Damien withdrew from everyone… Dear Lord, what is going on?" Darla thought, her chest tightening as she tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding before her.
"This is the twenty-first century, for Christ's sake. Why should you be the one to decide who he marries? He's our son he should have a say in something that concerns his future and not get married to some unknown girl from an unknown background have you thought about what are people are going to say."
Her voice broke slightly, but she didn't stop.
"Yes, the man saved your life. Good. But couldn't you reward him with something else? Why our child's happiness? Why should Damien pay the price for a promise you made years ago?What if just what if all this was staged and planned from the onset and you're gradually leading our son into their trap"
She shook her head in disbelief.
"You don't even have a trace of this man anymore, for Christ's sake. So why punish our son for someone you can't even find?"
Mia's mouth fell open.
"Wait what?" she blurted. "What sort of barbaric nonsense is that?"
She turned sharply to their father, eyes blazing.
"Watch your tongue," Andre warned coldly.
Mia fell silent, but her glare never left his face.
Zack finally spoke, his voice low but firm.
"Dad… is this true?"
Andre said nothing he didn't need to the silence was answer already.
Zepher stared at their father for a long moment, then let out a quiet, humorless chuckle.
"And here I was thinking he was in a bigger mess. You people are always so dramatic."
Marina and Mia turned to glare at him.
He lifted his hands slightly. "Alright. I'll shut up."
Darla hadn't moved. She stood there, frozen, trying to process everything her shock written plainly across her face.
Then Mia asked the question that had settled heavily on everyone's mind.
"Mom…" her voice lowered, cautious now. "Who is this girl?"