My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 53

53 Veiled Presence, Silent Vow

Elara’s POV

“That woman is a menace, Marcus Cole muttered, his eyes fixed on Vivienne across the exhibition hall. The bitterness in his voice surprised me.

Julian raised an eyebrow. “You seem to have more than professional grievances with

her.”

Cole’s jaw tightened. “My friend Stella Smith was engaged to Richard Hayes three years ago. Vivienne deshe wanted him, and within two months, Stella’s engagement was broken.”

I wasn’t surprised. “That sounds like Vivienne.”

“Stella caught them together at a charity gala,” Cole continued, his voice dropping. “When confronted, Vivienne claimed Richard had been pursuing her for months, made Stella look like the desperate, clingy ex.”

Julian frowned. “Is that why Stella isn’t here today? I thought her company was showcasing their new software.”

“They are, but Stella’s avoiding this particular day.” Cole’s expression darkened. “Last

week, she ran into Vivienne and Damien Thorne at a restaurant. Words were exchanged, and now Stella’s being crucified online for ‘attacking the golden couple.”

The term “golden couple‘ stung more than I wanted to admit.

“Vivienne has Damien’s PR team backing her now,” Cole added, glancing at me apologetically. “Sorry, I know he’s still legally your-”

“It’s fine,” I interrupted, not wanting to hear the word ‘husband. “Damien and I have separate lives now.”

Cole nodded, looking relieved he hadn’t crossed a line. “Stella’s avoiding public appearances until the scandal dies down. The internet is brutal when Thorne Industries decides someone’s their enemy.”

I knew that reality all too well.

An hour later, Julian and I toured the exhibition alongside Yandel, one of our lead.

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developers. We paused at an impressive holographic display when Julian suddenly tensed beside me.

“Damien Thorne just walked in,” he said quietly, nodding toward the main entrance.

I didn’t turn immediately. Inhaling deeply, I steeled myself before looking in that

direction.

Damien commanded attention without effort. Dressed impeccably in a charcoal suit. that emphasized his broad shoulders, he moved through the crowd with casual authority. People parted for him instinctively, their expressions shifting to eager smiles or respectful nods.

Vivienne stood at his side, her hand resting on his arm. She was radiant in her cream dress, looking every bit the partner of one of the world’s most powerful men.

“They certainly know how to work a room,” Yandel remarked, watching as the pair greeted various industry leaders.

Julian glanced at me. “Are you going to say hello? You are still his wife.”

“No,” I replied firmly. “We agreed to minimal interaction outside matters concerning

Cora”

Julian looked skeptical. “It’s a public event. Wouldn’t it seem strange if you avoided each other completely?”

I shook my head. “Stranger than him parading his mistress while his wife watches? I

don’t think so.”

Across the hall, Lucas Sterling joined Damien’s group. I hadn’t seen Lucas since that awkward dinner at Eleanor’s house. He seemed perfectly comfortable with Damien and Vivienne, laughing at something Vivienne said.

“Why are you really avoiding him?” Julian pressed quietly while Yandel stepped away to examine another display. “This isn’t just about dignity anymore, is it?”

I sighed, lowering my voice. “Before I left, Damien threatened to reveal certain… incidents if I ever caused problems for him or Vivienne.”

Julian’s expression hardened. “What incidents?”

“Things I was accused of years ago. Office sabotage, leaked documents.” I swallowed

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53 Veiled Presence, Silent Vow

the bitter memory. “I was framed, but I couldn’t prove it. If Damien decided to resurrect those accusations publicly…

“He wouldn’t,” Julian said, but uncertainty tinged his voice.

“He might, if provoked. My uncle’s company still depends on Thorne Industries contracts. I can’t risk it”

The realization that Damien held this power over me, even as we separated, was humiliating. I’d spent years building a spotless reputation at Thorne Industries, only to have false accusations lurking in my personnel file, ready to be weaponized.

“That’s blackmail, Julian said quietly.

“That’s business, I corrected. “At least in Damien’s world.”

We moved to the next exhibit, maintaining a careful distance from Damien’s group. I forced myself not to look in their direction, focusing instead on the technologies we were evaluating for potential partnerships.

But awareness of Damien’s presence lingered like static electricity on my skin. Years of being attuned to his movements in a room couldn’t be undone so easily.

“You should talk to him,” Julian suggested again as we paused near a quantum

computing demonstration. “Show him you’re not intimidated.”

I shook my head. “What would that accomplish? A polite hello while Vivienne watches?

No thanks,”

Julian sighed but didn’t push further.

From across the hall came sudden laughter – Vivienne’s distinctive, musical sound rising above the ambient noise. I glanced over reflexively.

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