CHAPTER 45: VICTORIA’S PERFECT DINNER

The Blackwood Mansion

The parlor was warm with late sunlight, the polished wood glowing, the air carrying the faint perfume of lilies. Sophia’s heels tapped softly against the marble as she entered, each step measured, her face carefully composed.

Victoria stood near the window, back straight, but when she turned and saw her daughter, her expression wavered.

Sophia let her eyes brim, her voice catch in her throat. "Mom... I’m so sorry." She crossed the room slowly, shoulders drawn inward, as if the weight of her own shame pulled her down.

"I was awful... screaming at you, at Alex. I lost control. I’ll apologize to him too, if you’ll let me. I just... I want to be better. A better daughter. A better person."

Her mother’s face crumpled. The sternness she wore so easily fell away, replaced by something soft, aching.

Victoria pulled Sophia into her arms, holding her tight. Her perfume was familiar, comforting, but it twisted inside Sophia like a knife.

"Oh, sweetheart," Victoria whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I thought I’d lost you." Her voice broke, the words tumbling out.

"You know... Your father... he... he was never faithful. Not once. I... " she swallowed, her voice catching, "I kept quiet, I kept the house steady, I tried to be... enough. And then Alex... he... he looked at me like I mattered. Like I was seen. I can’t lose that now, Sophia. Please, try to understand."

Sophia felt her chest constrict, but she kept her face soft, nodding, murmuring gently, "I understand, Mom. I just want us to be okay again."

Victoria pulled back, searching her eyes, and then... relieved... smiled through her tears. She reached for her phone, made a call, and within minutes Sophia’s frozen accounts were reinstated.

"You’re my princess again," Victoria said, kissing her daughter’s forehead. "Everything’s back the way it should be."

Sophia hugged her once more, her hands steady even as her heart went cold. She thinks she’s won me back, Sophia thought, the words burning inside her like a vow. She has no idea.

Victoria had barely let the silence settle after Sophia’s tearful apology when she said, almost cautiously,

"Sophia... tonight, I’m inviting Alex for dinner. It’s time you two face each other. You can apologize to him too."

Sophia’s lashes fluttered. For a moment, the mask almost cracked, but she caught herself. Her lips curved into something soft, almost angelic.

"Of...of course, Mother. If it’ll ease things between us... I’ll make it right with him."

Inside, though, her thoughts sharpened like glass. Apologize? To him? The man who looked at me with disgust? Her smile deepened, hiding the steel. Fine. I’ll bow my head tonight... but only long enough to rise higher than them both.

______

At the upscale cafe near campus, Sophia sat like a queen returned to her throne. Sunlight hit the diamond bracelet on her wrist, throwing tiny sparks as she lifted her latte.

"Mom forgave me," she said lightly, letting the words dangle like bait. "My accounts are unfrozen

Sophia let her bracelet catch the light as she swirled her latte. "Last night," she said smoothly, eyes sweeping over the table, "I was trying to tell you all that my mother forgave me. But none of you picked up." Her smile widened, slicing through their excuses before they could speak. "Anyway... Princess Sophia is back. And tonight? It’s all on me."

Marcus leaned forward, contrite. "Soph, I’m sorry. Dad’s got some business problems, and I... I wasn’t focused." His voice carried a genuine note of apology, but Sophia only nodded lightly, storing the weakness away.

Robert slapped her shoulder in mock camaraderie. "Knew it wouldn’t take long. You’re unstoppable." Tyler chimed in, echoing his praise, though both men’s grins didn’t reach their eyes.

Jennifer forced a smile. "I’m glad for you, Soph." But inside, her thoughts burned: This bitch. She always lands on her feet.

Sophia caught it all... the hollow cheer, the envy buried under politeness, Marcus’s guilt, Jennifer’s fury. Once, she might have missed these cracks. Now, clarity cut through like glass. The blindness of her old self was gone, replaced by cool indifference.

She leaned back, her gaze regal. "Then tonight," she said, voice lilting with command, "we’ll celebrate properly. My treat. Consider it... the start of my comeback."

______

Alex leaned back in the taxi’s seat, tapping his fingers on the leather as the driver pulled up the long driveway. His mind wandered... a mansion this big, yet he still relied on taxis.

Maybe it was time to buy a proper car, something that fit his new life. Hell, maybe even hire a few people to manage the place.

, cThe thought almost made him laugh. He’d come far, but pieces of his old life still clung stubbornly.

His phone buzzed. Victoria.

He swiped it open, her voice spilling through the speaker like champagne bubbles.

"Alex," she said, sounding brighter than he’d heard in weeks. "I have the most wonderful news. Tonight, come to my house for dinner. I’ll make it perfect... you’ll see. And..." she let the pause linger, savoring it, "Sophia forgave me. You were right."

Alex’s lips curved in a slow smile, though his eyes stayed sharp. "Was I now?"

"She’s even ready to apologize to you," Victoria rushed on, excitement coloring her words. "So, come at eight. Everything will be ready... and I’ll be ready too."

After the call, Alex leaned back on the sofa, phone dangling between his fingers, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Sophia... she’s not the type to forget things so easily. There’s definitely something brewing in that pretty little head of hers."

Just then, Lilith’s voice purred through the silence, velvety and mocking.

"Your little kitten is clawing a little too hard, darling. Let’s sit back and enjoy the show."

_______

The Blackwood dining room glowed in soft amber light, a warmth Victoria had carefully curated. It wasn’t Alex’s first time here, but tonight was different... tonight he was her guest. She had poured herself into every detail, turning an ordinary dinner into something far more deliberate, almost ceremonial.

The table gleamed with polished cutlery, crystal glasses sparkled, and dishes rich with aromas lined the linen spread. For the first time in years, her heart thrummed like a young bride’s.

Sophia had surprised her as well. When Victoria asked her to help, she hadn’t resisted. Instead, she’d busied herself in the kitchen, setting the table, arranging the flowers, quietly doing what she could.

Watching her daughter’s small efforts lit something hopeful in Victoria. Perhaps, finally, Sophia was softening.

The bell rang.

Victoria hurried to the door, smoothing her dress, her face glowing with nervous excitement. When she opened it, Alex stood there... sharp, commanding, every inch a man who had shed his past skin.

"Alex..." she greeted, her voice low, reverent. She reached for his hand instinctively, guiding him inside like an obedient wife welcoming her husband home. "Come in. I’ve prepared everything for you. You’ll love it... I promise."

Her words tumbled with excitement as she led him to the table, explaining the dishes, her smile too wide, too earnest.

Then Sophia appeared from the hallway.

For the first time in months, she looked at him fully... not as a shadow of memory, but as the man he had become. Her breath caught. This wasn’t the Alex she had broken. He was more handsome, more dangerous, his confidence radiating in ways that made her pulse race.

Her mind betrayed her, flicking back to that night on the balcony... the first moment she’d seen him without knowing it was him. The broad chest, the cut muscles, the brazen size of him that had made her body flush with heat before shame had strangled her.

She masked the flicker of desire quickly, tightening her jaw, and stepped closer.

"Hello, Alex," she said softly.

Her voice faltered, then steadied as she looked him in the eye. "Please forgive me. I know I don’t deserve your kindness, but I want you to know I am sorry. I was cruel. Heartless. The guilt hasn’t left me for even a day. I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I needed to say it."

Alex’s gaze lingered on her face, watching every shift, every hidden twitch. He saw it... the act, the calculation beneath her words. Still, his lips curved faintly, a mask of his own.

"There’s no need," he said smoothly. "You’ve understood... that’s enough. I’ll forgive you, for Victoria’s sake."

Victoria’s chest lifted with relief, tears glinting at the corners of her eyes. She clasped her hands together. "Then let’s eat, all of us. As a family."

Dinner passed in warm conversation, Victoria serving them with glowing energy, urging them to try this dish or that, her happiness filling the air.

Even Sophia played her role, polite and measured, though her eyes flickered toward Alex too often, betraying a storm only he noticed.

When the plates were cleared, Victoria hesitated, then spoke with gentle urgency.

"Alex... please stay tonight."

His reply came without pause, though his gaze slid toward Sophia. "I will. But with your daughter here... you understand what that means."

Victoria’s hand found his wrist, her tone unwavering. "She has no problem with us being together. You don’t have to worry."