16 A Sessor’s Arrival, A Family Apart


    Morning sunlight streamed through the ssroom windows as Cora tugged at her


    mother’s hand. Her earlier smile had vanished, reced with a contemtive look that seemed too mature for her young face. 1


    ゼ


    “Mom, can you make my favorite pasta tonight?” she asked suddenly.


    ra’s heart swelled. After days of emotional distance, her daughter was finally reaching out. “Of course, sweetheart. I’ll pick up the ingredients on my way home.”


    Cora’s eyes brightened momentarily before clouding over. “Wait–I forgot. Aunt Vivi’spetition is tonight. Dad said we could watch it together.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Maybe another time?”


    The small spark of hope in ra’s chest flickered and died. She forced a smile, determined not to show her disappointment. “That’s fine. The pasta will keep for another day.”


    “Sorry,” Cora said, though her tonecked genuine remorse. “Dad said Aunt Vivi might


    win this time.”


    “I understand,” ra replied softly. “You should call me at lunchtime, okay?”


    Cora nodded, her attention already drifting toward her friends gathering inside the ssroom. “Sure, Mom.” With a quick peck on ra’s cheek, she bounded away,


    confidence restored as she entered her domain.


    ra watched her go, heart heavy as her daughter’s pigtails disappeared into the crowd of children. This was bing their pattern–moments of connection swiftly sacrificed on the altar of Vivienne’s priorities.


    The drive to Thorne Industries felt longer than usual. ra parked in her designated spot, noting that Damien’s space was empty. Probably with Vivienne, preparing for herpetition, she thought bitterly.


    The corporate lobby bustled with the usual morning activity. Employees nodded respectfully as she passed, though ra detected curiosity in their nces. News of her impending departure from thepany had spread quickly.


    03:41


    16 A Sessor’s Arrival, A Family Apart


    “Mrs. Thorne,” Marcus Cole, HR Director, approached with a professional smile. Beside him stood a young woman with perfectly styled chestnut hair and a designer suit that screamed ambition. “May I introduce Olivia Monroe? She’ll be shadowing you this week as part of the transition.”


    “Please, call me ra,” she said, extending her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Olivia.”


    Olivia’s handshake was firm, her smile practiced. “The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Thorne. Your reputation precedes you.”


    “Olivia graduated top of her ss at Crestwood College, Marcus added. “Shees highly rmended.”


    “Impressive,” ra replied, studying the younger woman. Beneath Olivia’s polished exterior, ra detected a calcting intelligence that reminded her ufortably of Vivienne. “Let’s head to my office. I’ll walk you through our current projects.”


    As they walked, Olivia’s eyes swept the corridor, taking in every detail. “Is Mr. Thorne in today?” she asked, her tone deliberately casual.


    “I’m not sure of his schedule,” ra answered, ignoring the familiar sting. Seven years of marriage, and she still had no idea of her husband’s whereabouts on most days.


    intment shed across Olivia’s face before her professional mask returned. “I


    g to meet him. His work in sustainable energy is revolutionary.”


    ached ra’s office–soon to be Olivia’s–and spent the morning reviewing otocols and pending tasks. Olivia proved sharp andpetent, absorbing information quickly and asking insightful questions. By noon, ra had covered most of the essential training.


    “Shall we break for lunch?” ra suggested, checking her watch. “Thepany cafeteria is quite good.”


    Olivia smiled. “I’d like that. It would give me a chance to observe thepany culture.”


    In the cafeteria, they settled at a corner table with their meals. ra pulled out her


    phone to call Cora, as promised.


    Olivia’s perfectly arched eyebrow rose slightly. “Checking in with the little one?”


    03:41 C


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    16 A Sessor’s Arrival, A Family Apart


    “Yes,” ra replied, dialing Cora’s number. “She asked me to call during her lunch period.”


    The call connected, but instead of Cora’s voice, ra heard background noise- ttering silverware, adult conversation, and Cora’s distinct giggle.


    “Hello? Cora?” ra said, raising her voice slightly.


    “Oh, Mom!” Cora finally responded, sounding distracted. “Sorry, I’m on video call with Dad and Aunt Vivi. They’re having lunch at that fancy ce with the fountains.”


    ra’s stomach knotted. “I thought you were at school.”


    “I am! Dad brought his tablet so I could see them,” Cora exined. “Aunt Vivi’s telling me about her racing strategy for tonight.”


    In the background, ra heard Vivienne’s melodicugh. “Your dad’s ordered my favorite dessert, sweetie. We’ll save you some forter.”


    “No fair!” Cora protested yfully. “I want chocte soufflé too!”


    Damien’s deep voice joined the conversation. “What would you like for dinner tonight, princess? I’ll have it prepared.”


    “Can I have pizza with extra cheese?” Cora asked excitedly.


    “Of course,” Damien replied, his tone indulgent. “Anything for my girl.”


    ra sat frozen, phone pressed to her ear, acutely aware of Olivia watching her with undisguised interest.


    “Mom, I gotta go,” Cora said abruptly. “Ms. Wilson says lunch is almost over. See youter!”


    The call ended before ra could respond. She slowly lowered her phone, feeling hollow.


    “Everything alright?” Olivia asked, her tone suggesting she had already guessed the


    answer.


    ra straightened her shoulders. “Yes, just family coordination. Now, about the quarterly reports—”


    03:41


    16 A Sessor’s Arrival, A Family Apart


    “You know,” Olivia interrupted, her voice dropping conspiratorially, “my mother always said that when a man can provide seamlessly, a woman should leverage that rather thanpete with it.”


    ra’s fork paused midway to her mouth. “I beg your pardon?”


    Olivia smiled, all innocence. “Just an observation. Mr. Thorne seems quite capable of managing things in your absence. That must be… reassuring”


    The implication hung in the air between them–that ra was receable not just in her professional role, but in her family as well.


    “The reports,” ra continued firmly, refusing to engage, “are due next Friday. You’ll need to coordinate with Finance to ensure all departments have submitted their data.”


    Olivia nodded, smoothly transitioning back to professional mode. “Of course. I’ve handled simr reporting structures in my previous internship.”


    As they finished lunch, ra couldn’t shake the memory of Cora’s excited voice discussing dinner ns with Damien–ns that once again excluded her. It was a painful reminder that while she was navigating her exit from one role at Thorne Industries, someone else was already filling her ce at home.


    Back in her office, ra found herself staring at the family photo on her desk—a reminder of happier times, or at least the illusion of them. She wondered if Olivia would ce her own photos here soon, erasing another trace of ra’s presence in the Thorne empire.


    Meanwhile, across town in an exclusive restaurant, Damien ended the call with Cora and turned his attention back to Vivienne,pletely unaware of the quiet devastation left in the wake of his casual dinner arrangements.


    03:41