53 Veiled Presence, Silent Vow


    ra’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 Ste Smith was engaged to Richard Hayes three years ago. Vivienne deshe wanted him, and within two months, Ste’s engagement was broken.”


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


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


    Julian frowned. “Is that why Ste isn’t here today? I thought herpany was showcasing their new software.<b>” </b>


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


    week, she ran into Vivienne and Damien Thorne at a restaurant. Words were exchanged, and now Ste’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, ncing 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. “Ste’s avoiding public appearances until the scandal dies down. The inte is brutal when Thorne Industries decides someone’s their enemy.”


    I knew that reality all too well.


    An hourter, Julian and I toured the exhibition alongside Yandel, <b>one </b>of our lead.


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    53 Veiled Presence, Silent Vow


    edatat


    developers. We paused at an impressive holographic disy 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.


    Damienmanded attention without effort. Dressed impably 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 nced 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<b>” </b>


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


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


    don’t think <b>so</b>.”


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


    “Why are you really avoiding him?” Julian pressed quietly while Yandel stepped away to examine another disy. “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 used 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 usations publicly…


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


    “He might, if provoked. My uncle’spany 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 usations lurking in my personnel file, ready to be weaponized.


    <b>“</b><b>That’s </b>ckmail, 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 <b>group</b>. 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


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


    No thanks,”


    Julian sighed but didn’t push further.


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


    She was dazzling, telling some story that had captivated her audience. Damien watched her with that subtle smile I’d once desperately hoped he’d direct at me. The intimacy between them was unmistakable, visible in how their bodies angled toward each other, how his hand rested casually at the small of her back.


    They looked like a couple. A real couple.


    The sight shouldn’t have hurt anymore, but it did not because I wanted Damien back, but because I’d never experienced that easy connection with him. Seven years of


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    <b>53 </b>Veiled Presence, Silent Vow


    marriage, and he’d never once looked at me the way he was looking at Vivienne now.


    “Dr. Vance?” A young woman approached with a tablet. “Your presentation space is ready whenever you’d like to set up.”


    <b>I </b>nodded gratefully, relieved for the distraction. “Thank you. We’ll head there now.”


    As we gathered our materials, I caught one final glimpse of Damien and Vivienne. They were speaking with the CEO of Nexus Technologies,pletely in their element. Damien’s hand had moved to Vivienne’s waist, his bodynguage protective and possessive.


    I looked away, focusing on the presentation ahead. Confronting Damien here would aplish nothing except possible public humiliation. If he chose to resurrect those old usations, my standing in the techmunity could be damaged just as I was rebuilding my reputation.


    Julian seemed to read my thoughts. “You’re right to avoid <b>him </b>today,” he conceded. “The presentation should be our focus.


    I nodded, grateful for his understanding. “I’m not afraid of Damien,” I rified. “I’m just not going to give him or Vivienne the satisfaction of creating a scene.”


    “Your uncle’s business, Julian remembered.


    “Yes.” My uncle had supported me through college when my parents couldn’t. His small tech consultancy depended heavily on Thorne Industries contracts. “I won’t risk his livelihood for my pride.”


    We headed toward our presentation area, my mind clearer with each step away from Damien. Let him and Vivienne have their moment in the spotlight. I had my own path now, separate from the Thorne name and influence.


    I wasn’t about to let a moment of anger cloud my judgment. The divorce proceedings were already in motion. Soon, I’d be legally free of Damien Thorne, and these careful calctions about when and where to interact with him would be unnecessary.


    For now, I would focus on what I could control – my work, my future, and the walls I was rebuilding around my heart. Walls that, this time, would keep Damien permanently <b>on </b>the outside.


    21:08