Chapter 48
Smiling to myself, I kept brushing my daughter's hair as she sat in front of me, her back to mine. She sang a song from her music class, her small voice echoing softly in the room, while I listened. We were still at it when my phone rang.
I raised a brow, reaching for it to see an unfamiliar number. With a sigh, I slid my finger across the screen. "Hi, Sloane Duvall speaking. How may I help you?"
Dione stopped singing, suddenly still as if to avoid making any noise.
"Ms. Duvall, this is Aurora DeLacroix."
The sound of her voice made me freeze. My eyes flicked to Dione's back as I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. "Oh," I tried to fake a laugh. "How may I help you, Ms. DeLacroix?"
At the mention of her surname, Dione's head snapped toward me, eyes widening. I gave her a warning look and pressed my index finger to my lips, shushing her. "And... it's kind of late for you to be calling, isn't it?"
My gaze went back to Dione, who was now grinning from ear to ear as if she could hear every word. With a soft sigh, I switched the call to loudspeaker.
"Ah, right." Aurora chuckled faintly on the other end. "I'm sorry for calling so late, and thank you for picking up. Actually..."
Dione leaned closer, her smile still plastered on her face. I couldn't help raising a brow at her. Just how much did she like Aurora, anyway?
"I've signed the terms document you sent," Aurora continued. "I want you to know that I'm accepting it."
Her words made me freeze. I looked from the screen to Dione, then back again. I must have stayed silent too long because her voice came again, softer this time. "Sol? Are you still there?"
"Yes...
" I murmured, almost a whisper, as my eyes met my daughter's eager face.
"Well, I didn't expect you to accept so quickly.
It hasn't even been a day, Ro." I laughed lowly, my face heating as Dione gestured with her fingers—asking if I was getting back with Aurora.
I rolled my eyes at her and gave another warning look.
"But I guess you couldn't really say no since you needed the money, right? "
A hum on the other line. "Well... yeah. Sort of. So, I guess I'll see you at the next board meeting? I'll send you the details so you can prepare. Let me know if it conflicts with your schedule."
Dione covered her mouth, trying not to squeal. I widened my eyes at her, pressing my index finger to my lips once again. "Oh, it's fine. I'll free up my schedule for the board meeting. Just send me the details once you've finalized them."
"Alright, that's all I wanted to say. And... uh... thank you for offering your help."
I hummed. "Sure thing. If that's all, I'm hanging up."
"Wait, Sol—" But before she could finish, my thumb hit the end button. I blinked at the screen. What was she about to say, anyway?
"Mommy."
I locked my phone and set it aside. "What is it, sweetheart?"
"DeLacroix... that's... that's her?" she asked, eyes flickering with excitement.
Nodding, I offered a faint smile and leaned back against the headboard, patting the space between my thighs. "Come here," I urged. Dione scooted over, leaning sideways against my chest. "Didn't you say you wanted me to get married?"
She hummed and nodded. "But only if it's with her, Mommy," she said clearly.
I chuckled, glancing at the ceiling as I stroked her long black hair. "Of course. You've said it a million times, sweetheart."
Yet even as I spoke, something inside me tugged—an old fear I couldn't shake. What would her reaction be if she found out we had a daughter? After all, twelve years ago, she made it clear she didn't want me.
"I'm planning to marry her," I murmured, barely above a whisper. "Your other mother, Dione."
Dione straightened, eyes wide. "Really?!" she beamed. "Did she... did she agree?"
I looked at my daughter's face—the same face as Aurora's—and scoffed softly, my breath catching.
"Yeah..." I swallowed hard. "But only because she needs help with her company.
Not because she loves me. But hey," I tilted my head, trying to tease.
"You didn't say love was a requirement, right? "
Dione frowned, crossing her arms. "But Mommy... don't you still love her?"
Her words stopped me cold. I blinked, startled. "Where did you even get that?"
"Because if you don't... then why keep all your pictures together from before I was born?" she shrugged, sliding off my lap to lie beside me. "You love her, Mommy. I can see it. Because if you didn't... why would you always watch the news about her?"
Her words struck something inside me, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.
I let out a shaky laugh, but no words came.
Deep down, some part of me still hoped—hoped I could bring Aurora back into my life, even if it meant by force.
Keep her caged with me, not with anyone else.
With a sigh, I stood, stretching my arms overhead. "You're talking nonsense, sweetheart," I muttered, bending down to kiss her forehead. "Why don't you go ahead and sleep, hmm? Uncle Soeren will bring you back to Paris tomorrow."
"Mommy, when you get married, will I be able to attend?" she asked softly.
Her question made me pause. I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "The thing is... I'm planning to tell her when our marriage reaches one year, sweetie. But since you'll be at boarding school for the school year, I'll send you photos, okay?"
Dione pouted, sighing. "Well... I hope when she sees me, she'll like me. Do you think she'll like me, Mommy?"
I pressed my lips into a thin line, nodding though hesitant.
"Of course, sweetie. Who wouldn't like my pretty daughter?
" I smiled, tickling her before kissing her forehead again.
"Let Mommy take this one step at a time, alright?
In the end, she'll know you exist. She'll know you're hers too. "
"Promise?" Dione extended her pinky finger.
I hooked it with mine. "That's a promise, sweetheart. Now, go to sleep. I love you."
"I love you too, Mommy. Goodnight."
I smiled, dimming the lights before stepping out of her room. Closing the door softly behind me, I leaned back against the frame, laughing bitterly under my breath. "I don't know how to tell you that we have a child, Ro... I don't know how you'd react."
?·???°???°???·?
Walking beside Aurora felt like we were a powerhouse couple. Employees stepped aside, bowing as we made our way to the conference room. Aurora stopped at a door, opened it, and held it for me.
She gestured me in. I gave a small nod and stepped inside. The directors were already waiting. Aurora closed the door and led me toward the head of the table.
"Everyone," Aurora said, placing her laptop and portfolio down, "let's welcome Ms. Sloane Duvall, founder of Duvall Capital Group."
The room rose to greet me with polite bows. I returned the courtesy with a subtle nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Sloane Duvall."
Aurora pulled out a chair for me. "Thanks," I murmured, setting my handbag behind me as I sat. She took the seat at my right—head of the table, as expected.
Her tone shifted as she addressed the room.
"I've called this meeting to be transparent about the partnership between Duvall Capital Group and DeLacroix Couture Luxury House.
With our company facing embezzlement scandals and bankruptcy threats, Duvall Capital Group has agreed to step in, stabilizing our position and restoring investor confidence. "
I nodded along, my eyes never leaving her. She had changed. Her presence was colder, sharper—calculated distance wrapped in elegance.
Connecting her laptop to the large screen, Aurora stood and lifted a laser pointer. "As you can see, Duvall Capital Group will acquire fifty percent of the shares by covering investor withdrawals and financial losses."
The directors murmured—unrest simmering at the idea. They weren't wrong. It was a reckless gamble on her part. One that handed me the perfect leverage. I could topple her if I wanted. But where was the fun in that?
Aurora continued, steady.
"I will retain my position as CEO and remain the primary owner.
However, Duvall Capital Group, as a fifty-percent shareholder, will have a permanent seat on the board with irrevocable voting rights.
Controlling interest will rest with the majority stakeholders—Duvall Capital Group. "
A hand went up. Aurora nodded toward him.
"Won't that be an issue later? Duvall Capital Group could easily revoke your position and replace you with someone from their team."
I smirked to myself. Smart man. Just not smart enough.
Aurora's voice was calm. "As per my agreement with Ms. Duvall," she gestured toward me, "I will remain CEO and owner. It won't change unless both parties agree. Besides—"
She hesitated, eyes flicking to me as I stood and crossed to her side.
Leaning down, she whispered, "Are you sure you want to announce this here?"
I bent close enough for only her to hear. "You know, if you want to back down... sorry, not sorry, you can't." I straightened, turning to the board.
There was no way in hell I was letting her slip free. Once this was finalized, she'd have nowhere to run but back to me.
"After all," I said lightly, "what's there to hide when the public will soon know we're getting married?"
Aurora exhaled a quiet sigh and nodded. "Fine. Make the announcement yourself."
Her hand brushed my waist—an anchor, or maybe a warning—before urging me forward.
I smiled at the board. "Hello, everyone. I'm Sloane Duvall, founder and CEO of the Duvall Capital Group. As you may know, Ms. Aurora DeLacroix and I have signed an agreement whereby Duvall Capital Group will cover the company's losses and prevent bankruptcy."
My eyes found Aurora, and for a moment, I let my smile soften before I turned back to them. Then, deliberately, I took her hand, interlacing our fingers, raising them for everyone to see.
"What you may not know," I continued, "is that Ro and I will be getting married. This venture is not just strategic—it's personal. A true partnership, in business and in life."
Gasps and whispers rippled through the room. I lowered our hands, releasing hers, though the ghost of her touch lingered.
"In fact," I added with a smirk, "Ro and I were once an old flame, twelve years ago. For some reason, she ended things between us, leaving me on my own. But perhaps now is the time to rekindle what we had, don't you think?"
Aurora's face flushed. She cleared her throat, nodding faintly. "Y-yes," she murmured, just for me.
I turned back to the directors. "We ask for your cooperation and support—not only for the wedding but also for this joint venture. We'll be holding a press conference soon to solidify public trust and attract new investors."
The board exchanged glances, heads nodding slowly.
One director raised a final concern. "If this partnership goes through, will there be no more layoffs? That would reassure our employees."
Aurora stepped forward, regaining her poise. "Yes. There will be no further layoffs. Ms. Duvall and I will finalize our plans and update you shortly."
Most of the directors looked delighted, already murmuring with relief that the company would be saved—stability at last. It was exactly the kind of positive feedback I needed to launch the rest of my plans.
When the meeting ended, Aurora and I let the directors file out first. The room grew quiet, heavy with the echo of what had just been announced.
I leaned back against the edge of the table, watching her gather her things.
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I extended a hand toward her.
She glanced at it, puzzled, before shaking it. "Congratulations on securing your company's future," I murmured, letting my hand linger on hers for a heartbeat before releasing it.
Her warmth... God, how long had it been since I felt her this close? The thought made something inside me ache, but the memory of her walking away—leaving me behind—rose just as fast and crushed it.
"Thank you, Sol." She looked up at me, her eyes full of gratitude. Real gratitude. "I couldn't have done it without you."
I scoffed, masking the small flutter in my chest. "It's business," I said flatly, turning my eyes to the screen. "I help companies avoid bankruptcy."
She nodded slowly, still looking at me. "Right... if you're free, would you mind having lunch with me? If it's not too much of your time."
Her question almost made me laugh. I tilted my head, smirking. "What's this, Ro?" I circled my finger in the air, looking her up and down. "Trying to play the doting fiancée now that we've announced we're getting married?"
Once upon a time, I'd fallen for her antics. Not anymore.
She rubbed the back of her neck, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "Not exactly... I just wanted to treat you. You're the reason my company didn't crash."
I straightened and stepped closer. She instinctively took a step back. My brow arched. I studied her face—searched it—for a flicker of truth. If she could just admit she needed me, only me... maybe things would be different.
But there was nothing in her eyes.
A sharp sigh escaped me. "You don't need to treat me. This is a strategic investment. Stop pretending you care, because we both know you don't. I'm leaving."
I turned, but her voice stopped me cold. "Wouldn't you want to know why I broke up with you twelve years ago, Sol?"
Slowly, I pivoted back toward her. The knot in my throat tightened. In two strides, I was on her, grabbing her collar and yanking her close until our faces were inches apart.
"Oh? Should I?" My lips twitched with irritation. "Because I remember every fucking word you said twelve years ago, Aurora."
Her voice from back then rang in my ears. How easily she'd thrown me away. How she'd left me alone—and pregnant.
"Then..." her voice trembled, "can I correct my past mistakes, Sol? Since we're getting married... can I have another chance?"
Another chance. She was asking for another chance—not because she loved me, but because she was desperate.
My fingers froze on her collar. With all my strength, I shoved her back. She stumbled, nearly falling. I blinked, scoffing as she caught herself.
"What now? Are you so weak because you're losing your empire? Stop this madness, Aurora."
She didn't deserve another chance. Not after leaving me at my lowest. If she wanted to know what helpless felt like, I'd show her.
I grabbed my handbag and strode toward the door.
Halfway there, I stopped and looked back over my shoulder.
"Prepare yourself. I'll schedule the prenup with my lawyer.
We'll plan the pre-wedding photoshoot and engagement party.
I'll call you when the schedules are finalized. "
I didn't wait for her reply. I yanked the door open and walked out, shutting it behind me.
My vision blurred as I blinked rapidly, my chest rising and falling. You have no idea how hard I dealt with everything you did to me, Aurora. And now you dare to ask for another chance? You must be joking.