CHAPTER 3 EVELINE’S UNWELCOME DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
Seraphina had learned that Eveline Armand never needed to say I don't like you.
She had other ways of making it clear.
A pause before greeting her.
A glance at her clothes.
A correction delivered with a smile.
A reminder that the Armand name belonged to people who had earned it.
That morning, the message came in the form of an invitation.
Seraphina found it waiting on the breakfast table.
A cream-colored card embossed with the Armand family crest.
She opened it.
Sunday Family Luncheon — Armand Estate
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
Lucien will be attending. Your presence is expected.
Seraphina stared at the words.
Not we would love to see you.
Not please come.
Expected.
She placed the invitation beside her plate.
The housekeeper approached.
"Mrs. Armand, Mrs. Armand Senior called earlier."
Seraphina looked up.
"She did?"
"She asked whether you received the invitation."
Seraphina almost smiled.
"Tell her I did."
The housekeeper nodded and left.
Twenty minutes later, Lucien came downstairs.
He looked immaculate in a navy suit, already checking messages on his phone.
Seraphina looked at him.
"Did your mother call you?"
"About what?"
"The luncheon."
Lucien glanced at the invitation.
"Yes. Sunday."
"You're going?"
"Of course."
Seraphina hesitated.
"She wrote that my presence is expected."
Lucien finally looked up.
"Don't take it personally."
Seraphina gave a small laugh.
"I don't think I have a choice."
He frowned.
"Seraphina."
"She doesn't want me there."
"My mother can be difficult."
"She has been difficult for three years."
Lucien put his phone down.
"She's my mother."
"I know."
"Then don't make me choose."
Seraphina stared at him.
"I didn't ask you to."
His expression softened slightly.
"Good."
He picked up his phone again.
Seraphina looked away.
That was Lucien's favorite solution.
Don't make me choose.
She had never asked him to choose between his mother and his wife.
She had only wanted him to defend her when his mother crossed a line.
Apparently, even that was too much.
Sunday arrived quickly.
The Armand estate was filled with relatives, family friends, and carefully selected guests.
Seraphina stepped from the car beside Lucien.
His hand rested briefly against her lower back.
For a moment, she felt reassured.
Then the doors opened.
Eveline stood waiting.
She kissed Lucien's cheek.
"My son."
"Mother."
Her eyes moved to Seraphina.
"Seraphina."
"Mrs. Armand."
Eveline's smile was thin.
"Still so formal after all these years."
Seraphina returned the smile.
"You prefer formality."
"Do I?"
"You've made that clear."
Lucien glanced between them.
"Can we not start?"
Eveline laughed softly.
"Of course. Come inside."
Seraphina followed them.
The luncheon began pleasantly enough.
Too pleasantly.
Eveline entertained guests with stories about Lucien's childhood, his achievements, his business empire.
Seraphina listened quietly.
Then one of the older women smiled at her.
"You must be proud of Lucien."
"I am."
"Did you ever work before marriage?"
Seraphina answered politely.
"I worked in publishing."
Eveline interrupted.
"Seraphina left that behind when she married Lucien."
The woman nodded.
"How fortunate."
Seraphina smiled.
"Yes."
Eveline lifted her glass.
"Marriage requires sacrifice."
Seraphina looked at her.
"From both people."
The table became quiet.
Lucien glanced at her.
Eveline smiled.
"Naturally."
But the tension remained.
Later, as dessert was served, Eveline leaned toward Seraphina.
"Come with me."
Seraphina followed her into the adjoining sitting room.
The moment the doors closed, Eveline's expression changed.
"You need to be more careful."
"About what?"
"Your attitude."
Seraphina crossed her arms.
"I haven't been disrespectful."
"You've been challenging."
"There's a difference."
Eveline stepped closer.
"You have never understood what it means to be an Armand."
Seraphina's voice remained calm.
"I understand perfectly."
"No, you don't."
Eveline looked her up and down.
"You married my son, but marriage doesn't automatically make you equal to him."
Seraphina felt the insult settle in her chest.
"Lucien has never said that."
"Lucien is too kind when it comes to you."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed.
"Is that what you think?"
"I know my son."
"And I know my husband."
Eveline smiled coldly.
"Do you?"
Before Seraphina could answer, the door opened.
Lucien stood there.
"What are you two doing?"
Eveline's expression instantly softened.
"Nothing, darling."
Seraphina looked at him.
She could tell him.
She could explain exactly what Eveline had said.
For once, she could demand that he take her side.
But then she remembered all the other times.
Every argument had ended the same way.
Mother didn't mean it.
You're misunderstanding her.
Please don't make this bigger.
So Seraphina simply said, "We're talking."
Lucien looked between them.
"About?"
"Family matters," Eveline said.
Seraphina said nothing.
Lucien seemed satisfied.
"All right."
He turned toward the dining room.
"Everyone is waiting."
Eveline followed him.
Seraphina remained behind for a moment.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
The woman staring back seemed calm.
Elegant.
Controlled.
But inside, something had shifted.
She had spent years hoping Eveline would eventually accept her.
She had attended every family gathering.
Remembered birthdays.
Sent flowers.
Visited when Eveline was ill.
She had tried everything.
And still, she was not enough.
The question was no longer whether Eveline would accept her.
The question was whether Lucien would ever stand beside her when his mother refused to.
When Seraphina returned to the dining room, Lucien reached for her hand beneath the table.
She looked at their intertwined fingers.
For a second, warmth returned.
Then Eveline began talking about an upcoming charity gala.
"Lucien should attend with someone who understands the Armand image."
Seraphina's hand went still.
Lucien said nothing.
Eveline smiled.
"I only mean that certain events require the right presentation."
Seraphina looked at her husband.
Waiting.
Lucien simply continued eating.
He didn't defend her.
He didn't object.
He didn't even look up.
Seraphina slowly withdrew her hand.
Lucien noticed.
His eyes met hers.
She smiled.
"Nothing."
But it wasn't nothing.
It was another small crack.
Another moment Lucien would forget.
Another moment Seraphina would remember.
And Eveline Armand, watching from across the table, seemed to understand something Lucien did not.
Seraphina was getting tired of being the only person fighting to belong.