Chapter 50
Theo and Daphne
Tina entered Theo's office with hesitant footsteps, her soft-soled shoes barely making a sound against the polished floor. She clutched a clipboard to her chest like a shield, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of the paper. Her round glasses had slid slightly down her nose, and she pushed them up with a delicate touch, avoiding Theo's intense gaze as much as possible.
"Um, Mr. Silvano," she began, her voice quiet but steady, though there was a faint tremor that betrayed her nervousness. She cleared her throat softly, her eyes flicking to his for a split second before darting to a spot just over his shoulder. "Ms. Dashwood wanted me to let you know that she went to speak with Jason in accounting. In case... in case you were looking for her."
Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she delivered the message, and she stepped back slightly, as if unsure whether she was intruding. Her slim frame seemed to fold into itself, and she bit her bottom lip, waiting for his reaction.
Theo raised a brow, leaning back in his chair with a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He chuckled softly, the sound making Tina jump just slightly.
"Of course, she did," he muttered, half to himself, his voice tinged with amusement.
Tina blinked at him, then glanced at the floor, as though debating whether to say anything else. "Sh-should I... let her know you're aware, or...?"
Theo waved a hand dismissively, his smirk deepening. "No need, Tina, Thank you. I'll handle it."
She nodded quickly, the motion a little jerky, and offered a shy, "O-okay, Mr. Silvano." As she turned to leave, she hesitated at the door, peeking back over her shoulder. "If... if you need anything else, just let me know."
Theo paused and then leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the desk as he fixed Tina with a steady, commanding gaze. His tone was calmer, yet firm.
"I need you to do me a favor, Tina," he began, his voice low and deliberate.
"Yes, sir," Tina nodded, getting her pen ready to take notes.
"I need you to make sure Daphne takes her lunch breaks," Theo said. "No excuses, no skipping. Understood?"
Tina nodded, clutching her clipboard a little tighter. "Yes, Mr. Silvano."
"And another thing," Theo continued. "I want you to order her lunch every day. Something balancedânothing too heavy, but nothing she can push around on her plate and pretend she ate. A chicken Caesar salad, maybe. Or a grilled salmon bowl. Include something sweet, like a small fruit tart, but no substitutions."
He paused, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he added, "And I want you to report back to me if she doesn't eat it. Every detail. Don't let her throw it away or claim she's not hungry."
Tina nodded quickly, her head bobbing in a slightly jerky motion. Her lips parted as if to speak, but she seemed to think better of it, "Okay, Mr. Silvano. I'll take care of it."
Theo leaned back in his chair, satisfied. He gave her a curt nod, already reaching for a file on his desk. "That's all. Thank you, Tina."
"Thank you," With that, Tina slipped out of the office, her quick steps echoing down the hall.
Theo exhaled slowly, his lips pressing into a thin line. He sat back in his leather chair, the reports in front of him untouched as his thoughts drifted to Daphne. The corner of his mouth tugged upward in a sly smile. She knew exactly what she was doing by going to see Jasonâit was a calculated move meant to rattle him, and it was working. Amused, he tapped a pen against the desk, his mind buzzing with ways to turn the tables.
Unable to resist the urge, Theo reached for his phone and dialed Jason's office. The line rang twice before Jason's brisk voice answered, "Jason Carson, speaking."
"Ah, Jason," Theo drawled, his voice dripping with mock warmth. "I trust everything's running smoothly on your end? I have a meeting in about an hour, but I would like to squeeze in your yearly review before lunch today."
There was a slight pause on the other end, followed by the faintest clearing of Jason's throat. "I wasn't aware my review was due this soon," Jason replied cautiously.
"Well," Theo said, leaning back in his chair, his tone casual but loaded with intent, "I like to keep people on their toes. Never know when I might stop by for a... surprise evaluation."
Before Jason could stammer out a reply, Theo heard a familiar voice in the background.
"Give me that," Daphne said, and the sound of a phone being snatched away followed.
"Theodore," Daphne's voice came through loud and clear, her tone dripping with sass. "Are you serious right now? What's the matter with you, did you miss me already?"
Theo chuckled, his amusement deepening. "Just checking in on company operations, sunshine."
"Oh, please," she shot back. "You're just bored and couldn't resist the chance to stir up trouble. Let me guessâyou've been sitting at your desk, thinking about me all morning."
Theo smirked, his tone lowering. "You knew the answer to that question when you marched into Jason's office, didn't you?"
Daphne huffed on the other end, "Please, don't let me keep you from your very important work, Mr. Silvano."
"Likewise, Ms. Dashwood," Theo said smoothly. "Don't give Jason too much grief. That's my job."
"Goodbye, Theodore."
"Goodbye, Daphne," Theo replied, his voice rich with amusement as he ended the call.
Leaning back in his chair, Theo shook his head, still grinning. Daphne had the uncanny ability to derail his focus and make him enjoy every second of it. A soft chuckle escaped Theo's lips as he thought about her boldness earlier with Jason, and for a moment, the world outside of that memory didn't exist.
However, the click of heels on the hardwood floor jolted him back. Theo glanced up to see his mother stepping into the office. She looked as polished as ever, her tailored suit pristine and her hair styled to perfection. She carried herself with the composed grace of someone who had spent a lifetime navigating high society.
"Good morning, my love," she said, her voice smooth and pleasant, though he could hear the subtle undertone of caution.
Theo's good mood evaporated instantly, like a drop of water on a hot stove. The lightness he had felt moments ago was replaced by a weight in his chest, the familiar sting of betrayal tightening his jaw.
"Morning," he replied flatly, his tone devoid of the warmth he had been carrying only seconds ago.
Daisy took a step closer, her sharp eyes scanning him as if trying to gauge his mood. "You seem... preoccupied. Something on your mind?"
Theo leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening. "Nothing you'd be interested in, I'm sure."
Daisy's lips tightened for a brief moment, but she recovered quickly, offering a measured smile. "I just wanted to check in, see how things are going."
He folded his arms across his chest, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Things are going fine. Thanks for asking."
"Where's Daphne?"
"Out."
"I see."
The silence that followed was thick. Theo's mind flashed back to the words that had turned his world upside downâthe truth about his father that Daisy had kept hidden for years. Every time he looked at her now, all he could see was the lie, the betrayal, and the cracks it had left in his foundation.
Daisy lingered for a moment longer, as if considering whether to push the conversation further.
"Was there something esle?" Theo arched his brow.
"Yes," Daisy sighed. "I want to talk to you about Daphne....... About what she said to you in Aspen."
Theo's irritation and the pressure inside his chest flared, "I don't want to talk about this right now." He said, slowly rising from hsi seat. "I have a meeting to attend."
"Do you love her?" Daisy asked, stopping her son.
Theo paused mid stride. His eyes flickered toward his mother, his gaze hard and guarded.
"How do you feel about her, Theo?" Daisy continued. "Because if you love her, don't be scared of anything."
Theo's voice was sharp, his words laced with frustration as he leveled a steely gaze at Daisy. "Where are you going with this conversation?" he demanded, his brows furrowing deeply. "My relationship with Daphne has nothing to do with you. You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Really?" Daisy countered, shaking her head slowly, her disappointment cutting through the air like a blade. "Were you ever going to tell me that you two broke up?"
Theo's jaw tightened, his chest constricting as anger flared. The sharp retort was already on his tongue, but something deeperâsomething rawâpushed past his control.
"Were you ever going to tell me about Eric Anderson?"
The words landed like a thunderclap.
Daisy froze, her polished composure crumbling in an instant. All the color drained from her face as a faint gasp escaped her lips. She seemed to shrink under the weight of his accusation, her wide eyes brimming with disbelief as her skin turned ashen.
Theo's throat tightened, his emotions choking him as he forced the words out. "I know."
The sheer vulnerability in Daisy's gaze struck him like a blow, tugging at something buried deep in his chest. For a fleeting moment, he waveredâbut then he pushed it away, steeling himself against the chaos swirling inside him.
"Howâ" Daisy whispered, her voice cracking under the strain of her shock.
"Doesn't matter," Theo cut her off coldly, his tone unyielding.
"It does," she argued, her voice rising as she fought to find her footing, to rebuild her shattered composure. "You don't understand. You don't know everything that happenedâ"
"And whose fault is that?" Theo snapped the venom in his tone silencing her.
The air between them felt suffocating, heavy with years of lies and unsaid truths. Theo's chest heaved as he struggled to keep his emotions in check, the betrayal festering beneath his anger like an open wound. Daisy opened her mouth as if to respond, but no words came.
For the first time in his life, Theo saw her not as the untouchable, poised matriarch, but as a fragile, flawed womanâa stranger who had unraveled the very foundation of his world. And he wasn't sure he could ever forgive her for it.
Daisy's voice trembled as she took a hesitant step forward. "Theo, wait. Please, let me explain," she pleaded, her tone softer, almost desperate.
Theo didn't meet her eyes. His jaw clenched, and his hands curled into fists at his sides as he stared at the floor. Her words, her presenceâeverything about her in that momentâfelt suffocating. He exhaled sharply, his head shaking ever so slightly.
"What can you possible say?" he said, his voice low and tight, barely concealing the storm of emotions swirling inside him.
"But you don't understand," Daisy insisted, her tone growing more urgent. "You don't have the full storyâ"
"I've heard enough." Theo's voice cut through the air like a whip as he finally looked up, his gaze hard and unyielding. "There's nothing you can say that will change what you did."
The words hung between them, heavy and final. Daisy's shoulders slumped, and for a moment, she looked as though she might reach for him, but Theo was already moving.
He brushed past her without another word, his long strides carrying him to the door. As he pulled it open, he paused only briefly, his voice sharp and controlled as he called out into the hallway.
"Brad," Theo said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Brad appeared immediately, "Yes, Mr. Silvano?"
"Cancel all my meetings for the day," Theo ordered, his voice curt. "I'm done."
Brad blinked, momentarily taken aback by the edge in Theo's tone, but he nodded quickly. "Understood."
Without sparing another glance at Daisy or waiting for her to speak again, Theo stepped out of the office, letting the door click shut behind him. His footsteps echoed down the corridor, each one heavy with the weight of his anger and betrayal.
_______________________
Mason and Wendy
The cabin of the business class section hummed softly with the steady noise of the plane's engines. Lily was curled up in her oversized seat, a plush blanket draped over her legs and her head resting against the cushioned divider. Her soft breathing blended with the calm atmosphere as she drifted into a deep sleep, oblivious to the world around her.
Wendy sat in the middle seat, a mix of boredom and annoyance etched on her face as her gaze shifted between the in-flight movie and Mason, who occupied the aisle seat. Mason, with his effortless charm and a crooked smile, leaned slightly forward, his elbow resting on the armrest as he chatted animatedly with the flight attendant. She laughed lightly at something he said, her cheeks flushed and her hand brushing the edge of her uniform nervously.
Wendy felt a strange twist in her chest, a flare of irritation. She tried to ignore it, focusing on the half-finished glass of sparkling water on her tray, but her eyes kept darting back to Mason. The way his grin widened at the attendant's response and the relaxed tilt of his head made Wendy's stomach churn in a way she didn't want to acknowledge.
The seatbelt sign blinked on, and the attendant gave a polite nod to Mason before moving down the aisle. Wendy glanced at Lily, still peacefully asleep, and then at Mason, who leaned back with a satisfied smirk, his attention now on the tablet in his lap.
"Making friends, are we?" Wendy muttered.
Mason raised an eyebrow and shot her a knowing look. "Jealous, honey?" he teased, his tone playful.
Wendy scoffed, rolling her eyes and reaching for her water. "Hardly. I just feel bad for her. She has no idea you're all talk."
Mason chuckled, leaning slightly closer. "Ouch. You wound me."
"You are such a shameless flirt? You'll just flirt with anyone and everyone, won't you?" Wendy asked, shaking her head. "And here I thought I special."
"You are," Mason smirked, holding her gaze for a second before shrugging. "Besides, the search is always on for the love of my life. Who knows when I will bump into wifey."
"Wifey?" Wendy scrunched up her nose. "Ew."
Mason leaned back in his seat, a smug smile tugging at his lips as he watched Wendy's expression twist in mild disdain. "What's gross about wanting to find my soulmate?" he asked, feigning offense but clearly enjoying her reaction.
Wendy set her glass of water down with a clink, tilting her head to look at him. "Soulmate? You can't be serious. That's not a thing. You just like the idea of love because it sounds nice. But real life isn't like that."
Mason's smile softened, the teasing glint in his eyes giving way to something more sincere. "I actually am serious," he said. "I think true love is real. Like, someone out there who's just... meant for you. And I want to find her. Sooner rather than later."
Wendy blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected shift in his tone. She leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. "That's... kind of sad," she said bluntly, though her voice lacked the usual bite.
"Why?" Mason asked, frowning.
"Because love doesn't work like that," Wendy said. "People don't stay in love. They grow bored, or they fight, or they cheat. You're setting yourself up for disappointment."
Mason's gaze stayed on her, unflinching. "You really don't believe in love, do you?" he asked quietly, as if he were trying to figure her out.
"Not the fairytale version you're peddling," Wendy replied, her voice firm. "And happy marriages? They're just good PR for people who are too scared to admit they settled."
Mason sighed, shaking his head. "That's pretty bleak, firecracker," he said, his tone tinged with sadness.
"Maybe. But it's realistic."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Wendy turned her attention to the window, the dark sky stretching endlessly beyond the glass, while Mason tapped his fingers on the armrest, lost in thought.
"You know," he said after a pause, his voice softer, "it's okay to hope for something good. Not everything has to be a disaster waiting to happen."
Wendy glanced at him, her lips twitching into a faint smirk. "And it's okay to live in the real world. Not everyone gets a 'happily ever after.'"
Mason chuckled, his easygoing demeanor returning. "Maybe not. But I'm still going to try. You can laugh at me all you want, but I'm not giving up on love."
Wendy shook her head. "Good luck with that," she muttered, but her tone lacked its usual sarcasm.
________________________
Theo
Theo sat in his dimly lit living room, the manila envelope resting heavily on the coffee table before him. The DNA test results were inside like a silent verdict. His mother's reaction should have been all the proof he needed. But a small part of him still prayed or hoped that it was all a big lie.
Theo's foot tapped incessantly against the hardwood floor, the rhythm betraying his mounting anxiety. The ticking clock on the wall seemed to mock him, each second stretching longer than the last.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, rubbing his palms together as if trying to warm his resolve. His chest felt tight, a storm of emotions swirling inside himâfear, hope, angerâall clawing for dominance. Theo's jaw tightened as he reached for the envelope, his fingers trembling slightly. He hesitated, his mind racing through every possible outcome.
With a sharp breath, he tore the envelope open, his heart pounding in his ears. The papers felt heavy in his hands, though they were just thin sheets. His eyes scanned the document. And then he saw it, clear and undeniable:
Probability of Paternity: 0%.
For a moment, Theo couldn't move. The room seemed to spin around him as the words echoed in his mind. Luca wasn't his father. He wasn't.
The words hit him like a punch to the gut, stealing his breath. His hand clenched the paper, crumpling the edge as a wave of anger surged through him. His jaw clenched so tightly it ached, and his other hand gripped the armrest of the chair as though anchoring himself.
Heartbreak seeped into his chest, heavy and suffocating. He felt untethered, like a ship lost at sea without a compass. The man who had shaped so much of his life, who had been both a shadow and a figurehead in his mind, was now a stranger. Theo's throat tightened, and he swallowed hard, fighting back the sting of tears that threatened to fall.
He leaned back against the chair, his head falling against the cushion as he stared blankly at the ceiling. The anger simmered beneath his skin, a hot, restless energy that begged for release. He wanted to yell, to throw something, to demand answers from a world that felt cruel and unjust. But above all, he felt lost.
Theo's hand fell to his lap, the paper fluttering to the floor. The silence of the room was deafening, pressing down on him as he sat there, broken and adrift in the weight of a truth he wasn't sure he was ready to face.
___________________
Daisy and Luca
Luca stepped into the house, the soft fragrance of lilies wafting from the bouquet in his hand. Theglow from the street lamps filtered through the windows, casting golden hues across the walls. He glanced around, his brows furrowing when he didn't find Daisy in the kitchen or the living room.
"Daisy?" he called, his voice gentle but carrying an edge of concern.
The house was eerily quiet, save for the faint creak of a floorboard upstairs. Following the sound, Luca made his way to the study. The door was slightly ajar, and as he pushed it open, he froze.
Daisy was seated in her favorite chair. Tears glistened in her eyes, and her face was pale, almost ashen. She looked up at him, startled by his presence, her breath hitching as if she had been caught in a moment of vulnerability.
"Sunshine," Luca breathed, rushing to her side. He set the lilies down on the desk, their vibrant petals a stark contrast to the somber air of the room. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?" His hands hovered over hers, desperate to comfort but unsure of what had caused her distress.
Daisy shook her head, her lips trembling. "He knows," she whispered.
"What?" Luca asked in confusion. "What happened?" His panic grew as he knelt before her, searching her face for answers.
She met his gaze, and the weight of her next words seemed to sap the remaining color from her cheeks. "Theo knows about Eric," she said, her voice barely audible.
Luca's heart stopped for a moment, the words hanging in the air like a thundercloud. His mind raced, trying to grasp the implications. He reached for her hands, squeezing them firmly. "What do you mean he knows? What truth?"
Daisy's breath hitched again, her tears spilling over. "Yes...."
The bouquet of lilies lay forgotten on the desk as the weight of her revelation pressed down on them both, the room falling into a tense, suffocating silence.
______________________
Daphne
Daphne stood in her living room, the warm glow of her floor lamp casting soft, golden light over her small jungle of plants. She gently misted the leaves of her fiddle-leaf fig, her fingers brushing over the delicate fronds of a fern nearby. The faint scent of soil and fresh greenery filled the air, a grounding comfort in her quiet space.
But a sudden knock at the door interrupted her tranquil routine. Daphne paused, the watering can still in her hand, her brow furrowing in curiosity.
It was late, too late for visitors. Setting the can down on the windowsill, she crossed the room, her bare feet silent against the wooden floor. When she opened the door, the sight before her made her breath catch.
Theo stood there, shivering in the cold night air. He wore no coat, only a thin sweater that clung to his broad frame. His hair was disheveled, strands sticking up as if he'd run his hands through it a thousand times. His eyes were red and heavy with exhaustion. His usually sharp, commanding presence seemed to have crumbled, leaving him looking lost and vulnerable.
For a moment, he said nothing, his lips slightly parted as though he wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. His gaze met hers, searching, pleading silently for something she couldn't yet decipher.
"Theo?" Daphne's voice was soft, tinged with disbelief. Her hand tightened on the doorframe as she tried to process the man standing in front of her. "What... what are you doing here?"
Theo shifted, his shoulders sagging as if the night had drained him of everything he had. "I didn't know where else to go," he said, his voice hoarse, barely audible over the quiet hum of the city behind him.
Daphne's heart clenched, the sight of himâso undoneâigniting a mix of worry and tenderness within her. Without another word, she stepped aside, ushering him into the warmth of her home.
As soon as Daphne closed the door and turned to face him, Theo moved. He crossed the small space between them in a single step, his arms wrapping around her tightly. The suddenness of it startled her, and for a moment, she froze. His hold was firm, almost crushing, as though he were clinging to her for stability, for something solid in a world that had unraveled beneath him.
"Theo," she whispered, her voice shaky with concern. Her hands hovered uncertainly before they rested lightly on his back, her palms feeling the shivers wracking his body as she moved her hand up to his hair. He buried his face in the curve of her neck, his breath warm against her skin but uneven, as though he were fighting to keep himself together.
Daphne's heart raced, her mind a whirlwind of questions. What had happened to him? Why was he here, so unguarded, so broken? She had never seen him like this, and the sight of his vulnerability felt both terrifying and overwhelming. She could feel the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers gripped her as if she might vanish if he let go.
"It's okay," she murmured, though she wasn't sure it was. Her own voice wavered under the weight of his silence, the sheer intensity of his presence in her arms. "You're safe here. I'm here, baby."
But even as she said the words, a knot of stress twisted in her chest. Theo wasn't the kind of man who unraveled. He was always in control, always the one others turned to for strength. To see him like thisâto feel his raw, unspoken painâleft her unsure of what to do, of what he needed from her.
Her apartment, once her sanctuary, now felt unbearably small, filled with the heaviness of his emotions. She tightened her arms around him, trying to offer what little comfort she could, even as her mind raced for answers.
"I'm here," she repeated again and again. "I'm here, baby."
Oh, sweet baby boy :(