Chapter 7 The Table Turns

The sound of heels struck the marble floor like a drumbeat. Slow. Deliberate.

Every head turned toward the doorway.

Vivienne Carter appeared as if she owned the night.

She wore a deep crimson dress that clung like liquid fire, her black hair swept into a glossy knot. A diamond pendant caught the chandelier light and sent it flashing across the room. She didn't rush. She let the silence stretch until it felt like a held breath.

"Apologies for the delay," she said, voice smooth as cream. "I had to change. The city air is dreadful tonight."

Her eyes landed on Aria, sharp and glittering. "Sister. What a surprise to see you so soon after the wedding. I thought married life would keep you too... occupied."

A few relatives chuckled nervously.

Aria set her spoon down with care. "Hello, Vivienne. You look... prepared for an audience."

Vivienne's smile widened, almost but not quite friendly. "An audience? Oh, I simply enjoy making an entrance. Mother, Father, I trust the dinner hasn't grown dull without me?"

Grace Carter gestured to the empty chair across from Aria. "We were just beginning. Join us."

Vivienne glided to her seat, her perfume sweet jasmine with a hint of smoke trailing behind her. She didn't sit right away. Instead, she leaned slightly toward Aria, voice low enough for only them to hear.

"So," she whispered, "how is the famously cold Mr. Cross? Does he even notice you're alive?"

Aria met her gaze without blinking. "He notices enough."

Vivienne tilted her head, a mock pout forming. "How... romantic." She straightened and spoke louder. "I must say, Damian Cross is a mystery. People whisper that he's all business and no heart. Tell us, Aria-do you ever get lonely in that big house?"

The question hung like a challenge.

Several relatives exchanged eager looks, waiting for a crack.

Aria let a heartbeat of silence pass, then smiled slightly. "The Cross estate is quiet. Peaceful. Some people thrive on noise. I prefer focus."

Vivienne's eyes narrowed just a fraction. "Focus. Interesting word for a bride."

She reached for a wineglass, swirling the red liquid until it mirrored the color of her dress. "You know," she said lightly, "I ran into Sophia Lin just yesterday. Such a sweet girl. She mentioned she and Damian have been working late together. Business, of course. But they do seem close."

The table stilled. Even Aria's father glanced up with curiosity.

Inside, Aria felt the old spark of fury memories of betrayal clawing at her.

But she only smoothed the napkin on her lap.

"How thoughtful of Sophia," Aria said calmly. "She's always been eager to help. Damian values efficiency."

Vivienne's eyebrows arched. "Efficiency. Another... interesting choice of words."

Aria leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle but carrying across the table. "You've always admired efficiency too, haven't you, Vivienne? Especially when it comes to getting what you want."

The air tightened. A cousin coughed to break the tension.

Vivienne's smile stayed in place, but her fingers gripped the stem of her glass a little too hard. "I suppose I do," she said at last. "It's a trait we share."

Aria's own smile held steady. "Perhaps. But some goals require patience as well."

For a moment, no one spoke. The chandelier hummed faintly above them, crystals trembling in the draft.

Then Vivienne laughed, a light, musical sound that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, dear sister, you've grown witty. Marriage must agree with you."

"Marriage teaches many things," Aria replied. "Perspective. Balance. Timing."

Another silence followed, thicker this time. Servants slipped in with the next course roast duck, fragrant with herbs breaking the spell only slightly.

Vivienne finally sat back, crossing her legs with deliberate grace. "Well," she said, her voice soft and sweet, "I do love a good family dinner. Don't you?"

Aria picked up her fork, perfectly calm. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The cousins whispered again, but no one dared comment. The duel had begun, and everyone knew it.

Aria took her first bite of duck, savoring the rich flavor. She kept her eyes on her plate, though she could feel Vivienne's stare like a line of heat.

Inside, Aria's thoughts sharpened. You lost the first round, sister. And you don't even know it yet.

The duck was barely touched when Vivienne struck again.

"So, Aria," she said, flashing a smile that belonged on a billboard. "Do you remember that summer at Grandmother's lake house? The time you tipped the canoe and cried for an hour because you thought fish would nibble your toes?"

Several cousins snickered. Even Uncle Harold, already pink from wine, let out a wheezy chuckle.

Aria dabbed the corner of her mouth with her napkin. "I remember," she said. "I was twelve. And if I recall, you were the one who stood on the dock screaming that your hair would 'absorb lake germs.'"

The table burst into sudden laughter. A cousin nearly choked on his wine.

Vivienne's eyes narrowed, but she forced a laugh. "Well, I was protecting my hair. Priorities."

"Oh, we all remember your priorities," Uncle Harold added, grinning. "Wasn't that the summer you made us line up to vote on which swimsuit made you look more 'royal'?"

Even Grace, their mother, bit the inside of her cheek to hide a smile.

Vivienne waved a manicured hand, feigning grace. "Ah, youth. We were all dramatic once."

"Some of us," Aria said lightly, "just needed a bigger stage."

The room howled. A servant carrying a tray stopped mid-step, eyes wide, then hurried on.

Vivienne sipped her wine to cover the flush creeping up her neck. "Well," she said, voice silk over steel, "at least I've grown out of it."

Aria tilted her head. "Have you?" The question floated like a feather, soft but impossible to ignore.

For a beat, only the clink of cutlery filled the space.

Their father cleared his throat, clearly torn between amusement and the need to keep order. "Girls," he said, "let's enjoy the meal."

"Of course, Father," Aria replied sweetly, her gaze never leaving Vivienne's.

The main course ended with more small talk, most of it suddenly directed toward Aria. Cousins asked about her own work plans; an aunt complimented her calm. Even Uncle Harold leaned in to say, "You've sharpened up, kid. I like it."

Vivienne stabbed at her salad like it had insulted her.

When dessert arrived delicate pastries dusted with sugar Vivienne tried one more jab. "Tell me, Aria, does Damian ever laugh? I can't imagine the great Mr. Cross sharing a joke."

Aria smiled, a sparkle in her eyes. "He laughs when something is truly worth laughing at." She picked up a pastry and added, "Like tonight, for example."

The cousins broke into open laughter again. Someone clapped the table. Even Grace's lips twitched before she looked away.

Vivienne's grip on her fork tightened until her knuckles blanched.

Aria set down her plate and rose smoothly. "Thank you for the lovely evening," she said, her voice clear and warm. "I should let you all rest before the night grows late."

Her father stood as well, clearly impressed despite himself. "Safe travels, Aria."

She inclined her head. "Always."

Vivienne stayed seated, eyes glittering like cut glass.

Aria walked out of the dining room with the unhurried grace of someone who had just won a private war. Behind her the laughter lingered, soft and undeniable.

The night air met Aria like a cool hand as she stepped outside.

Gravel crunched softly under her heels. The Cross sedan waited at the base of the steps, headlights glowing pale in the dark.

Peter hurried to open the door. "All set, Mrs. Cross?"

"Yes," she said, sliding into the back seat. "Let's go home."

As the car eased down the long driveway, the Carter mansion shrank behind her still bright, still grand, and suddenly very small.

Aria watched the lights fade to distant pinpricks. Her reflection in the window showed a calm smile.

Round one, she thought, belongs to me.

The city lights rose ahead, and for the first time that night, she let out a quiet laugh.