Family Dinner

The black sedan rolled through the towering iron gates of the Voss Manor.

Nestled atop a sprawling hill overlooking the city, every brick, every column, and every carefully trimmed hedge spoke of generations of wealth and power.

The moment the car came to a stop, Lucien sighed.

“This is going to be troublesome.”

Selene simply glanced at him, keeping quiet.

She stepped out first.

The butler had already opened the massive double doors by the time they reached the entrance.

The moment Lucien crossed the door—

[CRASH!]

A porcelain vase shattered against the wall beside his head.

Fragments of the vase exploded across the polished marble floor. Luckily, not a single shard touched him.

Lucien merely glanced at the broken vase before lifting his eyes toward the man standing in the center of the hall.

Richard Voss. His father.

His expression was frighteningly grim. “You still dare show your face here?!”

Lucien slipped one hand into his pocket, a lazy smile tugging at his lips.

“How could I refuse my father’s request to see me?”

Richard’s face darkened further.

Before another expensive antique could become a weapon in his hands, a graceful hand rested lightly on his arm.

“Richard…” Estella Voss, Lucien’s stepmother, smiled gently.

“You shouldn’t be so angry.” Her gaze shifted toward Lucien, showing her practiced smile. “Young people are bound to make foolish decisions.”

Lucien looked at her, his smile still plastered on his face. But if you look closely in his eyes, it was dead cold. He knew exactly what she meant. She may be able to sway others with her gentleness and charm, but not him. He can see her true colors plain as day.

Richard scoffed.  “Young? He’s twenty-eight. He’s married. And yet he still behaves like an irresponsible child.”

The hall fell silent.

Richard drew a slow breath before turning toward Selene. The anger in his expression quickly vanished.

“Selene. Are you alright?”

Selene inclined her head respectfully. “Good evening, Father. Good evening, Mother. Everything is under control. I’ve already handled the reporters and reached an agreement with the media. Nothing should be published.”

Richard frowned. “Under control?” He shot Lucien a disappointed look. “This fool humiliates you in broad daylight, and you’re still the one cleaning up after him.”

He said. He was starting to pity her. If only his son was half as responsible as her then he would never have to be angry in his life again.

“What exactly does he need another woman for when he already has a wife he should be protecting?”

Lucien remained silent.

In truth…

He wanted to answer. ‘It’s your precious daughter-in-law who refuses to even sleep beside me.’

But saying it aloud would only embarrass both of them.

He glanced sideways at Selene, and Selene, who was observant, quickly caught the look he gave her and looked away immediately.

She knew exactly what he was implying with those eyes of his. She knew she was at fault. She wasn’t fulfilling her duties as his wife. 

In truth, she was okay with him having relations with other women, especially since their marriage was for business not for love. She just never imagined he would be this reckless to even gain the attention of the media with his scandalous affairs.

She calmly looked away as though she hadn’t seen it.

Richard rubbed his temples. “We’ll continue this discussion after dinner. For now, you two will rest in your room, we’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

Lucien released a heavy sigh.

Apparently, his punishment wasn’t over yet.

…

The dining room was unusually quiet.

Richard occupied the seat at the head of the table. Lucien sat to his right. Selene sat beside Lucien.

Across from them sat Estella, while beside her was Adam, Lucien’s older half-brother. And at the far end sat Erika, the youngest, and by far the most outspoken out of their whole family.

Silverware clinked softly against expensive porcelains.

No one spoke.

Until—

“I heard about the scandal.” Erika’s voice shattered the solemn silence.

Everyone looked toward her in an instant.

She smiled sweetly. “You must’ve been heartbroken, Sister Selene.”

Richard immediately frowned. “Erika.” He gave a warning tone.

“It’s alright, Father.” Selene gracefully set down her fork before turning toward the young woman.

She already knew where this conversation was headed. Erika had disliked her from the very beginning. Every family gathering became another opportunity to provoke her.

Fortunately… Selene had long grown accustomed to it.

“Marriage isn’t without hardships, Erika,” she answered with a gentle smile. “When problems arise, we’ll work through them.”

Erika blinked at her perfect response, biting the inside of her cheeks. However, she wasn’t done yet.

“I suppose…” She tilted her head innocently. “But if my husband spent the night with another woman… I probably won’t forgive him. I wonder why you are so unfeeling.” She said, as if she was genuinely sad for her.

The room quieted.

Lucien wanted to shut his sister’s mouth, but he was also curious how Selene would respond.

Selene’s smile never faltered. “Fortunately, every marriage is different.” She spoke with an unwavering voice. “What’s unforgivable to one couple may simply be another obstacle for another. You are still too young to grasp the complexity of marriage and life. One day, you will understand.”

Erika bit her lip.

She clenched her fist in anger. Selene was basically telling her that she was still a foolish young woman who doesn’t understand a thing!

She wanted to say something, however his brother already interjected into their conversation.

“Selene.” Adam finally spoke. “How have you been, it’s been days since we last saw you.” His voice was calm and courteous.

Truthfully… He had always admired Selene.

Years ago, Richard had considered arranging a marriage between the two of them.

Adam had declined since wasn’t ready to marry.

Looking back… It was perhaps the only decision he genuinely regretted. If only he knew it was her who his father tried to betroth him, he would have agreed no problem.

He would have treated her right and so much better than Lucien.

Selene met his gaze politely. “I’m doing well, older brother.”

Adam smiled softly. “I’m glad.”

They continued talking as if they were the only two people in the room. Selene was comfortable with him since he knew Adam way back in her college, he was her senior, and he had a good reputation, one she actually admired before.

Lucien quietly watched the exchange. Something about it irritated him. Maybe it was the way Adam looked at Selene. Or maybe… It was the smile Selene gave him.

She smiled.

Lucien frowned.

He couldn’t remember the last time she’d smiled at him like that. Wait… did she ever smile at him to begin with? He can’t remember.

His grip on the wine glass tightened.

[Crack.]

A thin fracture spread across the crystal glass.

No one noticed this. Except Selene.

She turned toward him and their eyes met.

Lucien’s expression was frighteningly dark.

He is angry again?

She honestly doesn't know what she’d done this time. Whatever it was… She would deal with it later.

Without another thought, she calmly returned to her meal.

Lucien’s jaw clenched.

She ignored him. Again.

He slowly leaned back in his chair, his jaw clenching in anger.

I’ll make sure to punish you tonight.