Vivienne blinked in confusion. "Mara? Who's that?"

As far as Vivienne was concerned, the name Mara had been flushed down the toilet long ago, just like yesterday's news.

The whole Boyd family had become invisible in Vivienne and Percival's world, let alone Mara.

Their association with the Boyds had been as necessary as a fish needs a bicycle-completely irrelevant!

Isolde nodded emphatically. "Yes, Mara. Mom's niece, the one you've met before."

Vivienne was still clueless, but Percival recalled and said, "The girl from the second branch of the Boyd family."

"Huh?" Vivienne blinked, not following.

Percival chuckled helplessly and flicked Vivienne's forehead. "The one you said had a nose like a button mushroom."

"Oh!" Vivienne's face lit up with realization. "Isn't she supposed to be abroad? Why is she back?"

What Vivienne did not voice was, "How could she have the gall to show her face here again?"

But with Isolde present, such language was inappropriate.

The trio walked into the living room where Cecilia sat, looking somewhat apologetic.

"Mom, what's she doing here? Is something wrong?" Percival inquired.

He knew his mother well enough to realize that although she could be scatterbrained at times, she had a strong moral compass.

even tried to

the Ellington Mansion, something must have gone seriously awry for Cecilia to soften

would turn out this way; I thought we'd gone our separate ways for good. But then this

embarrassed. She felt she had no right to face

a central figure in her life, and Cecilia's sentiments had no bearing on

dynamics were none of Vivienne's

you make your own decision; don't mind me," Vivienne said with a smile, looking at

her lip,

you decide, I won't object. Just follow your heart." Cecilia's eyes welled up at Vivienne's words. "Vivienne, you can

"No thanks needed."

my business anyway." The last thought was Vivienne's silent addition, mindful of Cecilia's

though he did say sternly, "She can stay but not in the house. And she better

I've got people looking for a place for her. Don't speak to your mother like that!" Cecilia retorted, less patient with her son. She did not want to upset Vivienne, but what was it to him? Upstairs, Mara stood silently by the

in the know, it was clear Cecilia was the legitimate lady of the house. To the uninformed, it might seem like the Ellingtons were Vivienne's

that even her stay would be at the mercy of Vivienne's

subtly raised her gaze, her eyes briefly scanning the slightly ajar door of the guest

quickly slamming the door shut. Had she been imagining it, or did Vivienne catch her eye? It had sent a shiver down

lips curled into a mocking

had a layover in M State. It'd

passing Mara

Ellington family's large number of real

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