Clarice: Aster, I wanted to talk to you. She looked directly into his eyes, conveying sincerity. I want you to know that what happened between me and Callum in the past is nothing more than a distant memory. Our relationship was more of an idea, a performance, to please others.
She paused for a moment, giving Aster the opportunity to absorb her words.
Clarice: I care about both of you, and I don't want you to be shaken by media speculation or curious glances. What matters is what you have now.
Aster, surprised by Clarice's frankness, nodded, silently admiring the protagonist's extraordinary kindness. He could see sincerity in her eyes and concern in her voice.
Clarice: Lord Mallet, Callum's grandfather, and my grandfather were great friends. The idea of our relationship was more of a tribute to that friendship than anything else. They wished, in some way, to unite our families. But we, as individuals with our own feelings, have the right to choose our paths.
She continued with an understanding expression.
Clarice: So, Aster, don't worry about what people think or say. What you have is real, and that's what matters. There's no need to live in the shadow of old ideas.
Touched by Clarice's words, Aster nodded again, feeling a wave of understanding for her. Did his stepsister carry the kindness of a fairy tale?
"However, having read the book, Aster was fully aware of Clarice Phillips's love for Callum Campbell, as well as understanding that they shared a half-sibling relationship and that his stepsister's mother, Beatrice Phillips, had attempted to perpetrate the murder of two 8-year-old children."
Clarice: You deserve to be happy, and I sincerely hope you are. If you need support, know that you have a friend here. She smiled warmly at both of them.
Aster looked up and glanced at Callum. Taking a deep breath with a hint of humor, he asked with a smile:
Aster: How did you not marry a young lady with such a good heart?
Clarice couldn't hold back a slight laugh, while Callum responded with a sparkle in his eyes:
Callum: Well, I guess I was waiting for someone with an even better heart. And it seems I found it.
And that was one of the rare occasions when Clarice saw Callum smile. And her heart skipped a beat, despite a smile on her own lips.
Observing the dynamics between Aster and Callum, Clarice decided to share a sincere thought:
Clarice: You know, Aster, I admire people who grow strong even when life presents challenges. Your story and Damián's, creating an art gallery together, are truly inspiring. It's admirable to see how both of you turned challenges into opportunities.
Aster, maintaining his modesty, responded with a smile:
Aster: It hasn't been an easy life, Clarice, but art has always been our refuge. With Damián, life was never boring.
Keeping the conversation light, Clarice suggested:
Clarice: Speaking of opportunities, I heard that in a few days, there will be a gala called "Starry Night." It will be a splendid event, and on that day, I count on you to introduce me to Damián.
She left the idea in the air, curious to see their reaction to the party proposal.
Interrupting with a smile, Callum said:
Callum: We'll certainly be there. And don't forget, Adam will also be present. It will be a memorable night and also one of the charity events leading up to the Golden Leaf tournament.
"Of course, the Golden Leaf Tournament—just thinking about it, Clarice already felt a nightmare ahead. She had presented most of the awards the previous year, and now, as she listened to the voices of Callum and Aster, Clarice's thoughts flew, curious about the dynamics of this edition."
"She no longer embodied the Lady of Two Domains".
Callum: Aster, let me tell you more about the Golden Leaf Tournament. It's a tradition we've maintained for generations in the lands of the Campbells and Phillips. It's a grand event that goes beyond a simple display of strength.
Aster: (curious) Tell me more, Callum.
Callum: (Proud) The tournament is a celebration of ancient traditions, a return to the past. You know, over 200 years ago, alphas used to compete to showcase their best physical and genetic abilities. Display of strength to secure the best marriages.
Aster: (Interested) Wow!
Callum: (excited) Now, despite having advanced technology on our properties, during the tournament, everything reverts to how it used to be. No technological devices. It's a way to honor ancient traditions. (Smiles.) And the games—oh, they are truly special.
Aster: (Curious) What kind of games?
Callum: (engaging) We'll have the classic tug of war, a fierce competition of strength between alphas and betas. Stick fighting, where combat skills are put to the test. And, of course, the Hunting Challenge, a test of precision and agility.
Aster: (intrigued) Sounds exciting.
Callum: (proud) Oh, it is! And more. Log throwing, Brute Force Challenge, and climbing—events that not only highlight physical strength but also the skill and endurance of the participants. Oh, and I can't forget the climbing challenge and the endurance test.
Aster is impressed. It sounds like an intense celebration.
Callum: (Smiling) Exactly, Aster. A celebration of our roots and traditions. Moreover, it's a charity event, and the proceeds go to charitable institutions. (Reflects) It's a way to blend the old with the modern, keeping the essence of the past alive.
Aster: (appreciative) I'm looking forward to participating and learning more about these traditions.
Callum: (excited) It will be the first of many you'll participate in!
Aster takes a moment and speaks to Callum:
Aster: By the heavens, are you going hunting? I must say, Damián and I joined a wildlife protection fraternity in college. I don't support hunting wild animals.
Callum, surprised, responds:
Callum: Are you serious? I understand the importance of preservation, but hunting is an ancient tradition for us. However, here in the tournament, hunting is part of a symbolic ritual and does not involve the harmful capture of wild animals.
Aster, curious, asks:
Aster: A symbolic ritual? How does that work?
Callum explains:
Callum: Yes, Aster. It's a rite that symbolizes a connection with nature and gratitude for wildlife. During the Hunting Challenge, we use bows and arrows, but the prey is from protected lands, and some are even created with specific objects. It's not about harming animals but honoring tradition.
Aster, pondering, says:
Aster: I can understand the symbolic meaning. Preservation of tradition is important, as long as it's done consciously and respectfully toward nature.
Callum, agreeing, concludes:
Callum: Exactly, Aster. Our goal is to maintain the essence of traditions while always avoiding unnecessary harm to wildlife.
At this moment, Clarice feels like she's left out of the conversation. She hated hunting, but she always tried her best not to disappoint Callum, who loved this tradition. However, hearing Aster express his disapproval so clearly and even seeing Callum justify it made her blood boil.
While Callum explained the symbolism behind hunting in the tournament, Clarice struggled to hide her frustration. She understood the importance of traditions, but she couldn't ignore the discomfort she felt at the thought of any form of harm to wildlife.
With a forced smile, she decided to intervene:
Clarice: (trying to maintain composure) Well, Aster, everyone has their convictions, right? I personally love hunting. (lied)
Clarice lay on the hotel bed, staring at the ceiling with fixed eyes, while anger pulsed through her veins. The room around her was in disarray, a visible reflection of the internal turmoil consuming her. Torn curtains allowed a faint light to illuminate the chaos.
The reason for her fury was clear: Aster, the omega who dared to defy her expectations. The woman who always strived to be impeccable, maintain appearances, and ensure that everything was under control now found herself confronted by someone who seemed to challenge all her achievements.
Her blood boiled with perceived injustice. How could she, who always strived to be the best, lose to an omega? The idea was intolerable. Clarice felt the weight of wounded pride and accumulated frustration.
As she tried to calm her thoughts, she recalled her last contact with her mother. When the phone rang, it was her mother's.
"There is no sooner or later, right or wrong, things happen when they have to, okay"?
Beatrice continued automatically:
"You two will reconcile sooner or later"!
Clarice felt an internal conflict; something wasn't connecting the beginning and end of Callum and Aster.
"Relief"?
"So, we were wrong, wrong all the time, creating a nightmare of superstition and fantasy, all because of a coincidence with an omega".
Clarice, surprised, inquired:
— Oh!
"As much as the news calms me down, even if it's not entirely true, my soul regains its light. Everyone believes that you two are getting closer, with back-to-back lunches and dinners".
"There will be scars—those marks of time that sometimes hurt us, but nothing that time can't heal".
"After all, nothing will go back to normal because "normal" is different now! But it's okay".
I understand, Mom, and I promise to do my best. Minutes later, the call ended.
Only a few reports calmed Beatrice Phillips, but Clarice didn't dare speak the whole truth; she was tired of her mother's fury.
But the sequence of events didn't match Callum's character.
It wasn't a liquid love. The one that slips through the fingers like water is unstable, shapeless, substanceless, and short-lived.
Two days later…
For a moment, Callum stopped reading the news and quickly looked at the glass wall that started from the floor and ended at the ceiling in front of him, offering an incredible view of the city.
Checking his wristwatch, he realized he had only three more hours to be back home.
Mentally, he began to recap everything that had been published in the newspapers about him and Clarice.
He reflected on the events, from the good moment of introducing Aster to Clarice to the regrettable fact that the press created various rumors with social columnists and gossip columns about his personal life.
"A bunch of damn lies"!
Definitely, his life was turning into a new circus!
An infamous and cruel piece of news, infamous for Clarice and cruel for Aster, who was his partner.
"The moment Callum ended his relationship with Clarice, he knew a change was necessary. Unfortunately, this change ended up being reported inaccurately, making Aster be portrayed as a usurper".
While pondering these tumultuous thoughts, his emergency phone rang. It was his mother, Sarah, saying she had just received a call from Beatrice Phillips. Beatrice informed me that Clarice had received the same bouquet of blue flowers with shiny petals on their ends, along with a package in white and red colors. Additionally, there was a threatening letter from the stalker, Astra!