A week after her sister's call, Violet was invited by Cameron's mother to a family reunion. And of course, Violet couldn't resist making her happy. As soon as she arrived with her best friend and Cameron, she sighed before her ex-mother-in-law appeared. She ran to hug her.
- Oh my god, my little Violet, I missed you so much. How have you been since the last time I saw you?
- I'm doing very well, mother-in-law.
- And you Cameron, since you came back, you've only visited me once. I guess you were busy reconnecting with Violet.
- That's exactly it, mother. He affirmed with a smile addressed to the person concerned.
- I'm glad you had time to come.
- I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world. I never miss family reunions and you know it.
- It's mainly because you learn juicy things, yes. His sister replied, giving him an exasperated look. Is Dad here too?
Cameron lost his smile and looked at his mother and sister in turn.
- What do you mean Dad? He's not in Sicily anymore?
- Oh... HE didn't tell you? His mother asked, taken aback.
- No, he didn't tell me anything. I remind you that it's because of him that I left. He left me the company without any explanation when it was bankrupt. And the day of his car accident, I wasn't even informed, he didn't even bother to call me to give me news of him. On the other hand, he didn't hesitate to use the company's money to pay for his care without even warning me, once again.
- Cameron...you can't blame a man in a wheelchair...
- Forgive me mother, whether he's in a wheelchair or not doesn't change the fact that he used his son for his own benefit without thinking about my feelings. I'm not saying that I'm insensitive to what happened to him but that doesn't mean that I'm going to forgive him for his mistakes in the blink of an eye. Because of his famous bankrupt company, I left without a word, abandoning Violet and you know what he told me when I informed him? "It's not that serious, she'll get over it. It's just a young love. You can easily find another woman when you're more mature." And it's because of him that I had the stupid idea of not writing to her and breaking off all contact with her without a single explanation. I admit that in this respect, I am partly responsible. But my hasty departure and the long absence, it's absolutely not my fault. So you'll excuse me if I'm not really happy about his presence among us. If I'm still here, it's only for you mom, for my little sister and the rest of the family but certainly not for him.
Violet remained frozen and looked at him. Her gaze was so dark that she understood that this period of her life still affected her deeply.
- Exactly, and if we fixed that?
She turned around when she heard this deep voice and saw the father of the family, in the doorway in an electric wheelchair. She suddenly felt like she was in the way.
- Maybe it's time for us to have a discussion between men, don't you think son?
Her son stared at him with an angry look before resigning himself to walking towards him.
- Uh... if you want I can leave and leave you to your family. I see that you have things to clear up and I wouldn't want to intrude so....
Everyone turned to face her, especially Cameron.
- I don't see why you're intruding. My mother invited you and you're not bothering anyone. Otherwise we would have already told you.
- Only my husband and son have things to sort out. But we can go and settle down in the meantime. So, yes, you are and always will be welcome. Come on.
- Very well, if you insist...
A few minutes later, everyone was gathered on the sofas and everyone was looking forward to seeing each other again. The father and the eldest son seemed to have reconciled even if Cameron continued to keep his impassive face, sitting next to Violet.
- How happy I am to see you all here. The mother began. It's time to start the reunion. First of all, I'm delighted to see Violet back among us after ten years.
- Thank you, it warms my heart.
- I admit that during these ten years, I even thought that you had left the city after Cameron left. Trevor said, smiling at her.
- Yes, before you showed up in her office just to taunt her about her return. that very day. Layla retorted, giving her a fake smile.
- Well, what? She had the right to know that he was back.
- It's not like I wasn't going to forget to see her after I landed. So your intervention was more provocative than anything else.
- We all know him for that. The mother intervened. By the way, did you tell them that you had a girlfriend?
Cameron, Layla and Violet looked at him as if they were hallucinating.
- Excuse me? You Trevor, do you have a girlfriend? Asked his sister.
- Who is the brave one who decided to support you? Asked Cameron, still as impassive.
- She's a pretty blonde I met a year ago, at a friend's party.
- And she's not just a conquest that you're keeping longer than before?
- No, brother. I decided to follow your example. No more conquests. I'm 28 now and I thought it was time to stop hurting the women around me by giving them false hope.
- Now, my son has changed a lot. Said the father, speaking for the first time since the beginning of the discussion.
- Well, I'm glad you've changed like that. I'm proud of you, my boy.
The mother turned this time to Violet and stared at her for a moment before speaking again.
- Now, I would like you to explain to me, my dear, how you can be harassed for two months now and it's only now that I find out? My daughter could have told me about it but I'm pretty sure you made her promise not to tell anyone. Not even your mother. So explain to me, I want to understand.