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Novel Catalog
Chapter 33
Victor’s expression darkened as Phillip’s words hit their mark. The mention of his marriage discussions with the Clement family was a touchy subject for him. The weight of expectation from his father and stepmother felt like a heavy chain around his neck. Victor had long since made peace with his responsibilities, but his father’s constant attempts to push him into a marriage that Victor had no interest in, only intensified his resentment.
“I’m not going to sit down for a farce, Father,” Victor said coldly, his voice tinged with contempt. “I don’t care about your marriage talks or what the Clement family thinks. They don’t concern me.”
Phillip’s face turned pale, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he stepped closer to Victor. “You have a duty to this family, Victor. The Alwynn name means something. We can’t afford your whims!”
Victor met his father’s gaze with a mixture of anger and indifference. “If you want someone who’s willing to play by your rules, maybe you should have raised someone else.” His words were sharp, filled with the bitterness he had carried for years.
Rebecca’s eyes flickered with annoyance, but she said nothing. It was clear she enjoyed the tension, feeding off it like it was some kind of power play. She leaned back into the couch, arms crossed, as she watched the two men exchange heated words.
“Victor, you’re being unreasonable,” Vincent, still standing, added, his voice full of anger. “You’ve always had a chip on your shoulder. It’s time you start acting like part of this family!”
Victor’s lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. “Part of this family?” He almost laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “I’ve never been part of your family, Vincent. Don’t fool yourself. You may wear the same name, but our interests have always been worlds apart.”
Vincent’s hands clenched into fists, his patience wearing thin. “You’re insufferable, Victor! You’ve always been so proud, thinking you’re better than everyone else. That attitude is going to be your downfall.”
Victor’s gaze hardened. “I don’t need to prove myself to you or anyone else.”
Phillip sighed heavily, rubbing his temples in frustration. “Enough, all of you,” he said, his voice low but commanding. “Victor, you may not like it, but your marriage with the Clement family is non-negotiable. Your attitude toward this whole thing has gone on long enough.”
Victor looked at his father, a flicker of something like regret flashing through his eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. “You’ll never understand, will you, Father?” he muttered, almost to himself. “You care more about appearances than anything else. I don’t care for your business dealings or the alliances you’re trying to make. I have my own life to live.”
“Your life is this family’s life,” Phillip retorted, voice raising in anger. “It’s time you accepted that!”
Victor didn’t respond. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked toward the door. Before leaving, he threw one final remark over his shoulder. “I’m done here, Father. When you’re ready to treat me with the respect I deserve, we’ll talk.”
Phillip stood frozen, his face red with fury, but Victor was already gone. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving an oppressive silence hanging in the air.
Rebecca exchanged a quick, unreadable glance with Vincent, then stood, smoothing down her red dress. “It’s just like him,” she muttered under her breath, though her eyes gleamed with a malicious satisfaction.
Victor didn’t care about the tension in the Alwynn household. He had long since accepted that his family was a battlefield, and he didn’t mind walking through it alone. What bothered him more now was the mystery of Eden.
As he left the mansion, his mind was consumed by thoughts of her—the way she had looked at him, the way she made him feel something he hadn’t experienced in years. He couldn’t shake the feeling that his encounter with her wasn’t just a coincidence. There was something about her that drew him in, something familiar yet unexplainable.
Victor’s grip tightened on the steering wheel of his car as he pulled away from the mansion. “I will find out who you are, Eden,” he muttered to himself, determination rising in his chest. “And I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”
For the first time in years, Victor felt a flicker of hope. He was no longer just a man living in the shadow of his family’s expectations. Eden had ignited something within him, and he wasn’t about to let it burn out.