Part 17: The Conversation
Maya and Vivienne’s relationship continued to evolve in quiet, unexpected ways.
One rainy afternoon, Vivienne invited Maya to the estate again. This time, they sat in the sunroom with tea.
Vivienne
“I never had daughters,” she said. “Only sons. I told myself I was relieved. Sons were easier to understand. Or so I thought.”
She looked at Maya.
Vivienne
“But having you in our lives has made me realize how much I missed. Not the idea of a daughter. The reality of one.”
Maya stirred her tea slowly.
Maya
“I’m not sure I know how to be someone’s daughter. My mother was everything to me. I don’t know how to split that space.”
Vivienne nodded.
Vivienne
“I’m not asking you to call me anything you’re not ready for. I’m just asking you to let me care about you. Even if it’s awkward. Even if it takes years.”
Maya looked at her for a long time.
Maya
“Okay. But I have conditions.”
Vivienne raised an eyebrow.
Maya
“No pretending things are fine when they’re not. No using me to fix your marriage or your relationship with Thomas. And if I ever feel like I’m being used as a prop again, I walk away.”
May you like
Vivienne smiled faintly.
Vivienne
“Deal.”
