Second Love Story

Chapter 2: Unexpected Reunion

Grandeur, a luxury brand that has become famous over the past 30 years, had its roots in women’s handbags. Now, it produces all types of bags—trolleys, purses, wallets, and unisex styles. Its founder and CEO, Iva Grand, had just arrived at Cooper Mansion with Ash’s birth father, Benedict Johnson. The mansion loomed above them, a symbol of old wealth and memories that had long been hidden away.

The Cooper Mansion was an expansive estate designed with a striking elegance and grandeur that reflected the Cooper family's legacy. The estate featured a sprawling main building that stood three stories tall, flanked by two two-story side buildings and a five-story tower—all connected in a diamond-like formation. The main building was the grandest of them all, adorned with high ceilings and lavish decor. On the ground floor, there were several smaller guest rooms, as well as a dining area and various common spaces. The second floor housed larger, more luxurious guest suites built during the time of Ash's grandfather, James Cooper, to accommodate the large number of family members who once gathered here. Although many of the extended Cooper family had since grown estranged, Clara had maintained the tradition, keeping the mansion ready for any possible return. The third floor, however, was reserved for the direct Cooper lineage—home to Ash’s private quarters, Clara’s room, and the now-empty master bedroom that had once belonged to his late mother, Marie. This floor was a sanctuary for the Cooper family, a retreat from the outside world and the chaos of life.

When Clara was still living in the Cooper mansion, Thomas, the butler, asked her if the rooms on the third floor should be prepared for Ben and Iva. Clara had refused, knowing that having them so close would disturb Ash’s peace. Instead, she had arranged for rooms on the second floor to be renovated to the same luxurious standard as the third. Ash had remained blissfully unaware of the entire process, too wrapped up with the new car launch and his life to notice the subtle changes happening around him.

The mansion’s staff adored Ash, not just as their employer but as someone they had watched grow up under their care. So, when the news spread that Ash was gaining new family members, the staff poured their love into preparing every detail. They had beautifully decorated the rooms for Ben, Iva, and her daughter, crafting spaces that would feel welcoming and elegant. Thomas had even taken the liberty of showing Ben and Iva their room, though he discreetly mentioned Ash's involvement with the preparations.

Iva, ever the optimist, smiled warmly as she accepted her new room. “It’s exquisite! Thank you, Thomas,” she had said, even though she knew Ash wasn’t behind the gesture.

---

Later that evening, Ash returned home earlier than usual, around 6 p.m., feeling more restless than usual. The house felt heavier and more stifling with the presence of his father and stepmother. He had never properly reconciled with Ben’s decision to leave after Marie’s death, and his relationship with his father had been strained at best. The years of absence, followed by Ben’s sudden return when it suited him, had left Ash with too many unresolved feelings.

As Ash walked into the living room, he found Iva sitting on one of the velvet couches, looking relaxed but eager to chat. She was polite and always kind, and despite his misgivings about his father, Ash found himself softening toward her.

“Hi, Ash,” Iva greeted him warmly. “Thomas said you usually get home by eight. It’s nice to see you home a little earlier today.”

“Hi, Iva,” Ash replied, hesitating as he tried to find his footing in this new dynamic. “Um.... I thought I could show you around the house.”

But before Ash could follow through on his offer, heavy footsteps approached. The familiar, unsettling presence of his father filled the room, and Ash’s entire demeanor shifted. It had been ten years since Ben and Ash were in the same space, as Ash had avoided any real connection with him. Ben’s absence during the most critical time of his life had left scars that Ash hadn’t been able to heal.

“Ash,” Ben said, his voice rough but concerned. “How’ve you been?”

Without turning to face him, Ash directed his next words to Iva. “I guess Thomas can give you the tour. Sorry, I’m feeling a bit tired. I’ll see you at dinner.” With that, Ash made his exit, his coldness unmistakable as he passed by Ben without so much as a glance.

After a long, hot shower, Ash found himself missing Clara’s presence even more. He toyed with the idea of calling her just to hear her voice, but something held him back. He didn’t want to burden her with his feelings of loss, fearing that hearing her voice might break him into an emotional mess, one that he had carefully buried a long time ago.

An hour passed, and Rita knocked on his door, announcing that dinner was ready. Ash couldn’t avoid it any longer. He dragged himself downstairs, his heart heavy with the dread of another forced family interaction.

When he arrived at the dining room, he was relieved to find that Ben wasn’t there. Iva, however, greeted him with her usual warmth, offering him a seat next to her.

“Here, Ash,” Iva said with a smile. “Would you like to sit with me?”

Ash nodded and took the seat she offered. The atmosphere was quiet but not uncomfortable, and for the first time, Ash felt a bit more at ease with Iva. She wasn’t trying to force her way into his life; she was simply present, offering him a kindness he hadn’t expected.

“Ben has dinner by 6:30,” Iva explained, her voice gentle. “He has some stomach issues, so the doctor....”

“How… should I call you?” Ash interrupted, avoiding to know anything about the man who calls himself his father,

Iva smiled, understanding his discomfort. “My daughter calls me ‘Mom,’ of course, and I’d love for you to call me that too, but I know it’s a bit soon. So, feel free to call me Iva.”

“Iva,” Ash echoed politely. Iva felt his reaction to be cute. Then, as he cleared his throat out of embarrassment, “How’s Grandeur doing?”

She explained calmly, “Well, we’re launching a new series of sling bags soon, targeted for teens,” Iva said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “I’m planning to go to the office starting next week. Would you like to join me if you’re not busy?”

Ash, feeling more comfortable than he had in days, replied, “I’ll have to check my schedule, but maybe.”

Their conversation continued pleasantly through dinner, and by the time they retired to their rooms, Ash found himself feeling conflicted. He hated his father, but Iva was different. She was kind and motherly in a way he hadn’t expected. And as much as he wanted to keep her at a distance, he couldn’t help but like her.

Three months passed, and Ash found himself still struggling with the complexities of his new family dynamics. He had managed to keep Ben at arm's length, using the excuse of a demanding new project to maintain his distance. However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to avoid him, especially since Ben was now handling all the follow-up documents related to Ash’s takeover of Eunison. Every encounter with his father felt like a painful reminder of Marie’s absence, and with each passing day, the bitterness toward Ben seemed to deepen, festering beneath the surface whenever they were in the same room.

---

The following day, a young lady from far away—wearing a light-brown T-shirt and denim shorts stepped off the plane and into the bustling terminal of the city’s airport. Her long red locks danced as she walked to a burger joint inside the airport, pulling her luggage. She had just won her volleyball tournament after three months of intense practice and competition. While the victory should have filled her with joy, her mind was heavy with other thoughts.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. A text from a certain someone.

Safe travels, darling! Can’t wait to see you. The driver will be waiting for you at the arrival terminal. We’re all so excited! Here’s the address: Cooper Mansion, 2nd sector, 456 Everwood Lane.

Violet frowned as she read the text. The mother and daughter lived in a nice penthouse in the city, which was enough for them. When she learned that her stepdad’s only son was a third-generation wealthy guy, she figured they were moving into some wealthy estate. But the address felt strangely familiar, like a half-remembered dream tugging at her memory.

She shook off the feeling as she walked toward the terminal, pulling her luggage behind her. As she got in the car arranged by Iva, the exhaustion of the past few weeks had caught up with her, and all she wanted was to sleep during the five-hour drive to her new home.

The ride from the airport was uneventful, the rhythmic hum of the engine lulling her into a deep sleep. Her mind drifted as the car sped along the highways, the city’s skyscrapers fading into the isolated green parts of the city end.

When the driver honked at the gates to let them open, she blinked awake, groggy and disoriented. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, taking in her surroundings. The towering wrought-iron gates of the estate loomed before her, and as they rode beyond them, a massive, familiar mansion stretched out under the morning sun.

Her heart skipped a beat.

No. It couldn’t be.

She fumbled with her phone, pulling up the address again—Cooper Mansion, 2nd sector, 456 Everwood Lane. Her pulse quickened. Cooper Mansion? She hadn’t paid attention to the details of the new house when her mom mentioned it, too focused on her tournament to care.

She stepped out of the car, her legs unsteady as she took in the sight of the sprawling estate before her. The meticulously manicured gardens, the stone pathways, the grand entrance—it was all painfully familiar. She had been here before. Countless times.

But not as Ben’s stepdaughter.

This was Ash’s mansion.

Ash--

When Ben married Iva, he never met both her and her daughter. Even when Iva visited the mansion in between, he always avoided them. He never bothered to learn anything about them, either.

But now, as he pulled out the earbuds from his ears and wiped his face with a towel, he glanced toward the entrance just to see a familiar silhouette in front of him. His entire body stilled, and for a split second, they both stood frozen, staring at each other like ghosts from another life.

It’s Violet. Violet Harvey.

Ash’s heart dropped. Of all the possible scenarios he had mentally prepared himself for that day, seeing Violet standing in front of his mansion was not one of them. His chest tightened as he took in the sight of her—she looked the same, yet different. The years apart had refined her beauty, but the fire in her eyes, that familiar spark, was still there.

Violet--

Her mind raced as she stood frozen in front of the gates, gripping the handle of her suitcase. She had never known Ash’s address when they were together—she had always been carefree to remember the details when Ash was there to personally escort her. But now, seeing it up close, she realized with sickening clarity that she was standing at the entrance of the place where they had spent so many stolen moments together. The place that once felt like a haven now felt like the setting of an uncomfortable twist of fate.

Thomas and a couple of other butlers came to welcome her and collect her luggage. The staff greeted her with polite smiles, but she could see the recognition in their eyes. They knew who she was—everyone did. And they were just as shocked as she was to find her here as Ben’s stepdaughter.

She pulled herself together, murmuring a quick "thanks" to the driver before grabbing her handbag. She couldn’t stand there forever, but she had to face this, no matter how much the idea of seeing Ash again churned her insides.

As Violet dragged herself toward the entrance stairs, a figure emerged from the side path of the mansion. He was shirtless, his toned frame covered in a sheen of sweat from what looked like an early morning run. His familiar dark hair was damp, and taking out his earbuds as he froze upon seeing her.

She hadn’t expected to see him like this—not so soon, not with the memories of their past so freshly stirred by her surroundings. The last time she had been there, they were still madly in love. That love had unraveled quickly and painfully, but now it was staring her right in the face, leaving her feeling vulnerable in a way she hadn’t been in years.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"Ash…" Violet whispered.

They had thought they could leave the past behind. But standing in each other's presence, with those pleasant memories, the past wasn’t behind them, not anymore.

And it had never felt more complicated.