Second Love Story

Chapter 3: Violet Harvey

The sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished hardwood floor echoed in Violet’s mind as she replayed the final moments of the practice match. She could still feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, the satisfying thud of the ball hitting the court on the other side of the net, and the sting it left in her palm. It had been a long and grueling practice match, but every muscle ache was pleasantly worth it. The upcoming international tournament had every team in the region pushing harder than ever, and Violet thrived under that pressure.

But as she stepped into the luxurious penthouse—her once-sweet home—the warmth of victory faded, replaced by an all-too-familiar tension.

"Violet, darling, you're home!" her mother, Iva, called out from inside. Her voice was soft, full of warmth as always, but with a recently added excitement. Still, Violet could hear the underlying note of nervousness. Something was wrong.

"Yeah, Mom. Just got in." Violet dropped her duffel bag by the door and took off her shoes, making her way to the dining room, where Iva stood at the counter, preparing the table for her. "What’s going on? You sound… off."

Iva turned around, her smile a little too bright, and wiped her hands on a towel. "I was waiting for you to come home, dear. Ben and I have something to tell you."

There it was. Violet felt her stomach drop. She knew that tone. The same tone Iva used every time Ben had another ‘great idea’ that involved dragging the family along for trips or something equally inconvenient.

"Let me guess… we’re going on another weekend trip," Violet commented jokingly. "But I have a tournament in a couple of months, and—"

"It’s not a weekend trip, Vi," Iva interrupted gently, her eyes filled with cautious optimism. "We’re moving… It's temporary, but we’ll be away for a while. Like… a couple of years… or so."

"Moving?" Violet froze. Her hand gripped the back of the dining chair, knuckles turning white. "What do you mean, ‘moving’? And for a couple of years?"

Iva’s smile wavered, but she pressed on, trying to keep the mood upbeat. "Clara called some time ago, stating her retirement and that Ben’s son is taking over the company. She thought Ben and his son could work things out while helping him..."

Violet’s head spun as she processed the words. "You’re telling me we’re leaving the life we’ve built here? Grandeur, the employees, my training, matches, our friends—all of it, just so that Ben could ‘work things out’ with his son who blatantly avoided you back when you went to visit him?"

Iva stepped forward, reaching for her daughter’s hand. "I know it’s sudden, and I do know we have a life here, but it’s important to Ben. And I—"

"I’m not going." Violet’s voice was sharp, cutting through her mother’s explanation. She yanked her hand back, stepping away from Iva, her eyes blazing. “I don’t want to leave my life here and go play sister with some pampered wealthy stranger!”

A wealthy and capable 25-year-old young lady doesn’t usually stick around and move along with her family, but that wasn’t the case for Violet Harvey. Her biological father, Jack Harvey, was once a famous professional volleyball player and now a school volleyball coach. Fifteen years ago, when the love between Iva and Jack disappeared, they mutually agreed to a divorce. Growing up with Iva’s unlimited love and attention despite having ‘Grandeur’ to manage, Violet noticed the loneliness that took root in her mother. To Iva, who juggled between home and office, Violet was not just a daughter but her salvation in her lonely world.

Violet would do anything for her mother if it would make her happy. Although she never liked Ben, Violet couldn’t help but feel happy when she saw how cheerful her mother became around him, free from loneliness. But something about Ben made Violet uneasy, though she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Iva blinked, startled by Violet’s sudden outburst. "Vi, I understand, but—"

"NO, YOU DON’T!" Violet interrupted again, her voice raised. "Ever since Ben came into our lives, everything has been so… restless, Mom." Violet calmed down, her voice softening. “I get that traveling and experiencing new things is great. You know I love adventures. But living in a constant rush isn’t an adventure at all."

Iva’s face fell, the bright hope in her eyes dimming as she realized the truth. "Violet, I know. I am sorry for failing to notice your feelings. I would have refused if it were just any of his whims. But this is different."

"How different, Mom? Is it different from having a complicated past and troublesome present like ours?" Violet asked, irritated.

Iva sighed, her voice quieter now. “If I had to summarize the poor kid’s complicated past and lonely present, I would say… it’s the worst.”

"Mom..." Violet sighed helplessly, her voice softening. “I’m… tired. I’m sorry, but I’m going to bed. I’ve got morning training. Dad’s coaching me.” She rubbed her neck and retired to her room.

Iva sighed as she cleared the dining table.

---

A week passed, with a heavy silence between the mother and daughter. Ben, growing guilty, decided to meet Violet at the gymnasium where she trained, hoping to clear the air.

Violet’s face hardened when she saw Ben at her practice space, annoyed by his presence. Sensing her frustration, Ben quickly spoke up. "I’m sorry for intruding, but I needed to talk to you."

“Just… what is it?” Violet sighed as she enquired tiredly.

Seeing that she was willing to listen, Ben continued. "The estate is 45 kilometers from here. I know how difficult it would be to uproot your life and move there. I’m not trying to force you into it. I… made a mistake in the past, and now I just want to make things right with him. I’ve been trying to reach out to him all these years, but well… I guess I’m not forgiven yet. When I asked Iva about her thoughts on it, she said she was happy to join. I know I am the guilty one here. All I’m asking is, please let me use this chance to fix things."

Violet couldn’t respond right away, but seeing the change in her expression, Ben left the gymnasium.

She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and considering things.

---

That evening, Violet sat at the dinner table, silently eating as Iva expatantly watched her. "There are egg sandwiches too…" said Iva

Violet took a bite, nodding softly. "They’re delicious."

After dinner, they sat on the couch, watching TV together. Iva, sensing an opening, gently brought up the topic again.

"I thought maybe a change of pace, getting away from the city, might be nice for us. Could you think it over, sweetie? I won’t push anymore if you don’t want to." Iva’s voice was hesitant.

Violet sighed, glancing at her mother. "Fine," she said, her voice resigned. "But under two conditions. First, this will be the last time I agree to one of Ben’s ideas. And second, I’ll join you only after my tournament, about three months later. That’s non-negotiable."

Iva’s eyes teared up with gratitude, and she reached softly as she held Violet’s palm. "Thank you." She whispered.

Violet hugged her mother, feeling emotional despite the uncertainty still churning inside her. She had bought herself time, but the thought of her life shifting again felt suffocating. She had three months to prepare for whatever awaited her at the new house.

---

Three months flew by in a whirlwind of practices, matches, and tournament preparations. Violet had thrown herself into volleyball, completely immersed in her passion.

The tournament gave her the excitement and thrill that she loved. Her team had performed flawlessly, earning their victory. They had lifted the trophy in triumph, cheers filling the air as confetti rained down—it was pure euphoria.

For a moment, everything else faded away. Violet felt alive, in her element, surrounded by her teammates and basking in the glory of their win.

But as the adrenaline faded, reality began to creep back in.

After she landed at the airport, Violet was still on the high from the tournament and went straight to a burger joint inside the airport premises to fill her starving soul, just when her phone buzzed with a message from Iva.

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’s fingers hovered over the screen as she reread the message. Cooper Mansion. The name sparked a feeling of familiarity in her chest, but she couldn’t place it.

---

The five-hour drive from the airport was quiet, and Violet drifted into sleep as the rhythmic hum of the car lulled her, exhausted from the tournament and the flight. She opened her eyelids, slightly drowsy as the car stopped in front of a set of massive, wrought-iron gates.

The driver honked, and the gates slowly opened. She was jolted awake, still groggy and disoriented. She rubbed her eyes, blinking at the sight in front of her.

Violet leaned forward, her brow furrowing as the car pulled up the long driveway into the estate. The towering gates, the vast gardens, the sprawling mansion—it all felt eerily familiar. Her heart began to race as the car came to a stop. She quickly checked her phone—Cooper Mansion—“Ash… Cooper!?” she gasped.

Her stomach twisted in knots as she realized where she was.

This wasn’t just any mansion.

It was Ash’s mansion.

Memories came rushing back. She had spent so much time here, in this very house, during the years she and Ash had been together. It was their safe haven where they had once shared so many happy, intimate moments before everything had fallen apart.

The driver parked in front of the entrance stairs, and Violet remained frozen in her seat for a moment, trying to process the flood of emotions. Her breath came in trembling as she tried to process what was happening. She had agreed to move in with Ben and Iva, not realizing that the house they were moving into belonged to Ash.

"Miss, we’re here," the driver said, opening the door for her.

Violet stepped out, taking in the magnificent view. She felt like she had been transported back in time. She fumbled and grabbed her handbag as familiar faces emerged from the mansion—Thomas, Dahlia, and Philip—to welcome her as a family member. The staff member who had once known her as Ash’s girlfriend now stared at her, shocked to see her as Iva’s daughter.

Within the gentle breeze of the early morning chillness, a familiar figure appeared.

Ash.

He came from the side path, shirtless, fresh from an early morning run, his dark hair damp with sweat. He froze in his tracks when he saw her, pulling out his earphones. His gaze locked onto hers, his expression a mixture of disbelief and confusion.

"Ash..." Violet finally found her voice, though it came out a lot softer than intended.

Ash didn’t move. His mind was racing, trying to piece together how this could be happening. He knew Ben had a stepdaughter, but he had never imagined... it would be her. Violet. The one person he had tried, and failed, to forget.

"What... are you doing here?" Ash asked, trying to sound indifferent but miserably failed as the words came out shakily.

Violet blinked, momentarily unsure of how to answer. She had come here expecting nothing more than an awkward reunion with her stepfather’s family—not this.

"I... didn’t know," she began, her voice shaking slightly. "I didn’t know this was your house."

Ash’s frown deepened as he took a step closer, his voice low, still slightly shaky. "You’re... Ben’s stepdaughter?"

Violet nodded hesitantly, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yeah."

They stood there in silence, the weight of their shared history pressing down on them. The awkwardness of the situation hung in the air like a heavy fog.

Four years ago, they had been inseparable, their love the kind that was sweet and passionate. But now, everything has changed. They weren’t lovers anymore—they were step-siblings.

"Did Iva and Ben know?" Ash asked finally, his voice low, almost a whisper.

Violet shook her head, still trying to wrap her mind around the surreal situation. "Probably not."

Violet hesitated, “I… don’t think they should.”

Ash in a bitter tone “What!?” and continued in a low voice “You want to keep this between us? When everyone in here already knows a lot?”

The tension between them was palpable. Part of Ash wanted to reach out, to hold her like he had years ago. But the other part of him—the part that still felt the sting of their sudden breakup—knew Violet was right. It would only complicate things, and both of them weren’t ready to face those complications.

"Your wish," he agreed, though the word felt heavy on his tongue. "As always!" he mumbled.

They stood there for another moment, the awkwardness between them lingering before Ash finally cleared his throat.

"Come on," he said, his tone steadier now. "I’ll show you to your room."

Violet followed him inside, her emotions swirling as she entered the mansion she once knew so well. As Ash led her upstairs, Violet couldn’t shake the feeling that her life had just taken a very unexpected turn.

And for the first time in years, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to face what lay ahead.