Chapter 23

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Not even a second after, the door was opened by none other than Elijah Mikaelson, standing as stoic and composed as ever.

His suit was pressed to perfection, and his eyes gleamed with a calm that concealed the storm beneath.

The Salvatore-Saltzman family exchanged knowing glances.

'It must be the vampire hearing,' they all thought silently.

"Welcome, please come inside," Elijah greeted them in his typical formal manner, his voice smooth and collected.

He stepped aside gracefully, motioning for them to enter.

Sofia led her family inside, her eyes scanning the familiar yet imposing interior of the Mikaelson Mansion.

Nothing has changed over the years. The memories she shared with everyone came back rushing.

The grand chandeliers and vintage furniture, though magnificent, held an air of tension.

It wasn’t as large as the Salvatore-Morningstar home, but its centuries-old history seemed to weigh heavier.

Memories, both good and bad, hung in the air like ghosts.

In the living room, the family was met by Kol, Davina, and Rebekah, each of them holding their own stories of the past with Sofia.

As soon as the kids spotted them, there was no hesitation.

"Uncle Kol! Auntie Davina!" the children shrieked with delight, rushing forward and practically tackling the couple into a bear hug.

Laughter filled the room as Kol stumbled slightly under the weight of all the kids clinging to him.

"Hello, little devils," Kol greeted them with a grin, playfully ruffling Jace’s hair.

His eyes sparkled with the mischief he was known for, as though he was just waiting for an excuse to stir up trouble.

Rebekah, who had been standing just a bit off to the side, smiled but with a trace of sadness.

The kids hadn’t rushed to her, and she couldn’t help but feel the sting of her own choices.

She had left Sofia when she needed her most, and even though time had passed, the guilt lingered.

But she masked her hurt well, keeping her posture graceful and her expression warm, as if nothing was amiss.

"Kol!" Davina scolded her husband, smacking his shoulder lightly as he continued to entertain the kids with his usual playful banter.

"What??" Kol asked, feigning innocence, his expression one of mock confusion.

"Behave," Davina said sternly, though there was a teasing edge to her voice, a testament to their dynamic as a couple.

Sofia, who had been watching the exchange with an amused smile, finally spoke up.

"It’s okay, Davina," she said softly, her tone kind as ever.

The slight tension in the room eased just a little at her words.

Kol puffed out his chest, giving Davina a triumphant look. "See? Even she doesn’t mind," he said with a huff, as if he had won some great battle.

Before anyone could respond, Klaus’s voice echoed from the dining room.

"Alright, enough chit-chat. Let’s have dinner," he commanded, his voice carrying that authoritative edge that demanded attention.

He appeared in the doorway, looking every bit the regal hybrid he was, his presence undeniable.

His eyes locked onto Sofia the moment she entered the room, softening slightly at the sight of her.

There was always something about her that made him pause, though his demeanor remained as calculated as ever.

Sofia glanced at Klaus, maintaining her poise.

"Lead the way," she said with a polite, almost guarded smile.

The tension between them hadn’t gone unnoticed, but Sofia wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of addressing it.

With that, the group began to move toward the dining room, a quiet tension building with every step.

As they passed through the wide hallways lined with portraits of the Mikaelsons’ ancestors, it felt as though the past was watching them, adding weight to every interaction.

The dining room was as grand as expected, a long mahogany table elegantly set with fine china and glimmering candles.

It was all a bit too formal for what should have been a casual family dinner, but nothing about the Mikaelsons was ever truly casual.

They all took their seats, Sofia sitting beside Damon with Klaus seated directly across from her.

It was as though the seating arrangement had been orchestrated for maximum tension.

The kids gathered toward the end of the table, whispering amongst themselves and occasionally shooting glances toward the adults.

As the first course was served, small talk began to filter through the room. Kol, as expected, was the first to break the ice.

"You know, this could’ve been a lot more interesting if Klaus hadn’t insisted on this whole ‘civilized’ affair," Kol quipped, casting a mischievous glance around the table.

Elijah, ever the mediator, gave his younger brother a warning look. "Kol, behave," he said, though his tone was patient, as if he had given this warning a thousand times before.

Klaus, ignoring Kol entirely, turned his attention to Sofia. His voice softened slightly as he asked, "So, how have things been, love? Keeping yourself busy, I assume?"

Sofia met his gaze evenly, though her expression remained cool. "Busy, yes. Things are well," she responded, her voice calm but distant. "And you?"

"As always, there’s never a dull moment," Klaus said, his tone light, but his eyes lingered on her, holding an intensity that was hard to ignore.

Damon, who had been silently watching Klaus’s interaction with Sofia, finally chimed in, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Trouble seems to follow you lot everywhere, doesn’t it?" His tone was casual, but the underlying tension was clear.

Klaus’s eyes flickered toward Damon, his expression hardening for just a moment before he responded, "We manage."

Before the tension could escalate further, Elijah, sensing the atmosphere thickening, interjected with a forced but genuine smile. "Let’s just focus on getting through dinner without tearing each other apart, alright?"

Freya, ever the diplomat, nodded in agreement. "Wise advice, as always."

Despite the surface-level pleasantries, everyone could feel the weight of unresolved issues hovering over the table.

For now, they were content to keep the peace, but the undercurrents of tension were undeniable, hinting that tonight’s dinner might not end as smoothly as it began.

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