Diamond Tears | Book 2 of The Champagne Chronicles

T W E L V E - Mountains, Paris and Unspoken Secrets

The vast halls of the Arnault Estate had never felt so cold to Benoit. The grand portraits of past generations loomed over him as he walked through the corridors, their eyes following him as if they knew the weight on his shoulders. The familiar scent of polished wood and aged leather hung in the air, but today, none of it brought him the usual comfort of home.

He paused outside the heavy double doors to his grandfather's study, taking a deep breath before knocking. The tension in his chest had been building for weeks—since Daphne had been cut off from the family. It was time to confront Monsieur Arnault, even though the thought filled him with dread.

"Enter," came the sharp voice from inside, a voice that had commanded obedience from the entire family for decades.

Benoit pushed the doors open and stepped into the room. His grandfather sat behind the imposing mahogany desk, his posture as rigid as ever, his expression unreadable. The light from the tall windows cast long shadows across the room, adding to the already oppressive atmosphere.

Monsieur Arnault didn't look up immediately, his eyes scanning a document with cold precision. Benoit stood there, waiting, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. After what felt like an eternity, his grandfather finally spoke.

"Benoit," he said, still not looking up. "I assume you're here to discuss something important."

Benoit clenched his fists, struggling to keep his voice steady. "It's about Daphne. I don't understand why we're making things so difficult for her."

Monsieur Arnault's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes meeting Benoit's with a calm, icy stare. "Daphne made her choice, Benoit. She defied the family. There are consequences for that."

"But she's your granddaughter!" Benoit's voice rose, unable to contain his anger any longer. "She's out there, struggling to survive, and we're just... letting it happen? You've cut her off from everything! What's the point of all this?"

Monsieur Arnault's expression didn't change. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling together as he regarded Benoit with a mixture of coldness and authority. "The point, Benoit, is loyalty. Daphne chose her path. She refused to listen to the family's guidance. There is no place for disobedience in this family."

Benoit shook his head, feeling the frustration bubble over. "She didn't refuse the family. She refused to live under your control. Is that such a crime?"

His grandfather's eyes narrowed, the temperature in the room seeming to drop several degrees. "You speak of control as if it's some evil force. But control is what keeps this family intact. Without it, we would crumble. Daphne's defiance is not a personal matter, Benoit. It's about what's best for the Arnault name."

Benoit's heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anger and guilt swirling within him. "You're punishing her because she wouldn't bend to your will. This isn't about the family. It's about power."

Monsieur Arnault's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady, icy. "Power and family are the same thing in our world. You would do well to remember that." He paused, his gaze hardening. "And do not forget that you are still under this roof, still benefiting from the privileges I have provided. You, Benoit, are not above the consequences of disobedience either."

Benoit flinched at his grandfather's words, the thinly veiled threat hanging heavy in the air. He had always known that Monsieur Arnault had control over every aspect of his life—the wealth, the connections, the family legacy. But hearing it spoken aloud, like a leash tightening around his throat, made him feel trapped in a way he hadn't felt since he was a child.

"What happens if I don't follow your rules, then?" Benoit challenged, though his voice faltered slightly. "Are you going to cut me off too? Is that how this family works? One wrong move and you're out?"