Diamond Tears | Book 2 of The Champagne Chronicles

S I X T E E N - Paris Part 2

Daphne takes a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as the cool night air of Paris surrounds her. The words she had thrown at her grandfather still echoed in her mind. She had done it. She had finally stood up to him. All the bottled-up emotions she'd carried for years—the pain, the frustration, the guilt—they had all spilled out in that explosive moment.

For the first time in years, Daphne felt lighter.

She glanced at Riley and Jérôme, both standing beside her, their silent support so present that she felt grounded, safe. Without them, she didn't know if she would've had the courage to stand her ground.

"Thank you," she said softly, her green eyes glistening as she looked at the two most important people in her life. "I couldn't have done it without you both."

Jérôme flashed her a grin, his signature laid-back attitude shining through. "Anytime. Plus, it was kind of fun seeing him squirm."

Riley stepped closer to her, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "You were amazing, Daph. You didn't need us—you did that on your own." His voice was soft, but there was admiration in his gaze. "But we've got your back, always."

Daphne smiled, warmth flooding her chest. Despite the threats her grandfather had made, she felt more in control than she ever had. The weight of his expectations, the suffocating grasp of the Arnault family's influence—it no longer held the same power over her. She had chosen her own path, and though it scared her, she felt... free.

"Let's have a night we'll remember forever," Riley said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "No more heavy stuff. Let's just enjoy being here. Together."

Daphne nodded, feeling a surge of energy. The weight of her family's drama could wait. Tonight was about them.

Jérôme gave a mock salute, already walking back toward the entrance of the club. "That's the spirit! Come on, let's dance until we can't feel our legs."

Riley grabbed Daphne's hand, pulling her toward the entrance as well, and for the first time in a while, Daphne let herself relax. The neon lights of the club glowed as they stepped inside, the rhythmic pulse of the music vibrating through the air. The crowd was alive, the energy electric, and it was as if the weight of the world disappeared the moment they stepped through the doors.

Back inside, they found the rest of the group—Fenna, Levi, Chantal and Yves—already deep in conversation and laughter by the bar. Fenna spotted them and waved them over. The whole group seemed to have caught onto the lighthearted, carefree vibe of the night, and soon they were all back on the dance floor, letting loose.

Daphne found herself laughing with the others, feeling the warmth of their friendship wrap around her like a safety net. The night had taken a turn she hadn't expected, but in a way, it was perfect. The adrenaline of the confrontation with her grandfather had given her a strange sense of peace, and now, surrounded by her friends, she was ready to make new memories—good ones.

As the music thumped through the speakers and the flashing lights cast everyone in a glow of reds and blues, Riley leaned close to Daphne, his lips brushing her ear. "You look beautiful tonight, you know that?"

Daphne grinned, her heart skipping a beat. "You've already told me that like, three times."

"I'm just making sure you don't forget it," Riley said, his voice low and playful.

She smiled, feeling the tension drain from her body as she melted into the moment. Her world, for once, felt stable. Despite everything happening in the background—the looming threats of her family, the secrets still lingering in the air—this moment, with Riley and her friends, felt like a victory. And tonight, she would allow herself to bask in it.