From Vows to Desire

Chapter 11: London Confrontations

Scene 1: The Palmer Residence

Theo pulled up to the Palmer residence, a stately detached house in the upscale neighborhood of Kensington, known for its expansive garden that his mother, Victoria, adored. The house always exuded warmth, the type of place that felt like home no matter how long he had been away. But tonight, something was different. As he stepped through the front door, he didn’t feel the usual welcoming energy. The excitement that typically radiated from his mother was conspicuously absent.

The family gathered in the dining room, the elegant chandelier casting a soft glow over the perfectly set table. Victoria sat at the head of the table, her expression more subdued than usual, while Arthur was unusually quiet as well. Theo sat down, feeling the tension rise as the minutes ticked by in silence.

Theo: (breaking the silence) “So, what was this important thing you wanted to talk about?”

Arthur set his glass down with a soft clink, his serious gaze locking with Theo’s.

Arthur: “I’m not going to sugarcoat this, son. Henri Beaumont was in London recently, and he made a proposal… a business merger between Palmer Industries and BR Tech, and a marriage proposal.”

Theo’s brow furrowed in confusion.

Theo: “A marriage proposal?”

Arthur leaned forward, his voice steady and matter-of-fact.

Arthur: “Yes. Between you and Samyukta Beaumont.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Theo stared at his father, unable to find the words to respond. A marriage proposal? To someone he barely knew? It felt surreal. His mind raced, thoughts tumbling over one another, but one name stood out above the rest—Maisie.

It had always been Maisie.

He had spent the last decade trying to escape the memory of her, to distract himself from the overwhelming feelings that had consumed him since they were young. His so-called ‘bad boy’ phase, leaving for America to pursue his MBA, had all been attempts to run from what he couldn’t control. But even on a different continent, he hadn’t been able to rid his mind of her. Since then, no woman had ever come close. And now, his parents wanted him to marry Sam Beaumont?

Theo’s silence stretched on, and Victoria, sensing his inner turmoil, reached across the table to gently touch his hand.

Victoria: (softly) “I’ve waited a long time to see you settle down, Theo. To see you start your own family… and I’m looking forward to that day.”

Theo glanced at his mother, his heart twisting at the unspoken hope in her eyes. He loved his mother deeply and valued her opinion, but this was his life.

Theo: (firmly) “I understand that, Mom. But if I want to find love, I can do it on my own. I don’t need an arranged marriage to find happiness.”

Before Victoria could respond, Arthur cut in, his tone sharp, his commanding presence filling the room.

Arthur: “This isn’t just about love, Theo. You’re a CEO now. You have responsibilities, both to this family and to the company. You should be willing to make sacrifices for the greater good, and this opportunity is too precious to let slip away.”

Theo’s hands tightened into fists beneath the table as he felt his father’s words weigh heavily on him. Arthur continued, unrelenting.

Arthur: “There’s no girl in your life right now. What’s stopping you from taking Sam as your wife? You’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Henri is a powerful ally, and this merger will secure Palmer Industries for decades to come. Think about it.”