Chapter Fifty: The Breaking of Ties

The morning after the revelations about Theo’s new venture and Eleanor’s inheritance as the Duchess of Kensington was anything but calm. The Blackwood estate, once a symbol of unity and tradition, was now filled with the echoes of heated arguments and deep-seated resentment. 

Theo entered the grand hall with Eleanor by his side, her posture straight and her chin held high. Despite the emotional storm raging within her, she refused to show weakness. The Duke and Duchess of Islington were already present, along with Adrian and Nicholas. Edmund and Catherine had also arrived, their faces set in unreadable expressions. 

The moment Theo and Eleanor stepped in, the Duchess of Islington shot them a sharp glare. “You’ve brought nothing but discord to this family,” she said coldly, her words directed at Eleanor. “It seems you’ve managed to drag my son into your schemes.” 

Eleanor’s lips tightened, but she said nothing. Theo, however, stepped forward, his voice calm yet firm. “Mother, enough. Eleanor has done nothing but support me in a way you never have. She believes in me, in my dreams, and that’s something you fail to understand.” 

Adrian, always quick to escalate matters, sneered. “Dreams? What good are dreams, Theo, if they destroy the family that raised you? You’ve turned your back on us, on the Blackwood legacy.” 

“Turned my back?” Theo retorted, his voice rising. “You mean by daring to step out of the shadow of tradition and forge my own path? Grandfather saw potential in me, potential you and Father have always dismissed. He ensured I had the means to succeed because he knew you’d never support me!” 

The Duke of Islington slammed his cane on the floor, his face red with anger. “This is not about support! It’s about loyalty! Your place is here, maintaining the dignity and reputation of the Blackwood name, not chasing foolish ventures and dragging us into disgrace!” 

At this, Eleanor finally spoke, her voice icy and composed. “Disgrace? If by disgrace you mean progress, then perhaps the Blackwoods were already falling behind. Theo’s ambitions aren’t foolish; they are necessary. And I would advise you, Your Grace, to choose your words carefully. I am no longer merely Lady Islington—I am the Duchess of Kensington.” 

Her declaration hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. 

Nicholas scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “A title means nothing if it’s attached to a woman who tears apart families.” 

Before Theo could respond, Catherine stepped forward, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Enough, Nicholas!” she snapped. “Eleanor is not the problem here. The problem is your inability to accept change. And let me remind you, Eleanor is not just any woman. She’s the Duchess of Kensington, a family with wealth and power that surpasses even ours. You would do well to remember that.” 

Her words silenced the room momentarily, but the tension remained palpable. 

Adrian shook his head, his expression one of disappointment. “You’ve let her blind you, Catherine. This is not about progress; it’s about betrayal. Eleanor’s influence has poisoned Theo, and now you defend her?” 

Edmund, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his voice calm yet resolute. “If this is betrayal, Adrian, then I stand with the traitors. Theo is my brother-in-law, and Eleanor is my sister-in-law. I’ve seen their determination and their vision for the future, and I believe in them. As the Duke of Darlington, I express my full support for Theo’s venture. I’ll even invest in it if need be.” 

The room erupted into chaos. Adrian and Nicholas hurled accusations at Theo and Eleanor, their words laced with anger and bitterness. The Duke and Duchess of Islington looked on, their faces a mixture of anger and disbelief. 

In the midst of the chaos, Catherine spoke again, her voice breaking but her resolve unwavering. “I’m disappointed in all of you,” she said, addressing her parents and brothers. “You’ve always prided yourselves on being a strong, united family, yet the moment someone dares to challenge tradition, you turn on them. Is this what the Blackwoods stand for? Blind adherence to the past, even at the cost of losing your own children?” 

Her words seemed to cut deeper than any argument. For a moment, there was silence. 

The Duchess of Islington, however, was not ready to concede. “If she insists on acting out of place, then she will no longer hold the title of Lady Islington.” 

Eleanor stiffened, but Theo stepped in front of her, his expression one of quiet fury. “You may strip her of that title, Mother, but you cannot take away who she is. She’s more than Lady Islington. She’s my wife, my partner, and the Duchess of Kensington. And you will address her with the respect she deserves.” 

The Duke of Islington stood abruptly. “If this is how you choose to behave, then so be it. You’re no son of mine.” 

Eleanor reached for Theo’s hand, her grip firm and steady. Theo, however, merely smiled, a bitter edge to his expression. “If being your son means giving up who I am and who I love, then I want no part of it.” 

With that, he turned, leading Eleanor out of the hall. Edmund and Catherine followed close behind, leaving the rest of the family to stew in their anger and disappointment. 

As they reached their chambers, Eleanor turned to Theo, her eyes searching his face. “Are you sure about this? About everything?” 

Theo cupped her face in his hands, his gaze unwavering. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, Eleanor. You’re my future, not them. And I’ll prove to you—and to the world—that we can rise above all of this.” 

Eleanor nodded, her heart swelling with love and admiration for the man who stood by her side. Together, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their love and their dreams.