Chapter 2
After having her blood drawn, Vivian felt a bit dizzy and leaned against the wall for support as she walked out. She saw Sebastian standing beside Vanessa, who had just been wheeled out of the operating room.
He held Vanessa’s hand tightly, whispering softly to her, his expression gentle and tender. Not once did he think to ask about his wife’s condition or if she felt unwell. Naturally, he didn’t notice when Vivian quietly returned home alone.
Back at the villa, Vivian headed to the kitchen. Her anemia was exacerbated by the excessive blood loss, leaving her pale and weak. She intended to make a bowl of hot soup to regain some strength, but as soon as she poured it into a bowl, her hands gave way, and it crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.
In that instant, for the first time, Vivian’s eyes brimmed with tears, breaking the stoic facade she had maintained despite years of ridicule and humiliation.
She murmured to herself, “Luc… without you, I truly can’t do anything right.”
The spilled soup reached her feet, and as she looked at the dark stain, memories from the past flooded back.
There was a time when she had the most wonderful partner. A time when her beloved Luc was still alive.
She often suffered from coldness and severe cramps during her cycle, and Luc would always take care of her, preparing a steaming bowl of soup, cooling it to the perfect temperature before feeding it to her.
Sometimes, she’d indulge in a bit of childish pouting, and he’d pull her into his arms, warming her stomach with his large hands, saying it would ease her pain.
When she was in a foul mood and everything irritated her, he would sit quietly beside her, allowing her to hit or scold him, only to tenderly blow on her hand afterward, asking if she hurt herself.
As Vivian crouched to pick up the shattered pieces, a sharp pain pierced her fingertip. She realized she’d cut herself, a thin line of blood appearing. Whether it was from the physical pain or something deeper, tears began to fall in heavy drops onto the floor.
“How could I not see it? You loved me so deeply, yet Sebastian’s heart never beat passionately for me,” she thought.
She collected the last of the broken shards and threw them into the trash, then smiled faintly to herself, “But it’s alright, we’ll see each other soon.”
The next day, Sebastian still hadn’t returned. After freshening up, Vivian headed out to meet with a lawyer. As she sat across the table, a drafted divorce agreement lay in front of her.
“Miss Delmont, once both parties sign this divorce agreement and complete the one–month waiting period, the divorce will be finalized,” the lawyer explained.
Thinking of Sebastian, who hadn’t even bothered to come home, she asked, “Can I sign on his behalf?”
“Miss Delmont, that’s absolutely not allowed!” the lawyer replied firmly.
Seeing his resolute refusal, she quickly added, “My husband wants the divorce too, he’s just too busy to come. I can call him if you need proof.”
She pulled out her phone, scrolling to Sebastian’s number, and dialed.
After a long pause filled with the droning dial tone, the call connected. Without any pleasantries, Vivian spoke, “I need to discuss something with you…”
Before she could finish, Sebastian interrupted, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, “I’m busy. Just handle it, no need to discuss.”
Then Vivian heard a woman’s voice in the background–Vanessa, sounding petulant, “Sebastian, the medicine is so bitter… Can I skip it?”
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Chapter z
As the call ended, she faintly heard Sebastian’s gentle response, “No, you need to take it to get better soon.”
Vivian turned to the lawyer. Understanding Sebastian’s indifference, the lawyer finally relented, nodding to allow a proxy signature.
With relief, Vivian exhaled softly and proceeded to sign Sebastian’s name on the divorce papers.
After leaving the law office, she booked a flight to Cresthaven for a month later.
It was a week before Sebastian returned home.
He arrived late at night, weary from travel, bringing a chill into the room. Vivian, half–asleep, barely reacted to his presence.
It wasn’t until the mattress dipped beside her and she felt his arm wrap around her naturally, that she fully woke and instinctively moved away, gently pushing him back.
Sebastian, experiencing rejection for the first time, looked momentarily stunned before frowning, “You always said you needed my heartbeat to fall asleep.”
In three years of marriage, Vivian had seldom asked Sebastian for anything, but he had agreed to this one request. It was right after their wedding, and aside from a marriage certificate, he had given her nothing.
Yet she didn’t mind, simply leaning against him afterward, pressing her ear to his chest.
He had asked why she liked resting against him like that.
Under the moonlight, her eyes had sparkled with love and tenderness as she replied, “Because I love listening to your heartbeat. Can I always fall asleep like this?”
Perhaps it was the overwhelming affection in her gaze that had compelled him to agree. This ritual had continued ever since; whenever he was home, she would naturally nestle into his arms, her head nestled close to his heart.
But now, after a pause, she shook her head and said, “No need.”
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