Chapter 22
Alistair hadn’t pieced together the truth on his own. Every instance of Vivian’s concern and control, he had simply chalked up to the typical behavior of someone enamored, anxious about the safety of the person they cared for.
From the start, he never believed she approached him purely out of affection. So, he had her background investigated, along with details about the person she was supposedly interested in. Every time they went out, he had someone keep an eye on her, to prevent any moves that might harm Nollan Corporation.
Yet, she continued her routine: work, concern for him, managing his affairs, without any suspicious actions. Just as he was starting to believe she might genuinely have feelings for him, Sebastian suddenly appeared in his life. As Vivian’s ex–husband, Sebastian naturally caught more of Alistair’s attention. What Alistair didn’t expect was for Sebastian to approach him directly, laying bare the entire truth.
Despite this revelation, Alistair wasn’t quick to trust Sebastian’s words. Therefore, when he confronted Vivian, he wished fervently she would deny her feelings for him as plainly as she’d denied any lingering affection for Sebastian.
But she didn’t.
Add to that the surveillance footage from the second floor of the banquet hall, and Sebastian’s pointed remark: “Is he really worth it, enough for you to change who you are, stay with someone you don’t love, and pretend for years?”
Sebastian spoke of himself, but wasn’t he also speaking to Alistair?
In the presidential suite, darkness enveloped the room after Alistair left and turned off the lights. Vivian sat on the bed, listening to his footsteps fade away without turning back, feeling a sense of loss and emptiness. Had she really made a mistake?
Vivian slowly lay back on the large bed. Perhaps she had cried too much that day, or maybe the effort of caring for Alistair had drained her energy. She felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her.
She had thought about running after Alistair, but what would that achieve?
Both Sebastian and Alistair had said the same thing: Lucian was gone. Even if she chased after someone, it would only be Alistair, not her Lucian.
Her thoughts tangled into a chaotic mess, and before she knew it, she drifted off to sleep.
That long night, Vivian dreamed an equally long dream.
In it, she was transported back five years. Vivian was twenty, and Lucian was twenty–two.
On his birthday, he knelt before her in a proposal, his eyes shining brightly as he said, “Vivi, since I was five, my birthday wish every year has been to marry you. Today, I’m twenty–two. We can finally get married. Will you be my wife?”
The candles were arranged in a heart shape around them. In his hand was a ring bought with prize money from college competitions. A bouquet of vibrant red roses lay on top, with a small card he wrote himself, “Vivi, I love you, Marry me!”
Tears of joy sparkled in Vivian’s eyes as she extended her right hand and nodded vigorously, saying, “I will.” Soon after, their families began discussing the wedding date. Lucian didn’t want to wait until the next year. After careful selection, both families agreed on a good day at the end of the year.
This way, the wedding wouldn’t feel rushed, nor would it be delayed too long. Their love had the blessing of both families and all their friends; they were destined for happiness.
1/2
2/2
