Chapter 16
But in the next moment, Alistair shook his head, his rejection was as firm as a closed door.
“No need.”
Vivian didn’t let it faze her. She hadn’t expected to succeed on the first try, after all. This outcome was already within her expectations. “Alright, but if you ever do need something, Mr. Nollan, could you consider me first?”
He didn’t say yes or no. He merely raised an eyebrow, a look of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Why does it have to be me?”
The question caught her off guard, but she quickly composed herself.
“Feelings don’t always have a reason, do they?” Vivian pressed her lips together, her gaze drifting away. “If you must know, Mr. Nollan, let’s just say it’s because it’s you.”
As she finished speaking, there was a hint of melancholy in her voice.
But she hadn’t lied.
The air filled with silence, broken only by the occasional sound of a spoon clinking against a coffee cup.
After a moment, he glanced at his watch and stood up. “Break time’s almost over, Miss Delmont. You should probably get back.”
“Yes, sir!” Her voice carried a playful note that reached his ears, making the earlier sadness seem like a figment of his imagination. Without turning back, he waved, “This coffee’s on me.”
Vivian thanked him with a smile, her eyes lingering on his departing figure. If Alistair had turned around, he would have seen the wistfulness in her eyes.
She lowered her head and let out a bitter laugh. “I miss you, Luc…”
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. She looked up, and all the emotions in her eyes vanished, replaced by an indifferent gaze.
Standing before her was Sebastian, who had tracked her down and arrived in a hurry. He looked weary, his face pale and a stubble shadowing his jaw, making him appear rugged and unkempt.
Seeing her poised and radiant, and remembering the man she had just been chatting with, the apology he had prepared turned biting as it left his lips.
“Is that your new target, Vivian? You really can act. Does he know you’re only after his heart?”
She ignored his harshness, calmly drinking the last of her coffee, her eyes detached, as if he were invisible. She stood and moved to pass him.
As she brushed past, a hand suddenly grabbed hers. She looked down to see his thin fingers wrapped around her wrist.
Her brows furrowed tightly. She pried his fingers off one by one, brushing the spot he had touched with disdain, a gesture that cut him deeply.
Without that heart, did even his touch repel her now?
Vivian had anticipated that he would learn the full truth, prepared for him to be relieved to finally be free to be with his true love, Vanessa. She never considered he would chase after her so desperately.
But she couldn’t care less about his feelings, not even bothering to exchange words as she attempted to leave. Unable to hold back, Sebastian raised his voice again.
“Vivian!”
The call drew the attention of everyone nearby. In the center of their stares, Vivian sighed in resignation, turning back to face him.
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Chapter 16
Her expression was noticeably distant, and when she spoke, it was with a formal, “Mr. Balfour.”
“I don’t know why you’ve come all this way to find me, Mr. Balfour, but if there’s nothing urgent, it’s almost time. for work, and I should return to the office.”
His eyes suddenly reddened, like a puppy pleading not to be abandoned, his voice trembling with emotion. “Vivian, you schemed to get close to me for a heart, and now you leave without hesitation. How can you come and go as you please, even signing divorce papers on your own? I never knew about that agreement. It doesn’t count!”
Vivian shook her head, a sardonic smile twisting her lips. “But, Mr. Balfour, I did ask you.”
