He eventually let me go, but I could feel the tension in the air.
As I turned to leave, I saw Vivian collapse to the ground.
Marcus immediately ran toward her, crouching to pick her up. But as he did, his gaze flickered in my direction, and for a moment, I thought he might come to me.
Instead, he turned his attention back to Vivian and only moved toward the hospital when I had disappeared from his view.
I saw everything clearly from the corner, the pain in my chest like a needle piercing through my heart.
Breathing was hard. Every inhale felt like I was suffocating.
I sat down on a bench by the flower bed in the square, my phone vibrating in my pocket.
It was an ultrasound image.
"I already have Uncle Marcus' child. How could your 600 million deep red ruby necklace compare to the baby growing in my belly? He’ll be the heir of the Rivers Family, the fruit of my love with Uncle Marcus."
Vivian was pregnant?
Yes, how could she not be pregnant after all the times they’ve been together?
Marcus must be thrilled, living out his games, his desires, without any restraint.
Would he abort their child for me?
No, I won’t forgive him.
No matter how deep the love may have seemed, it couldn’t withstand the temptation of the flesh.
What am I still holding on for?
It has nothing to do with me anymore.
Let them do whatever they want.
Yet, despite the coldness in my thoughts, a wave of loss and despair washed over me.
Hot tears slipped down my face, falling onto the back of my hand. I quickly wiped them away, but the emotion refused to stop.
Why am I crying so foolishly? Wasn’t I supposed to let go?
Before I could even finish wiping my face, Vivian’s voice messages came flooding in, each one like a bombshell shattering my composure.
"Well… don’t worry, you’re happy with Vivian, aren’t you?"
"Vivian loves you so much. You love Vivian too, don’t you?"
"You’re fascinated by Vivian’s body, aren’t you?"
"Come on, Vivian has a surprise for you."
I could hear Marcus' labored breathing in the background, the desperate sound of a man lost in his own indulgence.
"Otherwise, Vivian’s surprise will be gone..."
"Yes, I like you. I just want to be with you!" His voice was impatient, filled with a mix of lust and frustration.
And then, Vivian’s voice came again.
"Lila, did you hear everything? Do you still want to marry him?"