Chapter 4

Over the weekend, my mother took Noah to the amusement park. Vivian and I both happened to take the day off.

"Honey, we haven't had any alone time in so long. Why don't we go to that shooting range behind the university district? You were such a sharpshooter back in college!"

Vivian tied her hair up and changed into a clean, practical athletic outfit.

I looked her up and down. I could tell she was filled with anticipation.

Her athletic shoes from college sat in a prominent spot. Despite their age, she had kept them in pristine condition, and they practically gleamed.

When I stood there without moving, she gathered her courage and took my hand. She led me to the entryway and gently guided me to sit on the small bench.

Vivian knelt on the floor and carefully helped me put on my shoes, tying the laces with tender care.

Her every move seemed like the epitome of a devoted wife.

"Honey, you're almost exactly the same as you were in college. When we get back, let's have a candlelit dinner. Even I get romantic sometimes."

I looked down at her, refusing to play along with her script.

"I'm not going, and I'm not having a candlelit dinner with you either. Just looking at your face makes me sick. I can't even eat."

Her pupils contracted in shock, and her eyes brimmed with tears. But her hands kept moving, continuing to tie my shoelaces just as I had done for her back when we were in school.

She sat on the couch in a daze, numbly watching some mindless TV drama.

When lunchtime rolled around, she thoughtfully made me a bowl of seafood pasta. Then she went back to her room to upload another video.

Vivian's followers were extremely engaged. Within five minutes of posting, the comments poured in.

"What a jerk! What does she have to do to make him smile? Even royalty isn't this demanding."

"From what I've heard, Elijah has alienated everyone around him. Nobody in real life wants anything to do with him anymore."

"No wonder. He takes out all his frustrations on his wife. What a loser!"

That afternoon, I took a nap. When I woke up and left my room, Vivian stood on the balcony with her phone, arguing with whoever was on the other end.

When she caught sight of me from the corner of her eye, she quickly hung up. She hurried over to me, asking how I was feeling and fussing over me.

I was used to it by now.

Seeing that I was not angry, Vivian rushed into her room and changed into a seductive dress.

Right in front of me, she curled her hair, trimmed her nails, and removed any unwanted hair. She made herself look absolutely stunning, radiating charm from head to toe.

After finishing her grooming, she poured two glasses of red wine. Before she even took a sip, two rosy circles appeared on her cheeks.

"Honey, we haven't been intimate in so long. Back in college, when we first slept together, my mom found out and almost went to the school to confront you. I was the one who convinced her to trust you.

"You had nothing back then. But I was right to choose you. Now we can afford a big house and nice cars.

"You even joked at our wedding reception that you wanted me five times a week. All my friends were impressed."

Vivian draped herself against me like she had no bones, leaning on my shoulder.

She breathed hotly against my ear, her hands exploring my body. She was doing everything she could to offer herself to me.

"Honey, hold me."

I looked at her with a half smile. Then I put my hands around her waist and whispered something so quietly it was barely audible.

Vivian looked thunderstruck, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Why?"