Chapter 4

After that day, Victor did not come home.

It was a usual tactic of his. He would use silent treatment to wear me down with endless self-doubt and suspicion.

Then, he would show up, say a few affectionate words, and we would reconcile.

In the past, I used to give in, because I still loved him.

But now, I no longer cared.

I started packing my belongings.

His private villa was filled with various luxury items he had bought, and the only things that I truly owned were just a few changes of clothes.

It was then that I realized I had been revolving my life around Victor for far too long.

The next day, I returned to the family's headquarters and carried out the task handover.

I wanted to leave and give up all my current positions and power.

My close friend, Lynn Monroe, was in charge of the handover.

When she saw my resignation letter, she looked shocked.

Then, she laughed.

"Vivienne, you're handing over your tasks because you'll be busy preparing for your wedding, right?"

I looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

She patted me happily on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Don't hide it from me! A few days ago, I heard the Underboss say he had already booked the most luxurious banquet hall. Victor's planning the grandest wedding for you.

"Congratulations, Vivienne. After all these years, your wait has finally come to an end!"

I froze, and my mind was a complete mess.

So Victor did remember the wedding I had waited seven years for.

But I didn't know if I should feel happy or sad about it.

I said nothing and merely signed all the handover documents.

The news of the wedding left me unsettled, so I invited a few of my closest friends to our usual bar that night.

As we wrapped up, I stumbled tipsily through the corridor. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.

From the half-open cigar room came the incredulous voice of Victor's Underboss.

He asked, "Don Blackwood, are you really going to have a wedding with Ms. Stone? What about Vivienne?

"She's been with you for seven years and done so much for you. She has also been waiting for you to marry her.

"If she finds out about this…"

Victor held a cigar between his fingers, and his voice was heavy with mixed emotions.

"I know that Vivienne has suffered a lot," he said. "But Queenie was attacked by our enemies yesterday.

"She said she was terrified and worried that she wouldn't even get to experience her dream wedding if something really happened to her.

"I cannot deny her this wish."

Victor paused, then spoke with a hint of unwavering resolve in his voice.

"Let Vivienne wait a little. We'll postpone the wedding she wants for a while longer."

I stood frozen on the spot and felt my chest tighten.

So that wedding was never meant to be mine.

To him, I would always be second to Queenie.

As I stumbled out of the bar, I ran straight into Queenie.

"Vivienne? With that look on your face, have you found out about the wedding?" she asked.

She finally revealed her malicious side and mocked me mercilessly. "Were you really expecting to be the bride? Don't make me laugh!

"Someone like you is only good enough to be a mistress, not Victor's wife."

"Yesterday, I just lied that some enemies frightened me, and I wanted a wedding with him as soon as possible. He agreed immediately," she continued. "Do you see now? As long as I ask, he'll give me anything I want.

"Pampering me has become second nature to him. What could you possibly compete with?"

My face was pale. But I forced my chin up and held back my tears.

I said, "You win. I'll tell Victor I am leaving immediately. You can have him."

Queenie sneered. "That won't do. If you left feeling all hurt, you would still be on his mind. You bitch! I didn't expect you to have such vile thoughts."

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly pulled out a gun from her purse and shot at a nearby car's fuel tank.

With a loud boom, the fuel tank exploded in an instant. The deafening explosion shattered the decorative wall outside the bar, sending debris and smoke swirling everywhere.

I fell to the ground as flying pieces of concrete hit me. Suddenly, she forced the gun into my hand.

The next moment, Queenie flung herself to the ground and began sobbing hysterically.

"Vivienne, please don't kill me! I won't fight you for Vic's affection anymore. Don't hurt me, please! I'm begging you!"

Victor rushed out almost instantly.

He saw me holding the gun, with the flames still burning behind me.

On the ground, Queenie trembled as she clutched her bloody arm.

Victor's expression turned dark, and he knocked the gun from my hand.

He snarled, "Vivienne, what the hell are you doing? Have you lost it? You actually tried to kill her just to compete for affection?"

"It wasn't me!" My voice trembled. I was on the verge of tears from panic. "Queenie shoved the gun into my hand. She's framing me!"

But against the backdrop of flames and blood, my defense seemed meaningless.

Queenie screamed at the top of her lungs, "I told her she could have the wedding, but she still tried to kill me! Vic, she really wants me dead!"

Victor's eyes were full of pain and disappointment as he said in a low voice, "Vivienne, I thought you would always be the one who made me feel safe. But now, I don't know how I can trust you anymore."

With that, he carried Queenie and walked away.

Shards of debris had cut several gashes into my skin, the pain sharp and searing.

But compared to the tearing, excruciating pain in my heart, it felt like nothing.

I tried to speak but only managed to squeeze out a few broken words.

"I didn't… I really didn't…"

Tears blurred my vision, and everything in my life seemed to collapse around me. It all pressed down so heavily on me that I could barely breathe.

Then, I summoned the last of my strength, staggering as I turned and walked in the opposite direction.

A cab to the airport stopped in front of me. I dragged my exhausted body in and leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes.

The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror. Then, he asked hesitantly, "Miss, you're today's 50th lucky passenger, and you get a discount voucher for your next ride. Would you like it?"

I shook my head. My voice was hoarse but firm.

"No, thank you. I won't be returning to this city ever again."