CHAPTER 5

(Vivian’s POV)

My hands were ice-cold as I sat on the sofa, directly across from Kai. Meanwhile, Willem sat beside him. The conversation continued, but I couldn't control my nervousness.

Kai kept staring at me like I was his prey, ready to be devoured. His gaze was sharp, piercing, and dominant, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable. His presence alone made it impossible for me to focus, even though this discussion was supposed to be about my divorce.

"Do you know how long they've been having an affair?" Willem asked in a calm, gentle voice.

I shook my head. "I only found out last night. I have no idea how long they’ve been betraying me behind my back."

I bit my lip, my hands gripping the edge of the sofa anxiously. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kai smirking at me.

Is he mocking me?

"What about evidence of the affair? Do you have any?"

Once again, I shook my head.

There were so many things I didn't know about Adrian and Sophia's betrayal. Just thinking about it made my blood boil with anger and disappointment.

"Hmm, this is quite difficult since there's no concrete proof of your husband's infidelity. But I’ll do my best to win this case," Willem said.

"I… I don't have enough money to pay for a lawyer. And I think it’ll be hard to win because marriage lawsuits usually don’t favor the plaintiff," I admitted, my voice hoarse.

Willem fell silent as if weighing my words. There was hesitation in his eyes.

"That’s true, but you should still try. You saw them with your own eyes—they were cheating, "That can also be used as evidence."

Kai suddenly cleared his throat, startling me slightly. He stared at me sharply before turning his gaze to Willem.

"Will, can you leave us alone?"

"Huh?"

"I want to talk with her privately," Kai said, his voice firm and commanding.

"Oh, well..."

"No, I don’t want to waste your precious time. I’d rather just go back and—"

"Stay there, Miss Rosendale."

I flinched just as I was about to rise from the sofa when Kai suddenly spoke in a demanding tone, his piercing gaze locked onto me.

Without realizing it, I sank back into my seat, overwhelmed by a wave of nervousness. Willem glanced between the two of us before finally standing up, quickly grasping the situation.

"Alright, I’ll let you two talk. Tell me when you're done," he said as he walked out of the office.

Silence fell between us.

Kai continued to stare at me with eyes as sharp as a raven’s. The atmosphere grew unbearably cold. I anxiously fidgeted with my feet, biting my lip, and lowering my head to avoid his gaze.

"Miss Rosendale."

"Y-yes!"

I looked up. Our eyes met.

But then, a flood of memories from last night—of us tangled together on the bed—rushed through my mind. Heat crept up my face, turning it crimson with embarrassment.

Kai smirked.

"I can destroy your husband for you, Vivian," he whispers, his lips dangerously close. "Make him regret ever betraying you. But what will you give me in return?"

"W-what?"

I gasped, feeling as if I had just stepped into another trap.

"Your divorce. I can settle it with a snap of my fingers. You wouldn’t even have to worry about paying a lawyer. Willem will handle it, using the best from his firm, and I’ll make sure it happens," he said, observing me closely. "So, Miss Rosendale… What do you think?"

Was he doing this on purpose? Just to mock me after what happened between us last night? I had even thrown money at him—an amount that was probably insignificant in his eyes.

And now, here I was, sitting before him like a pathetic little rabbit.

It was embarrassing.

"Why would you help me?" I asked.

"Why?"

"Yes, because nothing in this world is free."

He smiled meaningfully.

"What if I told you that I want something from you?" he said, his gaze dripping with mystery.

I clenched my jaw. "I won’t sell myself to you."

Kai let out a rich, mocking laugh. He stood up and moved toward me, perching on the glass table right in front of me. His muscular body, dressed in a luxurious suit, leaned forward. His hand reached out, tilting my chin up. His dark eyes held me captive.

"Who said I wanted your body?"

I swallowed hard.

"Then what do you want?"

“I want you, Vivian.”