Chapter 7

"Vivian, have you eaten? When are you and Sebastian coming back again? The wedding arrangements still need to be discussed together..."

"Mom." Vivian cut her off. "I'm not marrying him."

There were a few seconds of silence on the other end. Then her mother spoke again. Her voice carried the same timid, apologetic tone as always. "Sebastian was such a good man. He treated you well, and someone like him was hard to find. Do not be so stubborn. As long as the person was good, just endure the rest and it would pass."

It was all about enduring again.

Her mother endured for an entire lifetime, endured until she lost every shred of dignity, endured until she believed this was simply the fate women were meant to accept.

Vivian felt a sharp ache in her chest.

She took a deep breath and asked in a soft voice, "Mom, would you leave with me?"

"Leave?" Her mother hesitated. "Your father finally started treating me a little better recently. Where would I even go if I left? Vivian, do not act impulsively. Marry Sebastian. Your father is very satisfied with him. Then our family..."

Vivian stopped listening.

She closed her eyes, forced back the tightness in her throat, and replied in a low voice, "I will call you again later." Then she hung up.

Not far away, a massive LED screen broadcast financial news.

A female anchor spoke clearly and professionally.

"According to reports, Miss Evelyn, originally from Harbor City, recently took over as the new CEO of Zenith Capital. Sources close to the company reveal that behind Miss Evelyn stands a mysterious financial backer.

"Our reporters also learned that the journalist involved in the previous controversy surrounding Zenith Capital’s alleged profit manipulation, referred to only as Miss Carter, resigned from her position today. It remains unclear whether Zenith Capital will continue pursuing legal action against her.

"Furthermore, this station learned that the journalist has long been surrounded by controversy. She allegedly used her position as a reporter to pressure others multiple times, even threatening to expose people she personally disliked through news reports..."

The screen switched to footage from that night at the noodle shop. The blond-haired man’s furious accusations played across the display.

The pedestrians who stopped to watch began whispering.

"Reporters these days will write anything just to get attention."

"Exactly. She was completely irresponsible. They should sue her."

"I heard she is a woman too. How arrogant."

Vivian stood frozen in place. As she watched the news scroll across the screen and listened to those voices around her, she found herself unable to name the feeling in her heart.

She worked as a journalist for years. Every article was carefully written. Every piece of data was repeatedly verified. She never betrayed the press badge on her chest or her own conscience.

Yet now, the truth was covered up with ease, and the very principles she defended became, in the mouths of others, nothing but a misuse of power.

Heavy raindrops crashed down all of a sudden.

The crowd scattered in a rush of startled cries and fled for cover. However, Vivian stood still and let the rain fall around her.

Soon, the world before her eyes became a blur.

Through the hazy curtain of water, she saw a family of three across the street. A father lifted his daughter onto his shoulders. Her laughter was bright and clear beneath the umbrella.

She saw a young couple squeezed beneath one umbrella, the boy shielding the girl in his arms.

Everyone had somewhere they belonged. Yet she alone stood there, abandoned beneath the icy veil of rain.

She did not remember how she made it back to her apartment. She never changed out of her soaked clothes. She stumbled to the sofa and collapsed onto it, as though every last bit of strength had been drained from her body.

Before consciousness faded into darkness, the only thing she felt was the cold.

She knew she had a fever. Yet her body refused to move. She did not even have the strength to lift a finger.

Her consciousness drifted between dreams and reality. In a daze, she felt as though she floated above herself and watched everything from afar.

She saw her mother smile with satisfaction after being comforted by just a few words from her father, already forgetting the humiliation she suffered only days ago.

She saw Sebastian standing beside Evelyn and patiently reminding her again and again about the details she needed to pay attention to during meetings.

She saw the newsroom still brightly lit. Her colleagues continued their work as usual. Her departure left behind no trace.

Eventually, her drifting consciousness fell back into her body.

When she opened her eyes again, sunlight already filled the room.

Her throat was dry and painfully sore. She struggled to sit up and picked up her phone. After looking at the date, she froze.

Three days had passed.

Supporting her weak, unsteady body, Vivian made her way to the bathroom. The mirror reflected a pale, haggard face. She looked so worn and disheveled that even she could barely recognize herself.

She stared at her reflection for a long moment. Then she turned on the shower.

After washing up, she walked into the living room and picked up the suitcase she packed long ago. Then she left without the slightest hesitation.

…

The airport terminal was filled with the gentle sound of announcements.

Vivian passed through security and walked toward the international departure gates.

Beyond the enormous glass walls, planes rose and descended one after another, disappearing toward different horizons.

The boarding announcement sounded. She rose to her feet.

The plane roared down the runway and soared into the sky.

Outside the window, sunlight pierced through the sea of clouds and bathed the world in brilliant gold.