LOGINVivienne’s POVWhen I saw Isabella standing beside Alexander, my chest tightened sharply, as if something inside me had been pulled too far… and finally snapped.I lowered my eyes immediately, nudging Sophie lightly.She followed my gaze.The moment she saw them, her smile faded.Cold.Sharp.But we still walked forward.“CEO Ashford,” Sophie greeted politely.Alexander gave a brief nod, his expression indifferent… as if our presence carried no weight at all.That was when I understood.This meeting hadn’t been arranged by Julian.Sophie had brought me here.And we had walked straight into this.“Vivienne… Miss Sophie…” Isabella looked startled.Her gaze flickered between us, her voice turning hurried and unsteady.“I didn’t know you would be here. I’m sorry… I… Alexander and I…”I watched her quietly.But what caught my attention wasn’t her panic.It was him.The way Alexander’s eyes stayed on her.Careful. Protective.As if her emotions mattered more than anything else in the room.
Vivienne’s POVI was startled when the door suddenly opened and looked up at him.Alexander stepped inside slowly, closing the door behind him.“Why did you move to this room?” he asked.“I wanted a change of scenery. I’ll move back later,” I replied calmly.“Do you need something?”He frowned slightly at my tone, then pulled out a black credit card and placed it on the nightstand, pushing it toward me.“If there’s anything you want, just buy it.”I glanced at the card briefly.“No need. You can keep it. I’m not losing anything.”“This is something I promised you. I went back on my word, and I should make up for it,” he said, his voice firm.I pressed my lips together.“Really, there’s no need.”“Don’t be polite with me,” he said, his gaze sharpening.“Vivienne, I know you’re distancing yourself on purpose, but there’s no need.”His next words landed heavier than anything else.“After the divorce, you’ll still be Pop-Pop and Nana’s most cherished granddaughter.We won’t stop seeing ea
Alexander’s POV ContThe car pulled into the hospital parking lot. I stepped out immediately and headed straight toward the psychologist’s office without slowing down.I knocked once before pushing the door open.“Mr. Alexander Ashford, Miss Blackwood’s session is over,” the psychologist said. “Her condition has not improved. It has actually worsened. I gave her a sedative so she could rest.”I listened in silence, my expression dark. “I understand.”“Mr. Ashford,” he continued, his tone more serious, “you need to understand how critical this is. She was showing signs of recovery not long ago, but in the past two days there has been a clear decline. If this continues, she may fall into severe depression, and that will be far more difficult to treat.”I nodded once.Isabella’s condition had started worsening the moment she learned about my marriage.I walked to her bedside slowly. Her face was pale, her breathing light and fragile. A heavy sense of guilt settled in my chest.She used t
Vivienne’s POVAlexander’s expression changed the moment Julian’s name came up. His jaw tightened and his lips pressed into a thin line, and even though he tried to suppress it, the anger was obvious.He always reacted like this whenever Julian was mentioned, as if the mere idea of a connection between us was unacceptable.It felt almost absurd.I looked at him steadily and asked if there was anything else, because my patience was already running thin.He did not answer immediately. After a few seconds, he spoke again, his tone serious, asking what had happened the night before. There was something sharp beneath his calm voice, something close to restrained anger.“I don’t owe you an explanation,” I replied coldly.Those were his words from before. I was simply returning them exactly as he had once given them to me.His brows drew together, and he pressed his fingers against his forehead as if holding back frustration. He told me not to act impulsively, clearly assuming that I had don
Vivienne’s POVAt the hospital, the doctor examined me and said there was nothing seriously wrong.But my heart still felt uneasy.I hesitated before speaking.“I’m pregnant… will falling into the water affect the baby?”The doctor paused and reviewed my report again before answering that, to be safe, I should go to the obstetrics department for a detailed examination.I nodded, took the referral paper, and walked out.Julian was waiting outside.The moment he saw me, he stepped forward, his brows drawn tightly with worry.“How is it?”“There’s nothing serious,” I said. “But I need to do another check.”Then I added gently, “You should go back. You’ve already done enough.”He shook his head immediately.“I’m already here. It’s not trouble.”I smiled faintly and shook my head.“The hospital is crowded. You didn’t wear a mask. If someone recognizes you, it’ll cause trouble.”Julian sighed softly.He understood.In the end, he nodded.“Call me when you’re done.”“I will.”I went to the o
Vivienne’s POVI followed Alexander to the front row of the auction hall. The lights were bright, and the stage was already set. Guests in elegant clothes filled every seat.I held his arm as we walked in, just as we were expected to in public.A small hope lingered in my heart.Tonight… maybe he would stay beside me.Maybe, just once, I would not lose to Isabella.Then I saw her.Isabella was already seated in the front row. She turned and smiled the moment she saw Alexander.“Alexander, over here.”Her voice was soft. Familiar.Alexander paused. He glanced at me briefly… then gently removed my hand from his arm.“Go ahead,” he said quietly.And walked toward her.My steps stopped.For a moment, I could not move.The smile on my lips faded slowly.So this was the truth.He had only brought me here because of his grandparents.It was never about me.“What are you standing there for?” he asked when he noticed I had not followed.I lowered my eyes and forced myself forward.I sat beside







