LOGINVivienne’s POV
My body trembled violently. I could barely stand. There wasn’t a lot of air in the room. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I turned and ran to the toilet. The ringing in my head drowned out Julian's words, which I couldn't hear. After getting to the bathroom, I started vomiting so much that my body went limp. I had no idea if it was the disgust of what I'd heard or whether it felt like the tumor was crushing me physically.? A worker from the company squirmed as she gazed at me in the bathroom. Her face covered in panic as she quickly handed me some tissues. I seized the tissue with red-eyed eyes and made a bitter smile, whispering, "Thank you. Julian, please stay quiet about your presence.” After twisting around, I left with my body in a state of motion. Each move was a heavy weight, as if I were being pulled along like someone else's hollow man. The memory of my first meeting Julian made me feel like I was walking down the corridor from my room to my new home, seven years ago. In those days, I continued to be a prominent jewelry designer on the international stage, working for my elder brother's high-end label. I felt I was respected in the international fashion world, confident and independent. Julian was completely unfamiliar to me. During a business trip, something embarrassing occurred. I left the hotel when my gown suddenly ripped. In public, my body was almost completely exposed. I felt a sense of panic and shame as I was frozen in place, until he was stopped by slender Maybach. Julian Fitzgerald, the man who would change my life forever, was present from that car. He bent down, took off his suit jacket which had been well-worn on and handed it to me. He calmly stated, "You can tie it around your waist." That brief remark immediately calmed the nerves in my heart. Upon seeing his graceful and beautiful face, I immediately fell in love with him. That's when I knew he was still there. To get closer to Julian, I requested my brother to find a way for me to work with his company. I started to approach him slowly, aware that his heart remained attached to his first love, Ophelia, despite her not having left him without saying goodbye. I didn't give up even though I knew what I was doing. Then one night, everything changed. We both had been drinking at a bar. That night, we crossed a line after crossing one. My pregnancy led to marriage. My memory of our wedding night is still fresh. Gathering all my strength, I asked why he had chosen to marry me even though I never took any responsibility. For the first time, Julian, who is usually cold and aloof, looked up to me with suspicion. He made it clear that his intention was to have a family with the person and their child. The answer gave me confidence in him. From that point on, I was fully invested in our marriage. My brother's strong disapproval was ignored as I adored Julian, took care of Maximilian, and even gave up my career. I desired to settle down and enjoy being a wife and mother without any worries. But now, everything had crumbled. My decision to end my marriage was a futile sacrifice. Julian had never been married to me since the beginning. His heart had been entirely possessed by another woman for seven years, and he had only been pretending. I felt a sudden tightness in my chest, almost as though someone was punching me. My life was nothing more than a cruel joke, everything I believed was true. Despite the agony, I had a choice. In the event of a successful surgery in ten days, I would opt for Maximilian and depart. Julian would no longer be a source of concern for us. He would have the freedom to marry anyone he desired, including Ophelia. But I was moved again by the memory of my son. I hurried home. Upon entering the house, I became frozen as Maximilian's voice interrupted my conversation with the head butler. This caused me to become frowning. “Mr. Butler, if Mommy would feel sad upon realizing that my father was only pretending to be married to another woman,” Maximilian asked. My heart stopped. The attendant gave a faint smile and asked, "What's the next step? Mr. Julian doesn't love Mrs. Vivienne. That's something you already know, young man.” Standing there, I experienced a burning sensation in my eyes. Maximilian chuckled and expressed his disapproval, saying, "I don't like Mommy either." I like Aunt Ophelia better. She's so gentle. Whenever Mommy brings me to Daddy's office, my Aunt Ophelia provides me with delicious treats and toys. Those words consumed my soul to tears. "Mom always complains about snacks and tell me to study all the time. She's so annoying! I desire that Aunt Ophelia and Daddy wed." I grasped my fists tightly, and my nails pierced through my palms. Thank goodness. It hurt like a dream, and I thought I might just collapse there." Julian and I were raised with love and care, but the boy I spent ten months in was just like me. Cold. Unfeeling. Each time I looked back, the tender memories of our family life were all around me. They were not happiness, but a beautifully packaged delusion that I could see clearly. I recollected my brother, who had always opposed my marriage. He had expressed his belief that I would simply suffer. I should've listened. The knowledge of Julian and Maximilian would likely result in their separation without any mercy. My eyes burned again. With tears streaming down my face, I drew closer to the stairs and moved towards them. My belief that I was living for my husband and son led me to live without fear of death. For that reason, I opted for the hazardous surgery. But all that hope had been shattered by those reasons. I walked into the living room, held my phone with shaking hands and dialed the number I had memorized. When I heard the line coming, I spoke softly and with a strong voice. “I want a divorce. Would you mind coming to see me?”Julians POVDylan. Pulled me into the room. The billiard table was all set, with bottles of alcohol lined up and smoke coming from a people's hands. I did not touch anything. I even refused the cigarette that Dylan usually handed me out of habit.We had barely started playing for five minutes when one of them said, "Hey why are you not drinking? Are you sick or something?"I just shook my head.Someone else said, "No cigarettes ? What is going on? Did you stop drinking and smoking?"Dylan cut in quickly which made me look at him. "Julian is just taking care of his health. He is going to be a father."The whole room erupted.Everyone was saying things like "What? Seriously?" and "Second kid?" and "Congratulations, Julian!"They all came up to me patting my back and hitting my shoulder to congratulate me. The room was really loud. Someone yelled for the bartender to bring out drinks to celebrate.I stood there
Julian's POV I let out a long breath and closed my eyes.If I go to see her now, what will I do? Stand at her door and say I'm going to be a dad again? That my life is going in a way that may take me from her for good?Her face showed up again. Thinner now, but still trying to grin. Her look always calm even when she was stopping pain.She never asked anything from me.That’s what makes this even harder.Ophelia, on the flip side, asks. I want to be sure. I need you here. Now holds a task that isn't big.I saw my own hands. The hands that once took Vivienne's in the room when Maximilian was born. The same hands that may now need to hold Ophelia's in͏ that same room some months from now.What kind of life is this?I got up fast and started walking around the room. The coat I had on felt too close, too binding. I yanked off my tie and tossed it onto a desk.“Why now?” I muttered in frustration.
Julian’s POVMy head felt like it was stuffed with heavy fog. Since coming back to the office this afternoon, I haven’t been able to pay attention to anything. The papers on my desk were just stuff I looked at without really seeing. Figures, reports, plans they all went by me without sense.What’s making my head spin isn’t work anymore.Not even exhaustion from lack of sleep.But Ophelia is pregnant.I leaned back in a chair, rubbing my head softly. Somehow, it seemed like the whole world was closing in, pushing against ͏my chest from all sides.How did this happen?We were always careful. Extremely careful.All this time, I never thought of that chance. Not even in my dreams!But yesterday, Doctor John said it with surety.Two months pregnant.That means it took place just after our big clash. When I was trying to mend a bond that was close to breaking. When I was still working hard to ke
Vivienne's POV I had never given myself time for things like that before. My life used to revolve around Maximilian, work, the house and then hospital corridors. There was no space for art that came from my heart. Everything was too full.Now in the middle of pain and loneliness that space existed.Space to get to know me.Perhaps the real me, the one who had never had the chance to surface.I held the flyer a little tighter, feeling it as a spark of hope.“This weekend." I murmured softly. "If my body is strong enough I’ll go.”The wind blew gently again brushing the ends of my hair and making me smile more. The sea seemed to be encouraging me. The world seemed to be saying there were still things for me to see even if everything had felt so dark not long ago.I looked at the flyer again. I read every word carefully afraid the letters might change if I blinked long. Art ExhibitionThe sea and s
Vivienne's POV I didn’t feel jealous of them.I just felt different.My hand unconsciously touched my stomach. Not because it hurt. Just a reflex. This body had endured much in the past few months: needles, medication, nausea, sleepless nights. It was still here with me.“Thank you." I whispered softly to myself.The wind blew again a bit stronger this time. The plastic bags rustled beside me. I turned toward the sea stretching across the road. Its color had changed as the sun rose higher. The pale bluish this morning is now brighter and more alive.I remembered the painting I had made earlier. The blue strokes not yet fully dry, the tilted horizon line. The ocean on my canvas looked restless. With light at its edge.Maybe that was what I was learning now life didn’t have to return to what it used to be to have meaning.My phone vibrated softly inside my bag. My heart jumped for a second as a reflex whenever the
Viviennes POVI grabbed my small bag, the one I usually took when I had to step out for a bit and checked that my wallet, phone and mask were inside. My breathing was a bit heavy. I could still go on. I had to go to the minimarket. I couldn’t wait for Julian to come at the end of the week. On days like this I had to stand on my own.As I closed the apartment door the sea breeze hit my face. The familiar salty smell calmed me down a bit. I walked slowly down the stairs. Each step echoed through my weak body but I kept going.The minimarket was a three-minute walk from the apartment building but today it felt longer. My head throbbed a bit, not pain tired. It was like my body was asking me to go and lie down.If I didn’t go now I wouldn’t have enough drinking water for today. The doctor had reminded me many times that hydration was crucial after chemotherapy.When the minimarket door opened, a cool air from the air conditioner washed over me. I







