Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 121 - Chapitre 130

(Vivian’s POV)“Wow, look who’s betraying me.”Summer’s voice cut through the restaurant air like a knife. Sharp. Unforgiving. But not unexpected.I smiled bitterly and looked down at the glass in my hands. I deserved it.“I’m sorry,” I said, quietly. “I know I disappeared.”“You didn’t disappear,” she snapped. “You vanished. Without a word. You left me and your entire life behind like it was nothing.”I didn’t speak. There was nothing I could say that would fix the hurt in her voice.Summer sighed and leaned back in her chair. Her eyes softened, though the storm still lingered behind them. “Do you even know how terrified I was? You called me once—once—and told me not to tell anyone. Not even my own uncle.”Kai.She didn’t say his name, but we both knew who she meant.“I had to, Summer,” I said quietly. “I wasn’t ready. And I wasn’t safe.”Summer’s brow furrowed. “You think I’d betray you?”“No. I was afraid he’d betray you. Or use you.” I swallowed the guilt. “He knows you’re my best

(Vivian’s POV)“Grande oat milk latte, one shot espresso, no sugar, please,” I said to the barista with a polite smile, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.It was just another morning. Or so I told myself. I tried to hold onto the comfort of routine. The predictability of my daily coffee run. The illusion that life had finally settled into something manageable again.I reached for my wallet, already pulling out my card when I heard a familiar voice behind me—cool, firm, unmistakable.“I’ll pay for that,” he said, sliding a black card smoothly onto the counter.I froze.I knew that voice too well.Too deep. Too calm. Too dangerous for the walls I’d built.I turned slowly, and every part of me braced for the inevitable impact.It was him.Kai.Wearing a tailored charcoal suit, his dark hair a little messy, like he hadn’t bothered taming it. His face unreadable as ever, but his eyes…Those cold, piercing eyes were on me, unwavering.I blinked, disbelief crashing through me like waves

(Vivian’s POV)“Is that the person who wants to buy your old studio?” Martha asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity as I ended the call.I let out a long breath before setting my phone on the desk. “Yes, someone named Matteo. He said he’s representing a client. They’re offering fifteen percent above market price.”Martha’s eyes widened. “Fifteen percent? That’s more than generous. Your old studio isn’t bad at all, but it’s not exactly in a prime location.”“That’s exactly what’s making me hesitate,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “It’s a decent place, sure, but it’s not luxurious. Not enough to warrant that kind of offer. It’s… too good.”Martha tilted her head. “Maybe they need it urgently. Or maybe the buyer is just rich and doesn’t care about money.”“Maybe,” I murmured, though something in my gut remained unsettled.“Are you going to meet him tomorrow?”“Yes. At Caelum Bistro. Matteo said he’d meet me there at noon to discuss the details and paperwork.”“Want me to come

(Vivian's POV)It was Saturday afternoon when I pushed my cart down the aisle of the local supermarket. Darius walked beside me, scanning a handwritten grocery list while I loaded fresh vegetables into the cart."Don’t forget the basil," I reminded him."Got it. Fresh, not dried. Chef Vivian would scold me otherwise."I chuckled. "You're a fast learner,” I said, “I just don’t want to forget anything. It’s a rare occasion having someone over for dinner.”“Someone, or someones?” Darius teased as he picked out a packet of fresh herbs.I smiled. “Summer’s bringing dessert, so we don’t need to worry about that.”“And she’s late,” he added, glancing at his watch.“She said she’d catch up. We might as well finish the shopping.”Just as I was reaching for a basket of tomatoes, an older woman walked past us and paused, eyeing us with a warm smile.“You two make such a beautiful couple,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.Before I could open my mouth, Darius had already wrapped one arm around

(Vivian’s POV)Dinner had ended—at least the main course—and I had barely touched my food. My appetite had long vanished the moment I opened the door and found Kai standing behind Summer. Since then, I have done everything I could to avoid him. But now, as I sat at the outdoor table in the side yard, I realized there was nowhere left to run.I was seated next to Darius, while Summer sat beside Kai. Unfortunately, that left Kai directly across from me. His gaze—sharp and unreadable—hadn't left me since we sat down. Every time I met his eyes, I quickly looked away. It was like being stripped bare by a man who already knew every inch of your body, every crack in your armor, every place you were weakest.Darius, as always, remained attentive and light-hearted, chatting about everything from food to art. Summer threw in jokes that made Darius laugh, while Kai remained silent, his expression unreadable, sipping his wine like he belonged there.Until my foot accidentally brushed against some