When they left Ashford mansion, it was already nine. Although the rest of Rontrix was still teeming with people, the area where they lived had already become quite deserted, with only a few cars occasionally passing.
The car slid through the quiet road, and Vivienne leaned her head against the car's window — looking outside through the glass. The quiet rhythmic hum of the engine felt soothing to her ears. The red velvet box containing the ruby necklace, along with her sling bag, rested on her lap.
She was tired, really. After such a long day, she just wanted to get home, hit her bed, and have a peaceful and sound sleep. Moreover, sharing the ride with someone she hated to her core — wasn't a delightful experience either.
"Feeling tired?" Damien's voice rang in her ears.
"Hmm.. sleepy, too." She replied reluctantly.
Vivienne glanced at her side, Damien focused on the road, gripping the steering wheel. A perfect fiancé, sending his lover home responsibly.
Suddenly, Vivienne felt sorry for her past self.
In her past life too, Damien had always acted the same. He'd make her feel like a princess and show more love and care than her expectations. He always made her feel like she mattered the most to him.
But what she didn't know was that it was all part of his plan! He took every step with utmost calculation! All the affection he showed, all the love they shared, all the nights they spent together were all fake!
He played a game with her to please Grandma, manipulated her emotionally to snatch away all her achievements, and after destroying her completely, started giving her a cold treatment!
Meanwhile, the naive Vivienne, unknown to all his devious plots, had constantly fallen into his trap.
She thought Damien was doing everything out of love, so she did everything he demanded — gave her designs to Sarah, confined herself inside their apartment, learned to cook and do housework for him, gave birth to his child, erased her own identity completely, becoming only 'Damien's obedient wife'.
And by the time she realized it, it was too late!
She watched silently how everyone distanced her, how she had become a joke, how Sarah had risen to fame, which had to be hers.
She had already lost everything, and in the end — her life.
Thinking about the past, she scoffed. 'Calm down, baby girl. It won't happen. Not in this life.'
Soon, the car pulled up outside the Winter mansion. "There you are," Damien spoke in a light voice.
Vivienne took off her seatbelt. Her hand reached the doorlock, but instead of opening it, she paused for a bit, then looked straight into Damien's eyes.
"Damien, never buy something for me in peach."
Damien was startled by her sudden remark; an astonished reaction left his mouth. "Why?"
She smiled strangely. "Because... I hate peach."
Without another word, Vivienne stepped off, then bent slightly, lowering her head to look at him. "Good night."
"Viv!"
As she was heading inside, his voice from behind stopped her. She looked back.
"Well, we couldn't spend much time together today. What about an ice cream date — tomorrow?"
She smiled back. "Sounds nice!"
"Okay, it's settled then. Bye."
"Bye."
After his car sped off and disappeared from her sight, Vivienne entered the house. The drawing room was empty; usually, at this hour, everyone was in their room.
Vivienne ascended the stairs. She entered her room and closed the door. And...
Her soft expression hardened.
She was behind the walls, in her own room, a place where she didn't need a mask.
She threw the velvet box carelessly on the bed, then strode towards the dressing table. Over the corner lay the peach engagement gown like a wilted flower; torn in many places. She stared at it for a long time, then shoved it inside the waste basket.
-
After a while, she freshened up and lay down flat on the bed. Now that her surroundings were quiet, her brain was working well. She reeled everything that happened today, starting from the University.
She remembered what Esme had told her today about Abigail.
'The girl usually likes bossing around — now what's she actually doing with juniors! Could it be that, she's trying to pass off someone else's design as her own!'
Though she wasn't entirely sure, it could be a reason. Vivienne laughed. Abigail was a troublemaker, but she thought at least she was honest in what she did in her academic career!
'Ah, another misjudgment.'
Vivienne stared blankly at the ceiling, but her mind quickly made a plan. Since she wanted it so bad, she'd give her.
And like that.. an hour passed.
Earlier, she was tired, but now, somehow, sleep seemed to say goodbye to her suddenly! She tossed and turned for some time, then sat up. Stretching her hand, she picked up her mobile from the bedside table.
She scrolled through the blocklist of her phone; there were so many numbers sitting idly. After scrolling down the list for a while, finally she found it.
The number she had blocked two years ago. The person, in her past life she'd never contacted with, till her last breath. A person, she vowed not to meet again in her life.
With a single tap, she unblocked it.
Since she had decided to correct her past mistakes, she had to correct this mistake, too!
Her hands slightly trembled as she dialed the number. She sat silently, holding the phone to her ear, holding her breath. She was skeptical, if the person had blcoked her. But as soon as the phone started ringing, her anxiety increased.
The call was almost disconnected when it was answered — at the last moment.
But there was no answer from the other end, only the sound of heavy breathing indicated that someone was holding the phone. After sitting quietly for a while, Vivienne broke the silence.
"I didn't expect you not to blacklist my number."
Another long silence preceded the answer in a sharp-pitched voice. "I also didn't expect you to call me again."