97: Solo Journey

Mr. Sullivan, seated at the head of the table, took a moment to glance at Vivienne again, his curiosity from earlier still lingering. He leaned in slightly, his deep voice cutting through the chatter as he addressed her directly. "So, Vivienne," he began, his tone friendly but probing, "tell me a little about yourself. How did you meet Noah? I imagine there’s quite the story there.”

Vivienne paused, feeling the weight of his attention, but she met his gaze with that same calm grace she’d shown before. “It’s not as interesting as you might think,” she said, a soft smile playing on her lips. “We were in high school together. Later, I moved out of the country and recently, we reconnected at Angelina's wedding."

Mr. Sullivan’s eyes narrowed in a thoughtful way, though his smile remained. “High school sweethearts, then?” he mused. “That explains why Noah seems... different tonight. A little more alive, perhaps?”

"You have got it all wrong, Uncle," Angelina chimed in at this moment. "In hig