Thirty minutes later, as Kristen had finally stabilized in her room and allowed visitors, Vivian and Otis walked in. Seeing Kristen lying on the hospital bed, her spirit seemingly lifted despite her red, blotchy face, and both breathed a sigh of relief. Kristen welcomed them with a weak smile, her face flushed red. "I'm so glad you guys are here." Vivian approached the bed and gently hugged Kristen, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders as she saw her friend's spirits improving. "Are you okay?" Her voice held a tinge of emotion. Kristen chuckled softly. "I'm fine, really... Let me introduce you. This is Otis Evans, my boyfriend. I'm guessing this is your first time meeting, right?" Vivian hesitated momentarily before responding, "I've met Otis before. We used to work together." Otis glanced at her and nodded. "Yeah, we've met. It's been a while." Vivian's heart raced, hoping her response sounded natural. She didn't want to reveal Otis Evans' true identity, especially not to Kr
Vivian strode into work the following day with an unmistakable spring in her step. The reverberation of last night's concert infused her mood with a lingering excitement. Balancing a folder of documents and blueprints in her arms, she approached Louis's office. A gentle smile played on her lips, but her anticipation met an unexpected chill in his gaze. Though she had been adamant about keeping matters of the heart separate from the workplace, something prompted her to break her rule. She summoned her courage and asked, "Is something bothering you, boss?" Louis, absorbed in his task of reviewing contracts, didn't spare her a glance. His response was curt, "Nothing." Vivian's intuition told her that this wasn't just another ordinary day. Something had clearly thrown him off balance. Her smile wavered for a moment, and she nodded, conceding. She turned to leave, her mind swirling with thoughts. It wasn't the right moment to push for answers. As Vivian stepped out of the office, she fe
Vivian woke up to find herself nestled beside Louis. A gentle smile crept onto her lips as she traced her fingers lightly over his peacefully slumbering face.The contrast between the passionate and vulnerable man she had encountered the previous night and the tranquil figure beside her now left her astounded. His features were relaxed, and his defenses seemed to have diminished in his sleep. It was in moments like these that Vivian could genuinely feel the presence of this man beside her as a comforting reality.Louis's eyes slowly fluttered open, and a warm, lazy smile formed on his lips as he met Vivian's gaze. His voice, tinged with a hint of morning huskiness, greeted her, "Good morning, bae."But before she could respond, he deftly turned toward her, pinning her beneath him. His lips gently met hers, and his large frame enveloped her. The echoes of last night lingered in his mind, making restraint impossible.Her hand snaked to rest on his shoulder as she teased, "Don't you ever
Vivian faced her stepfather, her eyes red and swollen from tears. She knew that any resistance now could lead to undesirable consequences. While fear gripped her heart, she was determined to stay calm."Stepfather," Vivian said, her voice unwavering. "We can talk about everything without resorting to these terrifying methods."Her stepfather, John, let out a chilling laugh, a far cry from his former self. "Vivian, you're living in your own world with those delusions. You should listen to me, young lady."Vivian struggled to breathe evenly to control her emotions. "Stepfather, I don't understand why you and Mom are doing this. We can talk, discuss everything, and find a way to resolve this."John approached Vivian, holding the syringe. "Vivian, if you keep talking, I'll shoot you instead of injecting drugs into you!"Vivian's heart pounded as she continued to stall, hoping for the moment she had been waiting for. Just as her hope seemed to be fading, when her stepfather cornered her ag
The next morning, Vivian stirred from a dream, ensconced within the warmth of Louis's arms. Opening her eyes, she found his gaze already on her, a sleepy softness still evident. Her heart swelled with emotion, memories of the previous day flooding back — the perilous moment when she had almost lost him forever.With clarity, she understood the depth of her feelings for Louis and cherished the protective comfort of his embrace.Noticing the glint of tears in her eyes, Louis delicately brushed them away with his thumb, murmuring, "It's okay now. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."Hearing those words, Vivian's heart fluttered. She recalled the obstacles they had overcome to be together.Louis gently cradled Vivian's face, drawing her closer. Their lips met in a whisper of a kiss, teasing and tender. Breaking away, she let out a soft laugh, standing and wrapping herself in a blanket. She threw a playful glance towards the bed, where Louis lay exposed."Seems you're feeling quite free
Vivian and Louis flew back to the city the next day. Her life returned to its usual, peaceful rhythm.Louis sat in silent contemplation in the car on the way to work, occasionally adjusting the steering wheel. "Do you want to meet my parents?" he asked, breaking the silence with a glance towards Vivian.Vivian was taken aback by Louis' suggestion. It felt like a tempest was raging inside her, consuming her entire being. She was plagued by anxiety, uncertainty, and the looming fear of encountering potential prejudices against her. At the same time, she yearned to take on this challenge.She paused for a moment, swallowed the knot in her throat, and replied, "Yes, I would like to meet them."Louis looked at Vivian and gently placed his hand on hers. "Don't be concerned. "You'll be fine."Her worries, however, remained deep within her. Vivian realized she was about to enter a battle surrounded by the elite, where she would be the only unarmed combatant.Louis's family mansion was hidden
Vivian remained silent and contemplative as Louis drove away from the grand mansion and onto the winding roads. Her introspection had been heightened by the unexpected meeting at the mansion.Louis finally broke the silence after what seemed like an eternity. "Vivian," he started cautiously.She turned to face him, her gaze drawn to the expression on his face. "What's on your mind, Louis?"He took a deep breath and said. "You see, Amanda Evans is very close to my mother, almost as if she were her daughter. I hadn't expected to see both of them today."Vivian blinked in surprise, then teased, "You afraid I'd get mad, bae?"Louis looked her in the eyes with tenderness. "I just wanted to protect you.""I believe that if I chose to be with you, I'd have to face those who wish me harm," she said firmly. I'm no longer afraid because you're by my side."Vivian tightened her grip on his hand in response. Whatever the future held for them, they would face it together.When Louis's car pulled u
Amanda had consumed far too much, and her usual poised demeanor had now crumbled into a state of disarray. "There, it's going to be all right," Emma reassured, her voice a gentle whisper. Amanda raised her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Brian... he treats me so terribly," she choked out, her voice quivering. "He still loves Vivian." I can feel it. I'm just... not enough for him. I want to get back at him." "And Vivian, too," Emma sneered. She must have reconnected with Brian. She's always been that way." "But I adore him, Emma." I really do. "How can I be so stupid?" Amanda muttered, her voice nearly drowned out by the din of the bar. "And as for Vivian, she's now Louis Morris' girlfriend," Amanda continued, taking another sip of her drink. I'll find any way I can to tell his mother and tear them apart. Vivian doesn't deserve such good fortune!" Emma's eyes flashed with rage when she heard the name Louis Morris, a wave of jealousy engulfing her mind. "She's a harl
Two months had slipped by since Vivian retreated to this peaceful corner of the world, a decision shrouded in silence. As she sat on the bench, hands gently resting on her growing belly, she whispered apologies to the life stirring within her. "My dear child, I'm so sorry. I'm just so afraid that your father might not truly love me," she confessed to the soft breeze, her voice a blend of love and fear.Her solitude was interrupted by the rustle of the newspaper she picked up, the headlines grabbing her attention with a shock so profound it felt physical. Emma and Steven, caught in a web of conspiracy and attempted murder against Brian. The reality seemed too surreal, too distant from the life she once knew.The phone rang, pulling her further from her thoughts. Kristen's voice crackled through, tinged with disbelief. "Vivian, have you heard? Emma and Steven were arrested for trying to kill Brian.""Yes, I saw," Vivian replied, the weight of the news settling in. "I can't believe they w
Louis returned home to a silence that was unsettling. The absence of Vivian's presence turned the once comforting space into a void that echoed with his growing concern. He waited until nightfall, hope dwindling with each passing hour, but there was no sign of her. Desperation clawed at his chest as he dialed her number, only to be met with the cold indifference of a voicemail. Kristen's line was equally unyielding, offering no solace, no clue to Vivian's whereabouts.Panic set in, a relentless tide that washed over him, urging action. He drove to Kristen's house, the urgency of his mission fueling his speed. But the house stood silent, its windows dark, a mute testament to his deepest fears. Vivian was nowhere to be found.His mind raced as he contacted his private investigator, the words tumbling out in a frantic plea for assistance. "Find her," he implored, the command a lifeline thrown into the vast uncertainty that had engulfed him.Attempts to reach Otis, Kristen's boyfriend, yi
Louis shattered the stillness, his whisper slicing through the gloom, "I love you, Viv. Beyond anything else." His tone, a tender stroke, acted as a balm to the storm of sentiments raging within Vivian. Silence was her response, her heartbeat a drumbeat of confusion, as she navigated through her maelstrom of apprehensions and longing. Her memory of their shared past was a blank slate.In a surge of impulsivity, Vivian cast aside the pillow, her action louder than any spoken word. The chasm between them closed as Louis encircled her in his embrace, pulling her to him. Vivian sought refuge in his arms, her head against his chest, attuned to the consistent beat of his heart. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, the reason for her weeping unclear, possibly the purest expression of her soul.Louis's hand gently swept across Vivian's back. "Life without you is unimaginable," he murmured, his breath a warm caress on her nape.Elevating her gaze to his, the anguish in his look, the unfiltered sinc
The kiss persisted, and neither of them appeared to want to break it. However, as the tension grew, Vivian softly pushed Louis away, bit her lip, and murmured, "Just one kiss. That's all there is to it.""Thanks, bae," Louis muttered as he took a step back, his hand caressing his lips. "It's quite tasty."Vivian's cheeks turned pink, and she muttered, "You smudged my lipstick!"Vivian motioned for Louis to stand still after the kiss; her hands intended to continue applying his makeup, but she paused for a second. His fierce and scorching look made her uneasy. "Close your eyes," she said, trying to temper the fire in his gaze, which threatened to distract her.Louis closed his eyes and surrendered to her touch. Vivian worked painstakingly in the silence that followed, her hands steady as she etched the image of a skeleton onto his skin.Vivian took a step back after thirty minutes, when it was completed satisfactorily. "Open your eyes," she said, motioning with her hand. When Louis agr
Vivian's recuperation was visible two days after she was released from the hospital, a gentle return to the world she previously knew. Louis tentatively approached the subject of their living arrangements after finishing the discharge formalities. "Would you mind staying with me? I want us to be close so you can recall our shared memories more quickly," he said, his words tinged with hope. Vivian shook her head, watching the expressions on his face. His brief disappointment tugged at her emotions, and she knew the depth of his adoration was genuine. "I'd rather you stay with me at my place," she finally added, expressing a need for routine and some sort of control in a life that had suddenly been turned upside down. Louis's face lit up, a stark contrast to the stern mask he usually wore. The powerful guy, who was always so composed, reveled in the simple confirmation of a lady he adored. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, a show of love. He contacted his assistant righ
"I will never leave you alone." Louis assured her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a reassuring smile.His assistant made arrangements to move them to the hospital's most luxurious suite—a room that felt almost like home and had space for him to remain by her side.Before granting them privacy, Kristen shared a secret with Louis, her eyes clouded with sadness. "When she was fifteen, a burglar broke into her house on a night she was alone," Kristen confided. "Ever since, Vivian has been terrified of sleeping alone. It took years for her to overcome that fear. Please be patient with her."Louis nodded in understanding. "I will," he promised, a solemn vow made to both Kristen and himself. For the first time, he was privy to the shadows that lingered in Vivian's past.That night, as Vivian lay beside him, her breaths deep and even, her brow would occasionally furrow in her sleep, as if she were fending off nightmares. Louis watched over her, a silent guardian against the darkness of
Kristen burst into the room, her quick steps and tears streaming down her cheeks saying more than the words she could say. As she lay down, her gaze was fixed on Vivian's eyes. Otis also hugged Kristen tightly, as if to tell her not to worry too much because it would harm the baby in her womb. "Are you ok?" Kristen's voice was a trembling whisper, a stark contrast to the strength she usually exuded. Vivian smiled softly, relieved to finally meet the only person she remembered. "No problem, Kristen. I'm perfectly fine!" Vivian's gaze then shifted to Louis, and she made a suggestion. "Could you please step outside, Louis?" "I need to talk to Kristen." She just wanted this conversation to be private so she could confirm a few things. Louis nodded and walked away with Otis, leaving the two women alone with their thoughts. Kristen sat down next to Vivian's bed and gently held her hand. Her eyes welled up with tears as she remembered the moment she learned the bad news. Her heart clench
An hour later, Louis was granted the permission to see her. He sat beside her, his gaze settling on the cheeks that once bloomed with health, now pallid and lifeless. Her breathing was faint, almost imperceptible. The bloodshot threads in his eyes stood out starkly.He kept her company through the night, as though his presence could somehow bind her soul to this realm. The night pressed on, and he remained, unable to tear his eyes away for even a second. Fatigue enveloped him, yet he stayed, watching over her. He feared that the moment he succumbed to sleep might be the very moment she slipped through his fingers."Vivian, I love you deeply. I am sorry for everything."What if her memories of them had been irretrievably lost? Would she despise him, pushing him away, denying him the chance to be close to her?Louis's mind was a tempest of confusion, yet his heart clung to hope, ready to do anything for her happiness.The longest night in Louis's life had ebbed away. Vivian finally bega
The car collided with Vivian with devastating force, sending her delicate frame sprawling to the ground, unconscious and drenched in her own blood. Vanessa, gripping the steering wheel, was engulfed in a tidal wave of panic, her senses overwhelmed. "Damn it!" She screamed, pounding her fists against the wheel. Her heart thudded wildly as she realized the severity of her actions. In a state of utter terror, she floored the accelerator, fleeing the scene at a dizzying speed. Bystanders watched in horrified disbelief, witnessing the brutality of the moment unfold before their eyes. The air was thick with cries of shock and the frenzied sound of people pulling out their phones, dialing emergency services and reporting to the police. Chaos reigned, punctuated by a sense of urgency and disbelief. Amidst the pandemonium, Louis arrived, his face draining of color as he took in the horrific sight before him. Vivian, the woman he held dear, lay in a pool of her own blood, her body seemingly