Chapter 257: What Place Do I Hold in Your Heart

“Save your thanks,” Sienna warned, her tone stern. “Should you ever bring sorrow to Vivienne or harm her, rest assured, I’ll make you deeply regret it.”

Just outside, Vivienne heard the exchange and felt a sharp pang in her heart. Sienna’s words touched the most sensitive parts of her being. Emotions surged within Vivienne, bringing tears to her eyes unexpectedly. Yet, there was also a sense of relief mixed with the sorrow.

Growing up in a troubled environment, Vivienne had resigned herself to the notion that love was not meant for her. She had prepared herself for a lifetime of neglect and disappointment. However, Sienna’s presence in her life began to shift that bleak outlook. The realization that she had someone like Sienna, who genuinely cared, lightened the burden of her past miseries.

Drying her tears, Vivienne entered the room with a gentle smile, saying, “I’ve returned.” The meal went longer than typical, shedding any stiffness of a formal engagement and instead adopting the relaxed tone of friends sharing a respite. But, like everything good, it couldn’t last forever.

They said their goodbyes in the parking lot. After Sienna departed, Vivienne and Derek headed to their car.

“Sienna’s quite direct; don’t take her words to heart,” Vivienne said.

As Derek adjusted his tie, he looked at her quizzically. “Are you playing peacemaker?”

Vivienne laughed lightly. “I’m more concerned you’ll hold a grudge against her.”

Raising an eyebrow, Derek’s smile grew teasing. “Shouldn’t you be worried about me instead?”

“What is there to worry about with you?”

Although she had only seen a slice of Derek’s true character, her intuition assured her he was never one to be easily overshadowed.

Vivienne’s tone warmed as she said, “Before meeting Sienna, I felt quite alone. I’ll always support her. It’s best if you steer clear of her.”

Derek’s expression grew thoughtful as he leaned closer, his hand delicately framing her face while his thumb grazed her lip. They were inches apart, their proximity charged with the tension of an imminent kiss.

“You really are remarkable,” he whispered. “To defend her so fiercely in front of me—do I mean so little to you?”

Nobody had ever confronted him so boldly before. Sienna’s words, “I will make you deeply regret it,” echoed in his mind. He had already treated Sienna with utmost courtesy.

Vivienne raised her head slightly, her lips grazing his as she whispered, “I needed you to see how much Sienna means to me.”

“And where does that leave me?” Derek questioned, his gaze intense, his tone hinting at ownership.

Vivienne blinked softly, her eyes conveying a mix of emotions. Derek’s touch shifted, his hand sliding to cradle the back of her neck, his fingers weaving through her hair to draw her nearer. He whispered, “Darling, what place do I hold in your heart?”