Chapter 384
Nathan pulled Vivian to her feet and guided her to the glass table. He opened the food containers one by one, and the aroma of freshly cooked pasta and savory meat filled the air, instantly making her mouth water. Just moments ago, Vivian hadn’t felt hungry, but now, with those delicious smells, her stomach rumbled like an empty drum. She gave an awkward smile. “Thanks.”
Nathan handed her a fork. “No need to thank me. I’ve staked half my fortune on you. You can’t afford to fail.” Vivian took a bite of pasta and mumbled, “Relax, I can only succeed—failure’s not an option.” Their shadows overlapped on the wall, looking especially warm and intimate. Nathan looked down at her, his eyes soft with a tenderness Vivian didn’t notice. As he watched her, a smile crept onto his face without him realizing it.
Vivian glanced at him in confusion. “What are you smiling about?” Nathan replied, “You’ve got some meat sauce at the corner of your mouth.” “Oh, really?” Vivian reached up to wipe it off, but Nathan beat her to it, his fingers gently brushing her cheek. The unexpected touch made them both freeze. Their eyes met for a split second before Vivian quickly looked away, and Nathan cleared his throat awkwardly. “Sorry,” he muttered. “It’s fine. Let’s eat,” Vivian said quickly. “Okay.” Nathan nodded awkwardly.
Three days later, Vivian returned home and was surprised by a number of new faces. “Are you all new here?” she asked curiously. “Yes, Ms. Hart,” one of them replied. Vivian thought, ‘Didn’t we already have enough staff? Why are there so many more people now?’ “Move aside,” a voice called out from behind her. It was Amber.
Vivian grabbed Amber’s arm. “Wait, why are there so many people at home? What’s all this about?” Amber pulled her hand away, looking curious. “What else could it be? They’re here to work, obviously. You haven’t been home for days. I thought you moved out.” “I’ve just been a bit busy lately,” Vivian replied.
“Sienna, you’re home too?” Vivian called out, spotting Sienna and striding over. Amber reached out to stop her. “Don’t get too close—Sienna’s got a baby on the way.” “What? Wait, what?” Vivian’s eyes widened in shock. “Sienna, are you really pregnant?” Vivian blurted out. “Yes,” Sienna replied.
Vivian stood there, shocked. ‘Sienna’s actually pregnant?’ she thought. “So… whose baby is it?” Vivian blurted out. Amber was equally curious, staring at Sienna with wide, eager eyes. They both guessed it was probably Julian’s, but since Sienna hadn’t spoken, anything was possible.
“It’s mine.” Julian strode over to Sienna, slipped an arm around her waist, and declared, “The baby is mine.” Vivian’s eyes widened. “But you two aren’t even married. How could you just—” She thought, ‘Sure, having a baby before marriage isn’t that rare, but Julian hasn’t even proposed. Isn’t that just acting like a total scumbag?’
A flicker of sadness crossed Julian’s face. “It’s my fault. L…” Before he could finish, Sienna cut him off. “I’m the one who doesn’t want to get married.” Hearing it was Sienna’s decision, Vivian didn’t argue. ‘Maybe it’s for the best. The baby will belong to the Hart family,’ she thought. She was more than willing to take care of the baby.
“Sienna, marriage is nothing but shackles—it’s a grave. I’ll always support you,” Vivian said, her eyes full of determination. Sienna smiled. “How have you been lately?”