Chapter 254

The marble stone felt cool beneath Vivian's fingertips as she knelt before her mother's grave. Here, in this quiet sanctuary, she could let her guard down completely. The carefully constructed walls around her heart crumbled like autumn leaves, revealing the wounded girl beneath.

Golden sunlight faded into twilight, painting the cemetery in hues of violet and indigo. A whispering wind danced through the cypress trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant rain.

Vivian, who used to tremble at ghost stories, now found solace among these silent sentinels. After surviving two brushes with death, she knew true monsters wore human faces. These peaceful graves would never betray or hurt her. And her mother's spirit would shield her from any restless shadows.

The evening chill crept into her bones. Shivering, she hugged herself tighter and rose to leave. One last touch to the engraved name - Catherine Sutton - before turning away.

Suddenly, warmth enveloped her shoulders. She whirled around to find Adrian standing there, his expression unreadable in the fading light. Without speaking, he adjusted his jacket around her, then drew her close with an arm across her shoulders.

Facing the headstone, his voice carried quiet reverence. "Catherine, it's getting late. We'll be staying in town a few more days and will visit again."

Vivian hesitated, then murmured her own farewell. Slipping from his embrace, she properly fastened the oversized jacket and gave him a brief nod.

Adrian caught her hand, his tone teasing but gentle. "If you take another tumble and end up in the ER, how will you maintain that tough-girl image?"

She shrugged, avoiding his gaze, but didn't pull away as they descended the hillside. Their fingers somehow became intertwined, though hers remained stiff, refusing to properly clasp his.

Rejoining Dominic and Audrey outside the cemetery gates, they followed Audrey's lead to a hidden gem - a decades-old barbecue joint tucked between residential buildings. Back in her school days, Vivian and friends would save allowances for weeks to afford meals here.

Adrian, usually fastidious about cleanliness, made no complaint about the humble establishment. He discreetly sanitized their table with antibacterial wipes while maintaining perfect composure.

Their luxury vehicles drew curious stares during the dinner rush. Passersby slowed their steps, some snapping photos with their phones. Murmurs floated through the evening air: "That's a Blackwood Group car! What would a billionaire be doing in our little town?"

Catching the whispers between bites of grilled eggplant, Vivian turned to Adrian with playful curiosity. "Mr. Blackwood, the locals are wondering... what brings a man of your stature to our rural backwater?"

Dressed simply in a black Henley that somehow looked designer, Adrian exuded effortless elegance. As he dabbed sauce from the corner of Vivian's mouth, he replied, "You once told me about growing up here. How you dreamed of seeing it prosper. That if you ever had the means, you'd help develop this place and surrounding areas."

He tactfully omitted her exact words to spare her pride. Vivian had originally said, "If I weren't trapped in marriage, I'd use my resources to help my hometown and neighboring poor regions... Maybe someday someone capable will come along. I'd be forever grateful to that person."

Vivian looked away, surprised he remembered and embarrassed by her past vulnerability. Meanwhile, Audrey and Dominic's playful scuffle over the last chicken wing ended when Audrey's fork slipped, allowing Dominic to claim victory with a triumphant grin.