Chapter 28

The vending machine hummed softly as Vivian stood before it, her fingers hovering over the selection buttons. She'd only intended to buy one soda, but something made her press the button twice.

"Adrian, I truly appreciate you making time for me like this," Serena's voice carried through the lobby with practiced sweetness. "I hope I'm not keeping you from anything important? I know how busy you always are."

The familiar voice made Vivian's shoulders tense.

Though spoken quietly, every syllable rang clear in the empty lobby space.

Vivian turned just in time to see Adrian adjusting the collar of Serena's coat with that intimate gesture she knew too well. "Don't worry about it," he murmured. "I've been away on business too much lately. Now that I'm back, you're my priority. Everything else can wait."

Her hands trembled as she fed bills into the machine - a physical betrayal of her inner storm.

Was that her heart breaking? Or just the bitter taste of reality? Standing there, she felt like a ghost in their perfect world.

The absurdity of the situation nearly made her laugh.

Their divorce papers weren't even finalized, yet here he was, openly doting on his first love right before her eyes.

A sharp pang twisted in Vivian's chest as she wondered what place, if any, she still held in Adrian's life.

The wave of emotion that crashed over her was so intense it stole her breath.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, fingers curling into fists as she glared at the vending machine's glowing buttons.

With deliberate force, she punched the selection, listening as two cans clattered noisily into the tray.

She bent to retrieve the first can, but just as her fingers brushed the second, a larger hand snatched it away.

She didn't need to look to know it was Adrian.

Drawing a steadying breath, she stepped back and fixed him with an icy stare. "Can I help you?" Her voice could have frozen the entire lobby.

Adrian turned the can in his hands with that infuriating smirk. "Really, Vivian? You track me down here and pretend it's coincidence? Living in budget hotels, buying discount sodas - quite the humble lifestyle you've adopted." His mocking tone dripped with false sympathy.

Vivian's eyes widened in disbelief as she took him in. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked, voice laced with sarcasm.

A disapproving tut came from behind them. "Adrian, that's no way to speak to her. She's still legally your wife." Serena chided, stepping forward with a concerned frown.

Turning to Vivian, Serena adopted a placating tone. "Ms. Hartley, please don't mind him. You know how he gets when he's stressed."

Serena's presence - that subtle air of victorious superiority - made Vivian's stomach churn.

Without another word, Vivian turned on her heel and strode toward the exit, desperate to escape this painful tableau.