Chapter 293

Audrey, just stepping out of the car, let out an exaggerated sigh. "Vivian, isn't your cousin practically ancient by now?"

The principal opened his mouth to respond when his phone rang sharply. His wife's impatient voice crackled through. "Where are those groceries? Dinner's getting cold!"

"I'm on my way," he promised before turning to Vivian with an apologetic smile. "You really should join us for dinner sometime."

Vivian returned the smile warmly. "Go finish your cooking. I've got company here, so I won't intrude tonight, but I'll take a rain check."

With a quick nod, the principal hurried off.

Audrey nudged Vivian playfully. "I told you to find someone younger. Men expire faster than dairy products - past thirty, it's all wrinkles and dad bods."

She avoided Adrian's intense gaze, focusing instead on the cracked pavement beneath her feet.

Adrian, however, was no ordinary man. Though three years Vivian's senior, his chiseled features defied time. His presence carried the weight of battles fought and storms weathered, making him seem older than his years.

The air between them grew thick. Adrian's voice cut through the tension like ice. "Why didn't you correct him?"

Vivian met his glare with cool detachment. "What difference would it make? If I explain now, what do I say next time? That we're divorced?"

Adrian's dark eyes smoldered dangerously. After a long pause, his lips twisted into a mirthless smile. "Fine. We'll finalize the divorce as soon as we're back in Crestwood."

Without waiting for a response, he turned sharply, yanking open the car door. "Ethan, we're leaving."

Ethan hesitated, glancing between Adrian and Vivian. "Mrs. Blackwood—"

Adrian's voice turned glacial. "She's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Don't interfere."

"But this town isn't exactly—" Ethan began before shrinking under Adrian's withering stare.

"Planning to stay here with her?" Adrian's question dripped with venom.

With an apologetic look at Vivian, Ethan slid into the driver's seat. The engine roared to life, tires screeching as the car disappeared down the road.

Audrey finally snapped out of her daze with a bitter laugh. "Men really do show their true colors after they get what they want."

Her eyes flickered to the faint marks on Vivian's neck, identical to her own. Vivian brushed off the implication and changed the subject. "What's going on between you and Dominic?"

At the mention of her own predicament, Audrey deflated like a punctured balloon. She rubbed her lower back with a wince. "What do you think? You saw us. We slept together."

She grimaced. "That man acted like he'd been stranded on a desert island. I'm still sore from his... enthusiasm."