Chapter 36

The car door swung open as Lydia leaned out, her manicured fingers gripping the steering wheel. "Need a ride back to the hotel, Viv? What on earth happened?" Her gaze dropped to Vivian's leg, and her perfectly arched eyebrows shot up in alarm.

Lydia practically flew out of the driver's seat, designer heels clicking against the pavement. She reached Vivian in three quick strides. "I was gone for fifteen minutes tops!" Her voice cracked as she took in the bloodstains. "Where are you hurt? Did you fall?"

Following Lydia's horrified stare, Vivian glanced down at her ruined pants. The fabric clung to her calf, dark with blood. She forced a tight smile. "That burn from last week's fire scene never properly healed. Must've knocked it against something when the boiling water spilled."

Lydia's gasp was audible. She crouched, fingers trembling near the hem of Vivian's pants before pulling back. "We need to get this looked at immediately." Standing abruptly, she offered her arm like a knight assisting a wounded princess.

The hospital waiting room buzzed with activity. Lydia guided Vivian to a plastic chair. "Stay put," she ordered, already scanning for the reception desk. "I'll handle registration."

As Lydia disappeared into the crowd, Vivian's wandering gaze snagged on a familiar broad-shouldered silhouette. Adrian stood near the elevators, arms laden with medical forms.

Her stomach twisted. Of course he'd be here, playing the doting boyfriend to Serena. Always so eager to handle every little thing for his precious fragile flower.

"Vivian?" His voice cut through the hospital noise like a knife.

She stood abruptly, ignoring the twinge in her leg. Let him think she was running away - she didn't care.

Adrian's hand closed around her wrist like a vice. "What are you doing here?" His grip didn't loosen when she tried to pull away, not even when she yanked hard enough to bruise.

She whirled on him, eyes flashing. "Last I checked, Mr. Blackwood, hospitals are public property. Or did you buy this one too?"

His jaw tightened. "Did you follow me here because of the role? Is that it?" Before she could respond, he plowed on, "Leave Serena out of this. Whatever issue you have is with me."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Trust me, I have zero interest in you or your delicate little actress." She jerked her arm again. "Now let go before I scream for security."

His fingers remained locked around her wrist, though his voice softened. "Serena's not as strong as you are, Viv. You don't need this role." His thumb brushed her pulse point. "I'll buy the entire block where your mother's old apartment stands. You could turn it into anything - a community center, a park. Isn't that what she would've wanted?"

The overhead lights flickered as Vivian met his gaze. The scent of antiseptic burned her nose. Somewhere down the hall, a baby cried.

Adrian's eyes searched hers, waiting for an answer she'd never give.