Chapter 433

This wasn't merely a disagreement—it struck at the very core of her being, a brutal assault on her integrity and heart. Yet the divorce discussion had faded into the background, and raising it repeatedly would only make her appear irrational.

After a measured silence, her voice cut through like winter frost. "First, if you have concerns, address them to my face."

"I don't play games, Adrian. A marriage without trust is a house built on sand. I trusted you implicitly when you rushed Serena to the hospital—no questions asked. That's the foundation I expect in return." Her breath hitched. "Secondly, as your wife—the woman who vowed to stand by you—I deserve better than careless words that cut deeper than any knife."

Adrian reeled as if struck. Vivian's raw honesty disarmed him completely, not the defensive outburst he'd anticipated. Guilt twisted his features as he mumbled, "Last fight, you said far worse—"

"So my mistakes justify yours?" Vivian's calm sliced through his excuse. "Is this our future? Trading wounds until we're both bleeding out? What's the endgame here?"

The phone line hummed with heavy silence.

When Adrian remained mute, Vivian's tone turned glacial. "Since you have nothing constructive to add, I'm ending this. My dinner's getting cold."

"Wait." His voice cracked with uncharacteristic vulnerability. "I... apologize. There are circumstances you're unaware of—I only acted out of concern."

Vivian refused to indulge his cryptic hints. "An apology without changed behavior is just manipulation. If you truly care, prove it through actions, not words that leave scars."

She terminated the call and spun around—only to freeze. Julian stood three paces behind her, his presence as silent as snowfall.

"Didn't mean to intrude." He stepped forward, hands raised in peaceful surrender. "Wanted to ensure you weren't needing anything."

Vivian trusted Julian implicitly—his discretion was absolute. "Nothing important," she dismissed with a fragile smile, relieved he hadn't heard Adrian's accusations. That humiliation would've been unbearable.

Julian's gaze softened. "Misunderstanding with your husband? Shall I clarify—"

"No need." Vivian brushed past him toward their table. "I mentioned celebrating your birthday. That's all."

A peculiar tension gripped Julian's shoulders. His smile faltered into something wistful. "You... knew?"

"Pardon?" Vivian blinked before realization dawned. "Oh. Adrian mentioned your familial connection."

Julian trailed her back to their seats. "Our families severed ties decades ago," he murmured, staring at his wineglass. "We're little more than strangers now."

Vivian focused on flipping the sizzling meat, the comfortable rhythm of their usual banter disrupted. University days had never known this strained silence—back then, their conversations flowed like rivers, effortlessly filling every pause.

Now, the quiet between them felt charged with unspoken truths.