Chapter 435

The dinner unfolded in an electric silence, punctuated only by the occasional crackle from the grill between them. Each sound felt like a carefully choreographed movement in their unspoken dance.

As Adrian pulled up to Seabreeze Villa, Vivian's breath caught. Golden light spilled from the windows of her home, an unexpected sight that sent her pulse racing.

She mentally retraced her steps. She'd left in broad daylight—there was no way she'd forgotten to turn off the lights. The gated community's tight security ruled out intruders, yet the mystery remained.

Then the front door swung open, revealing a familiar broad-shouldered silhouette that instantly solved the puzzle.

Adrian leaned against the doorframe, a shopping bag dangling from his fingers. His usually impeccable suit showed signs of travel, the first two buttons of his shirt undone.

"Welcome home," he murmured as Vivian stepped out of Julian's car, his gaze flickering between them.

Vivian barely had time to thank Julian before Adrian's arm claimed her shoulders with possessive ease. In one fluid motion, he extended the bag toward Julian.

Only then did Vivian recognize the distinctive Sterling & Co logo—the very fountain pen they'd selected together days earlier.

Julian's fingers twitched but didn't reach for the offering.

"Please take it," Vivian urged, her voice softer than intended. "When I saw it, I immediately thought of you. Consider it an early birthday gift."

The words tasted like ash. She hadn't known today was his birthday until their dinner conversation, and the realization now made her skin prickle with discomfort.

After a beat, Julian accepted the package, his eyes holding hers with quiet intensity. "Thank you," he said, the words weighted with unspoken meaning.

Adrian's grip tightened imperceptibly. "Now that my wife's safely home and you've got your present, I believe we're done here." He steered Vivian toward the house with unmistakable finality.

Vivian threw Julian an apologetic glance over her shoulder. "It's late. You should—"

"Really, darling," Adrian cut in, his breath warm against her ear as he pulled her closer, "must we drag this out?"

Julian watched them disappear inside, their effortless intimacy a stark contrast to the explosive argument he'd witnessed mere hours earlier. He'd expected days of tension, not this seamless reconciliation.

Back in his car, Julian flicked on the dome light. The white fountain pen gleamed in its velvet nest—elegant, pristine, untouched. Just like the version of himself he'd always shown Vivian.

If only he'd known she preferred storms to still waters, he might have let her see the tempest beneath his calm surface. The realization settled like lead in his chest as he started the engine.