Chapter 505

The deep timbre of his voice instantly melted the tension coiled in her chest. "All done?" Adrian's words flowed like warm honey through the phone. Vivian realized with a start that she hadn't checked her messages since texting him before the event.

Sliding into the backseat of the cab, she exhaled softly. "Just wrapped up. On my way home now." Her fingers brushed against the baby clothes beside her, the soft fabric making her hesitate. Should she tell him?

"I've got some loose ends to tie up here," Adrian responded, his tone steady as always. "Go ahead without me." Then came the unexpected addition: "The venue proposals should be waiting at the house. Take your time choosing."

Vivian's fingers froze on the car door handle. "Wait... what venues?"

"Our wedding venues," he clarified, the smile evident in his voice even through the phone.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to pause. Then warmth spread through her chest, lifting the corners of her mouth into an involuntary smile.

The moment she stepped through the foyer, rich aromas of rosemary and thyme greeted her. But Vivian barely registered the food, her gaze darting around the living room instead.

The housekeeper emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron. "Looking for the wedding brochures, Mrs. Blackwood?" she asked with knowing amusement.

Heat crept up Vivian's neck, but she nodded. The woman retrieved a sleek portfolio from the console table. "The wedding planner dropped these off earlier. Complete with photos, floor plans, even fabric swatches. Shall I bring them to the dining room?"

"Yes please," Vivian answered, slipping off her heels and making her way to wash up.

Seated at the polished mahogany table, Vivian eagerly flipped open the first proposal. A gilded fantasy unfolded before her - vintage gold decor with cascading champagne roses, delicate feathers suspended from crystal chandeliers. The description boasted hand-sewn pearl beading on every table runner and ethically sourced crystals adorning the drapery.

The second option stole her breath - a cliffside ceremony where the aisle glittered with crushed mother-of-pearl, minimalist glass pillars glowing like captured moonlight against the endless ocean horizon. The price tag rivaled the first venue's opulence despite its apparent simplicity.

Page after page revealed increasingly extravagant possibilities. Though she'd been Adrian's wife for years now, flipping through these catalogs sent little thrills through her. That long-buried dream of a fairytale wedding resurfaced with each turn of the page.

"Your dinner's getting cold, Mrs. Blackwood," the housekeeper gently reminded her, setting down a steaming bowl.

Reluctantly, Vivian set aside the brochures. The meal was light - crisp vegetables with a clear broth, exactly what her tired body craved. She lifted a spoonful of silken tofu, savoring its delicate texture against her tongue.

The simple pleasure of good food after a long day, the excitement of wedding plans, the warmth of knowing Adrian was thinking of her even while working late - these quiet moments filled her with contentment.

Outside, the city lights twinkled like scattered diamonds against the night sky, mirroring the spark of anticipation glowing in her chest.