Chapter 55

Vivian felt the anger she'd nearly suppressed flare up again at his words. Did Adrian really expect her to explain herself? To assure Beatrice that all those tabloid photos of him with Serena were fabricated lies?

Yet she bit back her sharp retort. Beatrice held a special place in her heart.

She was the only Blackwood who had ever shown Vivian genuine warmth.

Vivian remembered the day she and Adrian had registered their marriage. Beatrice had pressed a delicate heirloom bracelet into her hands, publicly welcoming her into the family when others had only offered cold stares. That single act of kindness had given Vivian strength to endure the family's thinly veiled disdain.

In Beatrice's gentle affection, Vivian often saw echoes of Eleanor's unconditional love. It was this emotional debt that compelled her to visit Blackwood Manor tomorrow - to ease the older woman's worries.

Taking her silence as agreement, Adrian smoothly changed tactics. "Ethan mentioned you checked out of the hotel. Where are you staying? I can take you there. Or you could stay at Seabreeze Villa tonight to choose an outfit for tomorrow."

"No thank you," Vivian countered sharply, turning away. "I can manage."

Adrian didn't push further. With a slight tilt of his head, he murmured, "Ethan."

His assistant immediately stepped to the curb to hail a cab. Adrian's gaze returned to Vivian. "I'll pick you up tomorrow. Take my number off your block list."

"Unnecessary," Vivian fired back. "Exes should disappear completely. If it's urgent, Mr. Blackwood, you can email through Ethan."

Adrian chuckled, equal parts amused and exasperated. "Must you always be so cutting, Vivian? Doesn't this constant sparring exhaust you?"

Before she could respond, he snatched her phone with startling speed. Vivian lunged for it, but Adrian held it aloft, easily bypassing the lock screen - her oversight in never changing the passcode from his birthday.

She jumped repeatedly, but their height difference made it futile. Finally surrendering, Vivian stood fuming as Adrian not only unblocked his number but added himself back to her contacts before returning the phone.

Considering she might need to reach him tomorrow, Vivian reluctantly pocketed it without re-blocking him. She moved toward the waiting cab.

Ethan held the door open with practiced grace. "Mrs. Blackwood, your ride."

The taxi pulled away, leaving Adrian watching until it disappeared around the corner. His fingers absently traced the edge of his own phone where her new number now resided. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.