Chapter 6

Vivian's breath caught as she raised her eyes to the mirror. The reflection staring back at her showed skin like polished alabaster, flawless and glowing with an ethereal luminosity.

Her emerald eyes shimmered with mysterious depth, radiating a warmth that could melt even the coldest heart. At twenty-six, she marveled how time had been so kind, leaving no trace on her youthful beauty.

A woman blessed with such perfection had no business wallowing in self-doubt.

Lost in thought, Vivian absentmindedly placed her injured right foot on the chilly tiles. The thick plastic wrap protecting her wound had cut off circulation, leaving her leg frighteningly numb.

Her foot slipped the moment it touched the floor.

"Ah!" Her arms flailed wildly as gravity pulled her toward the unforgiving marble.

Just as she began her descent, the bathroom door flew open.

Adrian stood framed in the doorway, his tailored suit accentuating his broad shoulders. Their eyes met - his widening in surprise before he sprang into action.

Vivian gasped as strong arms scooped her up bridal-style, his grip unexpectedly tight around her waist.

Then came the horrifying realization - she wore nothing but droplets of water from her interrupted shower.

Heat flooded her cheeks as she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. This marked their first intimate contact since their rushed wedding, and the awkwardness made her toes curl in embarrassment.

Adrian's lips quirked in amusement. "Relax, darling," he drawled. "There's hardly anything worth hiding."

Humiliation and irritation warred within her. "How generous of you, Mr. Blackwood," she snapped. "After your extensive experience, I'm sure my modest curves fail to impress."

Though Vivian carried her C-cup figure with quiet confidence, she knew all too well that without love, even the most perfect body meant nothing compared to Serena's willowy frame that Adrian so clearly preferred.

With practiced ease, Adrian grabbed the plush robe hanging behind the door and draped it over her shoulders. His brows furrowed at her comment. "What nonsense are you spouting now, Vivian?"

A sudden thought darkened his expression further. "Tell me," his voice turned dangerously calm, "did you send those divorce papers at midnight just to stage this little scene? To lure me home to find you like this?" His jaw tightened. "I told you I had back-to-back meetings. Was this desperate ploy really necessary?"

Vivian's temper flared at his accusatory tone, reigniting the simmering tension between them.

He always assumed the worst of her.