Chapter 83

The crimson scar stood out starkly against Vivian's otherwise flawless skin.

Adrian's mind wandered to his grandmother's famous healing balm, remembering how it had miraculously faded his cousin Bianca's deep laceration from a skiing accident within weeks.

Yet Vivian's scar remained vivid, a cruel reminder of the injury's severity.

Noticing Adrian's gaze, Vivian instinctively shifted behind a chair, using it as a shield for her leg.

That scar always made her feel inadequate, especially around him. She wished she could vanish.

She feared nothing more than Adrian seeing her imperfections - both the visible ones and those hidden in her past.

As Adrian moved toward her, Serena tugged at his sleeve with honeyed sweetness. "Adrian?"

He turned with a questioning look. "Yes?"

Serena did a playful spin in her dress, eyes bright with expectation. "How do I look?"

Though shorter than Vivian, the dress skimmed Serena's knees, clinging to her petite frame without accentuating her curves, projecting innocence rather than sensuality.

"You look lovely," Adrian assured, making her face light up.

With a triumphant smile, Serena approached Vivian. "Ms. Hartley, what a surprise seeing you here! I spilled coffee earlier and Adrian insisted on buying me something new. Hope you don't mind!"

She stood beside Vivian, youthful yet provocative. "So Adrian, who wears it better - me or Ms. Hartley?"

Adrian hesitated, then remembered how that man had caressed Vivian's leg last night. Had she been wearing this dress, his hands would have touched bare skin.

Irritation flared. "You wear it far better than she ever could."

Vivian had no interest in this petty competition. She turned toward the fitting room to change.

Adrian noted her indifference, realizing he'd been too soft. His voice turned sharp. "What even is this dress? It barely covers anything. Can't you choose something decent?"

Vivian froze as her old scar throbbed. From Adrian's focus on her legs, she inferred he found her scars repulsive, needing concealment.

Even as his lawful wife, his words suggested she embarrassed the Blackwood name. He could've feigned courtesy for appearances. Why publicly display such disgust?

Seeing Vivian's reaction, Audrey assumed intimidation and stepped forward protectively. "Mr. Blackwood, can't you distinguish genuine elegance from cheap imitation? Or do you truly prefer the artificial over natural beauty? Do you honestly think her childish frame compares to Vivian's grace?"