Chapter 9
His breathing deepened, yet he maintained perfect composure, methodically unbuttoning his custom-tailored jacket.
The fine wool brushed against Vivian's skin, releasing an intoxicating blend of masculine cologne - the familiar sandalwood base notes now tainted with an unmistakable citrusy top note.
It was that damned Creed Aventus - Serena's signature fragrance.
A wave of revulsion crashed over Vivian at the realization.
As Adrian's stormy gaze locked onto hers, the proximity conjured unwanted images of him tangled with Serena.
Her stomach lurched violently. With a sudden jerk, she shoved him away, scrambling upright as bile rose in her throat.
"Ugh."
Her empty stomach had nothing to offer but dry heaves.
The smoldering desire in Adrian's eyes extinguished instantly, replaced by glacial detachment as he withdrew.
Seeing Vivian's genuine distress - the red-rimmed eyes, the trembling lips - Adrian misinterpreted her reaction as pure disgust at his touch.
He straightened his cuffs with sharp precision, his voice dripping with venom. "Tell me, Vivian. Is this performance reserved solely for me, or do all men make you this physically ill?"
The atmosphere turned arctic, thick with unspoken accusations.
Vivian swallowed against the burning in her throat, staring at him in stunned disbelief.
She'd severed ties with every male acquaintance since their wedding, yet here stood Adrian, wielding words sharper than any blade.
All those years of devotion now seemed like the ultimate folly.
Heat flooded her cheeks as righteous anger took hold.
Before she could stop herself, her palm connected with Adrian's cheek in a resounding slap.
Every suppressed grievance of the past year fueled that single motion.
Her silk robe slipped from her shoulders in the commotion.
Ignoring the sudden exposure, she hastily gathered the fabric around herself with trembling fingers.
A faint red imprint bloomed on Adrian's chiseled cheekbone - her rage made visible.
His eyes widened in shock. "Have you lost your damn mind, Vivian?"
Lost her mind? Absolutely. Only a madwoman would have ever fallen for this man.
Vivian's pulse hammered in her ears as silent fury consumed her.
The shrill vibration of a phone on the nightstand sliced through the tension like a knife.
Adrian glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening. With one decisive motion, he silenced the device and turned toward the door, his posture rigid.
Her voice, steel wrapped in velvet, followed him. "I want those divorce papers signed before you walk out that door!"
Adrian paused just long enough to throw over his shoulder, "Business calls. When I return, you can have whatever the hell you want." The door slammed with finality behind him.