Rising from Betrayal

Chapter 008

Imperial Lounge was on the twenty-third floor of the Harlow Square building—a bar with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, dim golden lighting, and a sweeping view of Corholt spread wide beyond the windows.

Five men and one woman were already seated at the VIP table, trading drinks and laughter when Vivienne and Nathan arrived.

The moment they stepped inside, every pair of eyes turned toward them, each wearing the same knowing smile.

Everyone there knew about Vivienne and Nathan's history.

Nathan only had to make a single call, and Vivienne would come running—no matter how late it was, even if it happened to be her birthday.

If anyone claimed there was nothing between them, no one at the table would believe it.

"Finally!" Camille, in a wine-red dress with dark hair pinned up, called from the end of the table.

Her eyes went straight to Vivienne's hand in Nathan's, and a teasing grin stretched wide on her face.

"I knew Nathan could get you out, even at this hour."

Vivienne merely forced a faint smile.

After greeting everyone, she quietly slipped into a corner seat, her mood noticeably subdued.

The excitement she'd felt after reuniting with Nathan had already been overshadowed by the ugly argument with Norman.

She swirled the liquor in her glass, staring absentmindedly into it.

Her mind obviously wasn't fully here.

"Viv."

Camille slid into the seat beside her and lowered her voice.

"What's wrong? You've looked distracted ever since you got here."

Vivienne frowned.

“It’s Norman... Earlier tonight, he actually yelled at me. He even told me to fuck off!”

She briefly recounted what had happened. Camille blinked in surprise.

As far as she knew, Norman had always treated Vivienne like a queen, giving in to her every whim. The idea of him losing his temper seemed almost unbelievable.

Had he lost his mind?

"What an asshole," Camille scoffed. "Seriously? He's accusing you over something like this? Where's the trust a husband is supposed to have?"

She rolled her eyes, "You just came out to catch up with old friends. Sure, it's late, but that's called having a social life."

"He has absolutely no right to say no! Where you go, who you go with—that's your business." She shook her head.

"Instead of respecting your freedom, he just wants to keep you locked up at home. That's not love, Viv—that's control."

"If he can't even give you the most basic trust, what right does he have to say he loves you?"

Vivienne lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around the glass.

Every word struck home. The words landed exactly where she needed them to.

Something inside her chest hardened—the resolve that had wavered slightly was back on its feet.

Right. I didn’t do anything wrong. And I'm not going to forgive him easily this time.

Even if she had briefly wondered what it might be like to cross the line with Nathan, was that really her fault?

If Norman weren't so dull, so utterly incapable of romance, would she have been tempted in the first place?

Besides, what she chose to do with her own life was her business.

Who was Norman to interfere?

"Enough of this." Camille pulled out her phone. "I’m calling him."

Without waiting for Vivienne's response, she found Norman's number and hit dial.

"He needs to learn he can't treat my best friend like that."

Tonight's gathering had been Camille’s arrangement.

Nathan and the other men had promised her a handsome reward—as long as Vivienne stayed.

If Norman ruined the mood and Vivienne went home early—that money would be gone.

She had to keep Vivienne happy, keep her drinking...

The rest would take care of itself.

The call connected after a few rings.

"Norman Calloway." Camille didn’t bother with pleasantries. "Vivienne is furious. You'd better think about what you’ve done and apologize to her. She did absolutely nothing wrong. You're the one who's selfish, controlling, and a pathetic excuse of a husband. Vivienne deserves a thousand times better than a trash like—"