THE MAN WHO RETURNED AS THORN

7

Helena had just stepped out of the car when Vivianne arrived. Her once calm gaze instantly turned sharp, blazing with anger as she glared at Vivianne.

“Have you realized what you’ve done, Vivianne?”

Helena approached her, pausing only to stroke her granddaughter’s head.

“I don’t know what you mean, Grandma,” Vivianne replied softly.

“I’ll take it as you being in denial, and this is your way of forgetting that foolish man. There are only two hours left until the event begins, and a special guest will be coming—especially for you! You must get ready at once,” Helena said.

She linked arms with Vivianne, but the young woman—the granddaughter she once cherished most—immediately shoved her off.

“Grandma! You have to listen to me! Evan is still my husband, and he… he’s not a fool!”

Vivianne’s voice trembled, her eyes brimming with tears. Her heart was torn, conflicted, yet she still loved Evan deeply and hoped that her husband would later give her the best answer she longed for.

Helena stepped closer, wearing a smile of false compassion, as though she sympathized. But instead of comfort, she landed a slap across Vivianne’s face.

“If you dare mention that bastard’s name one more time, I truly will not stand by idly! Now get inside! You must prepare yourself!”

She shoved Vivianne roughly, nearly sending her granddaughter tumbling to the ground. But before she could fall, a man—none other than Gideon—caught her swiftly.

“Ah, I’m so sorry!” Vivianne exclaimed.

Gideon smiled broadly, then shifted his gaze toward Helena. “What’s going on, Grandma? Why did you push Vivianne?”

“I was simply venting my frustration at the foolish choices she’s made! She’s also been disrespectful to you and Selene, hasn’t she?!”

Gideon chuckled lightly as he wrapped an arm around Vivianne. To him, this was an opportunity to impress the woman he had already marked as his own.

“I don’t mind what happened earlier at the boutique. Vivianne did nothing wrong. The only one who deserves your anger is that ex-convict.”

At those words, Vivianne immediately pulled her shoulder away from Gideon’s grasp. Her gesture of discomfort didn’t go unnoticed, prompting Gideon to try another tactic.

“I understand that true love isn’t something easily forgotten. Perhaps Grandma should also try to see what Vivianne truly wants. Evan’s release from prison and the longing he carries for her—it isn’t a sin, is it?”

Vivianne let out a long sigh, said nothing, and walked away from the two of them. Disgust and frustration weighed heavily on her. She couldn’t wait to see Evan tonight. Her resolve to defend her marriage only grew stronger, and her doubts about Evan’s honesty began to fade.

“I’m betting everything on you, Evan! Please, don’t make this worse—prove yourself to me!” she whispered.

She slammed her bedroom door shut, letting her tears fall freely.

“Vivianne, I’ll let you calm down. I won’t disturb you—just get yourself dressed beautifully and wear the gown that’s already prepared in the closet!” Helena called out.

Vivianne threw herself onto the bed, grabbed a pillow, and pressed it over her face as she screamed.

“For whom should I give my beauty?! What man do they want to throw at me so I’ll leave Evan?!”

She got up, opened her closet, and found a brown dress with a scandalously low neckline.

“They want to make me look so cheap. I’d bet this man is far worse and more disgusting than Evan!”

Vivianne yanked the dress from the hanger, threw it to the floor in fury, and collapsed back onto the bed in sorrow. Her heart was restless. As the hour of the event drew near, she still couldn’t shake the dark thoughts swarming her mind. Nausea rose within her—what if Evan didn’t come?

“Vivianne, are you ready?!”

The shout from outside the door forced her to take a deep breath. Her eyes showed resignation as she steadied herself to face what lay beyond.

It wasn’t her grandmother or parents who stood there, but Selene. The woman wore a sinister grin, eyes gleaming with vengeance.

“What do you want?!” Vivianne demanded.

Selene’s scorn shifted into a wide smile as she gently patted Vivianne’s shoulder, pretending intimacy.

“I came to fetch you, and also to apologize for how poorly I treated you back at the boutique. You’ll forgive me, won’t you?”

Vivianne shoved her hand away and answered sharply.

“Don’t pretend to be kind, Selene! I know you’re plotting something against me! Remember, I don’t care what you do with your life!”

“I understand your anger. Yes, I went too far—but you must know, it’s only because I care about you, Vivianne. After all, you deserve the very best. Darian Voss is the greatest gift Grandma Helena could ever give you!”

Selene’s words shook Vivianne’s heart. She stared at her in disbelief.

“Could what Selene said be true? Darian Voss is the one who framed Evan—at least according to what Evan told me?!” Vivianne thought anxiously.

She quickly pushed the thought aside and pressed Selene further.

“What did you just say?! How do you know about Darian Voss?”

“I went with your mother earlier to meet his secretary. He sent a beautiful cake for tonight’s introduction—just for you! You’re going to marry him! You’ll finally be free from Evan’s shadow! The Voss family is magnificent, Vivianne!” Selene exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Hearing this, Vivianne hurried down the stairs, dread filling her chest. All she wanted now was to speak with her grandmother and parents, to stop this event at once.

“I won’t marry another man until I hear the truth directly from Evan!” she muttered.

“Vivianne! You’re so slow!”

Helena grabbed her hand as soon as she reached the first step.

“Grandma, you must listen to me! I don’t want to marry Darian Voss!”

Helena squeezed her granddaughter’s hand and whispered, “Don’t speak nonsense, Vivianne! I don’t want to hear any excuses. Now go meet Darian—he’s waiting in the dining hall!”

“But Grandma, I don’t—”

Vivianne’s words were cut off by a voice. Evan had arrived, impeccably dressed.

“Vivianne, Grandma Helena, and… Selene, sorry for being late,” Evan said.