Chapter 55 VICTORIA HUNT PART 1
The studio's main door opened, causing every conversation to stop. Vivienne's back was to the entrance, but she felt the heat in the room.
The way people straightened up. The chorused, "Good morning, Mrs. Victoria," and the silence that followed afterward.
She kept her eyes forward, focused on the green screen marker in front of her, and told herself to breathe.
Just breathe.
"Hold that position," Eliza said quietly.
But Vivienne's muscles had locked up. Not from the act, but from fear.
Through her peripheral vision, she caught a flash of cream fabric. Expensive. Tailored and worth more than her monthly rent.
"Ms. Cross?" Eliza called. "Next."
Vivienne forced herself to move, to complete the next sequence even though every part of her screamed to run. She spun, keeping her back to the entrance, and finished the last movement.
"Great take," Victor said. "Let's review the footage."
Behind her, she finally heard Alexander's voice. "Mother."
Victoria's voice came next, smooth as expensive wine. "Darling. I hope I'm not interrupting."
Vivienne stayed frozen on the green screen, pretending to adjust the sensors on her wrists while her pulse hammered in her throat. She could feel Victoria's presence fill the room.
"You didn't mention you were coming," Alexander said.
There was a pause. Then Victoria laughed, light and completely fake. "Must I schedule time with my own son? I wanted to see this project you've been so consumed with. The one that apparently matters more than returning your mother's phone calls."
The sharpness in her tone made Vivienne's stomach clench.
"We're in the middle of a session," Alexander said.
"I can see that." Victoria moved across the floor. Vivienne counted the steps without turning around.
Five. Six. Seven. She was getting closer.
"I'll only be a moment. Surely your little project can spare you for a conversation with your mother. Especially after last night."
Last night? Vivienne's hands stilled on a sensor. Was she here because of the coffee shop incident?
Alexander exhaled, the sound of someone giving up. "Of course. Eliza, take five, everyone."
Vivienne was more than happy. A break meant she could escape to the changing room and avoid this whole encounter. Then she started toward the edge of the green screen.
"Actually," Victoria's voice stopped her cold, "I'd love to see what all the fuss is about. This Tyranny project. Don't stop on my account."
Vivienne's feet wouldn't move. She stood there, back still to Victoria, trapped between running and staying still.
"Mother, that's not necessary."
"I insist." Victoria's tone left no room for argument. "Please, continue. Pretend I'm not even here."
Pretend she's not here? Pretend the woman who hated her the most in the world wasn't standing fifteen feet away, watching everything.
Vivienne felt Eliza's hand on her shoulder. "Ms. Cross? Should we run through the last sequence again?"
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
"From the top," Eliza called to Victor.
Vivienne moved through the choreography flawlessly now. Her body remembered the movements even though her mind screamed danger. She kept her face angled away from where Victoria stood, kept moving fast so there would be no reason to pause and no chance for eye contact.
But she felt Victoria watching.
"Impressive," Victoria said after a moment. Her voice carried across the studio, pleasant and poisonous. "She's quite good, Alexander. I can see why you chose her."
Alexander's response was clipped. "She's the best."
"Hmm." That single sound held words of judgment. "I'm simply trying to understand what's captured your attention so completely. And why you choose to spend every waking hour here. With strangers."
The word landed like a slap.
Vivienne's foot slipped. She caught herself before falling, but barely.
"Careful," Eliza murmured. "Take your time."
But time was the one thing Vivienne didn't have. Every second Victoria remained in this room increased the chance of Victoria recognizing her, which was highly unlikely.
Her surgeon had done a great job, but she didn't trust herself to act normally with Victoria in the room.
"Mom, I know you didn't just come here to watch," Alexander said, harder now. "Let's talk in my office."
"But I'm enjoying the show." Victoria moved again, positioning herself for a better view of the green screen. Of Vivienne. "And why can't we talk here? Aren't they your family?"
Vivienne's hands started shaking. She clasped them behind her back.
"Now, Alexander." Victoria's pleasant mask had completely cracked. "Why can't we discuss your appalling behavior in front of your crew?"
Alexander's jaw tightened visibly. "Everyone take fifteen. Now."
The crew didn't need to be told twice. They scattered toward the break room and exits, leaving Vivienne alone on the green screen with Eliza nearby.
"You too, Eliza," Alexander said quietly.
Eliza glanced at Vivienne, clearly torn, but nodded. "Let's go, Ms. Cross."
As Eliza left, Vivienne started to follow.
"Not you, Ms. Cross. Is it?" Victoria's voice froze her mid-step. "Stay. This concerns you as well."
Vivienne's throat closed. She had no choice now but to turn around, to face her, the woman who haunted her nightmares.
She did it slowly, keeping her face neutral, her posture professional. When her eyes finally met Victoria's, the impact nearly knocked her back.