Chapter 81

“Do you care for pizza rolls?” Xavier asked, slipping a black apron over his shirt as Vivienne followed him into his freshly decorated kitchen.

They had finally finished arranging the last pieces of furniture, and the results were even better than she had imagined. His home carried a clean, modern charm. After hours of discussion, Xavier had gone with her suggestion of a cozy, minimal style. The white-painted walls balanced perfectly with the matte grey blinds and furniture, while the soft lighting gave the whole place a warm, inviting glow. It looked like something that belonged in a home design magazine — simple, neat, yet undeniably elegant.

Vivienne leaned against the cool surface of the kitchen island, taking in the space. “You’ve finally learned how to cook,” she teased, her lips curving into a playful smile.

The apron, the way he moved around the kitchen with confidence — it was such a contrast to how she remembered him years ago at the orphanage. Back then, Xavier had sworn off kitchens after a single traumatic experience: burning his hand when he pulled a cake pan from the oven without mittens. That single incident had scarred him enough to keep him far from cooking for years.

Xavier gave a half-smile, a little huff escaping. “Yes, of course. Who else was going to feed me? Relying on takeout isn’t exactly the healthiest option. So—pizza rolls sound good?”

Vivienne arched a brow in mock seriousness. “Look at you following health guidelines now.”

He chuckled, his deep voice filling the room. “Have you forgotten? I’m a health worker too. It’s literally my job to care about these things.”

“Fair enough,” she said with a smirk, resting her chin on her palm.

Xavier pulled out a plastic bag of pizza dough. His movements slowed as his expression shifted, and the lightness in the air dimmed slightly. He drew in a breath before speaking again. “By the way… I never apologized for ignoring your emails back then.” His tone was heavy, filled with guilt. “I’m sorry, Viv. I was in a bad place mentally for years. I couldn’t bring myself to reply. I felt like a failure. Honestly, I almost dropped out of medical school.” He let out a humorless chuckle, his eyes shadowed by regret.

Vivienne’s heart tightened at his words. For so long she had wondered why he had cut off contact. She had felt abandoned. Now that the truth came out, instead of anger, all she felt was concern. “Why? Did something happen?”

Xavier sighed, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of the past was still pressing on him. “Looking back, it feels childish. But at the time, it nearly destroyed me. My girlfriend then… I caught her in bed with my roommate. On her birthday.” His voice cracked faintly before he steadied it. “I had given her everything, Viv. My heart, my time, my trust. And she walked away without a shred of shame. No apology. Nothing. The worst part? Three years later, she married him. And she had the audacity to send me their wedding invitation.”

He shook his head slowly as he retrieved a packet of mozzarella cheese from the fridge. “They lived happily ever after, while I sank into depression. For years.”

Vivienne’s eyes stung, her throat tight as she forced herself not to cry for him. “Oh, Xavier… I’m so sorry you went through that.”

He waved her sympathy away gently, forcing a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s all in the past now. Don’t waste your tears on me. I’m fine, really. Let’s talk about something else. The present, not the past.”

Vivienne tilted her head. “Like what?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted with a helpless shrug. “Anything. You know me — I was never good at starting conversations.”

A soft laugh slipped from her lips. “Neither was I. We might as well sit in silence then.”

He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he began sprinkling cheese over the rolled dough. After a pause, his tone softened. “Your husband… he seems kind. Understanding.”

Vivienne’s lips curved into a wide, involuntary smile. “Magnus is the best husband ever. Honestly, he’s too perfect.” Her voice brimmed with pride and love, her eyes glowing as she said his name.

Xavier glanced at her and gave a small, approving nod. “I’m glad. After everything you endured, you deserve someone like him.” He layered pepperoni slices onto the cheese, slid the dough into the oven, and closed the door with a soft click.

“Thanks, X,” Vivienne said warmly. “So, are you seeing anyone now?”

He shook his head, his expression neutral. “No. And it’s not because of the past. I just haven’t met anyone who sparked my interest.”

Her brows lifted. “I could set you up with someone. There are plenty of single nurses at my hospital.”

Xavier laughed, waving the suggestion off with a flick of his wrist. “No thanks. When the time is right, I’ll meet her. And we’ll have our own happily ever after.”

Vivienne smiled knowingly. “It’ll come sooner than you think.”

“I hope so,” he said quietly, his eyes softening for just a moment before he looked away.

“That reminds me — would you like to meet the twins?” she asked suddenly, excitement lifting her voice.

“Of course. Is that even a question?” His face lit up like a child’s at Christmas. “I’d never say no to meeting my nephews. Have you told them about me?”

“Yes,” Vivienne said proudly. “I told them about their uncle yesterday. They can’t wait to meet you.”

“Perfect. So what gifts should I bring for them? What do they like most?”

Vivienne waved her hand, dismissing the thought. “Don’t worry. Just bring whatever you want.”

“Really?” His brows arched in surprise.

“Yes,” she confirmed with a small laugh.

Just then, the oven timer dinged. The sharp sound broke through their conversation. Xavier slipped on a pair of mittens and pulled out the tray of pizza rolls. The golden-brown pastry filled the kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma that made Vivienne’s stomach rumble.

Closing her eyes briefly, she inhaled deeply and hummed. “That smells so good.”

Xavier grinned, pleased. “I know, right? Let’s just hope they taste as good as they smell.”

\---

Later that night, Vivienne curled beneath the covers beside Magnus. The quiet hum of the house surrounded them, but her mind was still buzzing from the day.

“I invited Xavier over for tomorrow’s dinner,” she said casually, resting her head against his chest. “I want him to meet the twins.”

Magnus’s body stilled for a brief second, though his arm tightened protectively around her. His voice was calm, measured, but a subtle edge lingered beneath it. “Really?”

“Yes,” she said softly, tilting her face up to study his expression. “You’re not upset that I didn’t ask you first, are you?”

Magnus pressed a kiss to her forehead, letting his lips linger there. “Of course not. Why would I be upset? Are we living in medieval times or something?”

Vivienne smiled, relieved, and nestled deeper against his chest. His broad arms encircled her, steady and warm, while his fingers threaded slowly through her hair. She sighed in contentment, closing her eyes.

But Magnus’s thoughts were far from calm. His touch was gentle, his voice steady — yet inside, unease gnawed at him like an unwelcome shadow.

And as he held her close, one thought refused to leave his mind: Tomorrow night, when Xavier came face-to-face with his family, everything might change.