Chapter 222
Aveline
The private hospital room felt more like a luxury hotel suite than a medical facility, but even the elegant surroundings couldn't mask the fact that today was the day we'd both been waiting for—Vivian's discharge. I'd spent the morning carefully selecting an array of outfits from her favorite boutiques: a flowing emerald silk dress that would complement her dark hair, a tailored cream blazer with matching trousers that screamed understated elegance, and a stunning midnight blue cocktail dress with delicate beading that caught the light like scattered stars.
But as Vivian examined each carefully chosen piece, her expression remained oddly melancholy, almost distant.
"Don't you dare think you're too pale to wear beautiful things," I said quickly, sensing her hesitation. "You need to dress like the warrior you are—gorgeous, powerful, undefeated. These clothes aren't just fabric; they're armor for your soul."
Vivian fingered the silk of the emerald dress with obvious longing but shook her head. "Isn't this a bit... dramatic? I feel like I'm dressing for a red carpet event, not leaving a hospital."
"That's exactly the point," I insisted with a warm smile. "I want everyone who sees you to know immediately that you're not someone who can be broken. You survived, you fought back, and you came out stronger."
Her gaze flickered with a hint of protest, a silent rebuke for me putting such grand words in her mouth.
But after a moment, she gave a slow nod. I could see something shift in her posture then—a straightening of her spine that reminded me of the stubborn girl who'd once declared war on me in our childhood home.
When she emerged from the bathroom wearing the emerald dress, the transformation was breathtaking. The rich color brought life back to her complexion, and despite her attempts to appear indifferent, I caught her stealing glances at herself in the mirror with unmistakable appreciation.
"You can stop being so nice to me, you know," she said with forced casualness. "I don't have any way to repay this kind of treatment."
"Actually, you might have more opportunities than you think," I replied with a mysterious smile.
Her eyebrows shot up with curiosity. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, when I officially move in with Orion after our wedding ceremony, Grandmother might not want to relocate to his penthouse. She's very attached to her gardens and her routines. That would mean I'd be spending less time with her—not that I'd abandon her," I added quickly, "but I couldn't be there every single day like I am now."
Vivian's face lit up with understanding, and for the first time in days, she looked genuinely pleased. "So Orion is really your mysterious husband? I saw the news coverage—talk about turning a curse into a blessing! Don't worry about Grandmother. I'll take care of her." She paused with a mischievous grin. "Besides, letting me live rent-free in that gorgeous mansion? I'd be crazy not to keep her company."
I laughed, realizing how completely our dynamic had shifted. This wasn't the bitter, resentful woman who'd once drugged my drinks and plotted my downfall. This was someone I could actually trust—maybe even call a friend.
The drive home should have been peaceful, but as we approached my car, Vivian suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
"Wait," she whispered urgently, her head swiveling to scan the parking area. "There are men in dark suits getting into cars behind us. They're following us."
I followed her gaze and spotted the familiar black sedans that had become a constant fixture in my life. "Oh, those are our bodyguards," I explained. "Even though Orion managed to kick Devan and his ally Charles out of the company, he's convinced we can't let our guard down. He thinks we still need to be vigilant."
The mention of their names transformed Vivian's expression into something almost feral. Her jaw clenched, and her hands curled into fists. "He's damn right we do," she snarled. "Because getting fired is letting them off easy. It's not nearly enough of a price for what they did—not for Devan, not for Charles, and especially not for that fucking piece of shit—Dwayne."
The raw fury in her voice made my heart ache for what she'd endured. "I don't know exactly what they put you through, but I can see it's left scars. I'm sorry you had to go through that alone."
"Orion's approach is too passive," she said through gritted teeth, still staring at the security vehicles. "We need to take the fight to them, not just wait for them to make the next move."
"Well, you can discuss strategy with him tonight," I said gently. "He's coming over for dinner."
Vivian's expression immediately shifted to something resembling guilt. "He's coming here? Tonight?"
"Of course," I said with a smile I couldn't suppress. "You know, now that the whole world knows I'm his wife, he can hardly contain his eagerness to spend time with me. It's actually rather sweet."
I noticed Vivian's face grow tense again, and I reached over to squeeze her hand. "Hey, don't worry. He trusts me, I trust you, so he'll trust you too. We're all on the same side now."
"I don't need his trust," she said with characteristic stubbornness, though her tone lacked its usual bite.
"Of course you don't," I agreed with amusement. "Silly me for worrying."