Chapter 156

Vivian descended into the basement, her footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. She needed to retrieve that letter - the one Evelyn had guarded like a sacred relic for four long years inside that ancient wooden box.

"Miss Lockhart," Evelyn's voice trembled as she handed over the sealed envelope. "Your mother... Mrs. Lockhart gave me this right before... before she passed. She made me swear an oath - only to deliver it if your marriage ended in divorce."

The elderly housekeeper's hands shook as Vivian took the letter. The memory of Arthur and Isabella Lockhart's final moments still haunted Evelyn's dreams. How desperately they'd clung to hope that their daughter would find happiness with Nathaniel Blackwood.

Vivian's fingers traced the familiar handwriting on the envelope - "My Dearest Viv." Her mother's elegant script blurred as tears flooded her vision.

Four years. Four years since she'd been holed up in that Stanford University lab, obsessively chasing breakthroughs in quantum wave theory while her world collapsed. The brilliant physicist who could solve any equation hadn't seen the catastrophe coming.

The Lockharts had always respected her work. Never disturbed her during crucial experiments. Until that fateful day when security dragged her from the lab to learn of their bankruptcy... and their suicide.

Rage had filled the void where grief should have been. Rage at faceless enemies. At parents who left without explanation. Before she could identify who to blame, her grandfather forced her into marriage with Nathaniel.

For four years, she'd refused to visit their graves. Refused to acknowledge the Lockhart name. All because they'd died without a word.

"Stupid," Vivian whispered, tears splashing onto the envelope. "I was so stupid. They did leave me words. I just... I wasn't ready to hear them."

The letter was brief. Each sentence struck like a physical blow:

"My darling Viv, forgive us for leaving without goodbye. If you're reading this, your marriage has ended. We know you're hurting. But promise us - no matter what you discover about the Blackwoods, don't hate them. We have so much left unsaid, but this matters most: Live happily. Don't seek vengeance. A Lockhart needn't be great, only happy. We'll meet again."

Vivian's entire body shook as she clutched the paper to her chest. Four years of pent-up grief erupted in wrenching sobs that left her gasping for air.

Evelyn wrapped frail arms around her. "Let it out, child. You've carried this too long."

When the storm passed, Vivian wiped her face with determination. "You're coming to live with me, Evelyn. No more basements."

The old woman's smile was like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. "Just like old times, Miss Viv."

Then curiosity flickered in Evelyn's eyes. "What did they say?"

"That I should live happily. Not seek revenge." Vivian stared at the smudged ink. "They specifically mentioned the Blackwoods..."

Evelyn frowned. "Strange. If there's no secret, why wait until after divorce? Unless... the ones who destroyed Lockhart Enterprises were connected to the Blackwoods?"