Chapter 168

The exhaustion weighed heavily on Vivian's limbs, her body protesting after the day's relentless activities. Pregnancy nausea churned in her stomach, making her grip the quilt tighter. The vulgar curses embroidered on the fabric seemed to mock her as fury burned in her chest.

She turned her blazing gaze toward Nathaniel, her voice icy. "Well? What are you going to do about this? Your precious mistress has crossed every line imaginable!"

Cassandra had pushed her too far this time. Vivian had ignored the woman's petty schemes before, but this? This was unforgivable.

If she let it slide now, there would be no end to it.

Nathaniel straightened, his expression unreadable. Instead of answering, he countered with a question. "What do you want me to do?"

Vivian scoffed. "Oh, so now you're willing to listen? Would you actually turn against your darling Cassandra for my sake?"

He tilted his chin up, looking down at her with that infuriating superiority. "She went too far. If your demand is reasonable, I'll see it done."

"Reasonable?" Vivian's laugh was sharp. "You think 'too far' covers what she did?"

His casual dismissal of Cassandra's cruelty stoked her rage. Was he really so blinded by his obsession with that woman?

The thought of how she had once worshipped him made her sick.

"You want reasonable?" Vivian's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Fine. I want her on her knees, apologizing to me on live international media. If she's sincere, I might consider forgiveness."

Nathaniel's frown deepened, tension thickening the air. "Don't push it."

"Push it?" She laughed outright. "She cursed me to die in the most disgusting way possible! If she had the guts to do it, she should have the guts to face the consequences!"

"I'll make her apologize. But dragging this into the media is unnecessary."

"Unnecessary?" Vivian's voice was steel. "The world should know exactly what kind of monster she is. And if it becomes a joke? That's your family's problem, not mine."

Nathaniel studied her, his gaze hardening. The woman before him was nothing like the gentle, composed Vivian he once knew.

"You weren't like this before," he said. "Cassandra is pregnant. Is this really necessary?"

Vivian's laughter was hollow. "Necessary? You think this is me being aggressive? Oh, Nathaniel, you have no idea."

She swept her hair back, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You'd better keep your little lover close. Because if she ever falls into my hands, I won't stop at an apology. I'll make sure she pays for every single thing she's done."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode out of Blackwood Villa, her head held high.

Every inch of this place repulsed her. She never wanted to set foot here again.

Then the pain in her abdomen flared violently. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead as she swallowed hard—