Chapter 324

Margaret's words made Vivian pause. She exhaled sharply. "You're right. As much as I care about you, my son comes first. I can't risk causing problems for him."

"Finally, you're making sense!" Vivian's shoulders relaxed as she gestured toward the gap in the wall. "Go. Now."

Margaret gripped Vivian's hand, her expression serious. "Come with me. I won't leave you behind to face danger alone."

"I'm fine here," Vivian said with a dry laugh. "Honestly, it's better than being trapped in the Blackwood estate. They won't hurt me, but if I run with you? That's a different story."

Guilt flickered in Margaret's eyes. "The Blackwoods treated you horribly before... and for that, I'm sorry. I wasn't cruel to you because I hated you. I just thought you and Nathaniel were miserable together—two people forcing something that wasn't there. I wanted you to walk away." She swallowed hard. "I'm not a monster."

Her voice trembled. "I promise I'll never pressure you about children again. I'll never call you cursed. Just... think about coming back to Nathaniel. The Blackwoods will treat you better than the Baldwins ever could. I'll stand by you, no matter what." Tears glistened in her eyes.

Vivian's chest tightened. Margaret—proud, stubborn Margaret—was humbling herself.

For the first time, Vivian considered letting go of old grudges. She'd never truly hated Margaret. Now, seeing her like this, something shifted. A smirk tugged at her lips. "Honestly? 'Cursed' has a nice ring to it."

Margaret groaned. "Must you always be so difficult? I apologized! Can't you just forgive me?" She pouted like a scolded child.

Vivian arched a brow. "Maybe. I'll think about it. Go home and wait for my answer."

"Really?" Margaret's face lit up. "Nathaniel will be thrilled. That man's pride wouldn't let him beg, so I had to step in."

I was joking, Vivian thought wryly. She just needed Margaret to leave. Deep down, she knew—her time with Nathaniel was over. No second chances.

With a reluctant nod, Margaret crawled through the gap. Before disappearing, she muttered, "This is the most undignified thing I've ever done. If it weren't for you all, I'd have fought my way out."

Vivian bit back a laugh. "Oh, absolutely. You look very majestic crawling through a hole in the wall."

Once Margaret was gone, Vivian scooped dirt to conceal the gap. "Done." She dusted her hands off, turning—

And froze.

Julian stood there, arms crossed.

Vivian stumbled back. "How—how long have you been there?"

Dressed in black athletic wear, a headband holding back his sweat-dampened hair, Julian looked unfairly attractive. "Just got here. Out for a midnight run?"

"Run?" she echoed cautiously.

"Yeah. What else would I be doing?" His gaze dropped to the freshly covered hole. "And you? What's so interesting about this spot?"

"Nothing!"