Chapter 416

"I'll go with you. The child was innocent in all this." Vivian made the decision to accompany Ethan and Cassandra to the cemetery.

Located on the western outskirts of Newport City, the burial ground was surrounded by dense woods. The isolation made the place feel unsettling, even in daylight.

Vivian sat in the backseat, watching the trees blur past through the window. Her expression was heavy. No matter what had happened between her and Cassandra, the child didn’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire.

She couldn’t escape the guilt.

The car was thick with tension, broken only by Cassandra’s quiet sobs. Despite her hatred for the woman, Vivian understood a mother’s grief.

She reached forward, offering a tissue.

Cassandra turned, her eyes red-rimmed. "Miss Lockhart, I’m not trying to manipulate you. The pain is real. And I’m terrified—"

"Please," Vivian cut in gently. "Just stop appearing in front of me and Ethan. Every time I see you, I remember that day. The fall. The blood."

"That’s enough." Ethan’s sharp tone silenced Cassandra. Clearly, he didn’t want Vivian pulling away because of her.

But Vivian only shrugged. "Don’t worry. I won’t interfere in your lives."

Since they were on the subject, she might as well offer a solution. "If you two plan to stay together, you’ll want children, right? When I was at Stanford, I knew a professor researching artificial wombs. I could ask if the procedure would work for you—"

She figured if they had their own child, Ethan wouldn’t fight for Adrian and Abigail. And maybe, just maybe, she could make amends.

"Really?" Cassandra’s dull eyes suddenly sparked. "You’d do that for us?"

"If it exists, tell me!" Cassandra clutched Ethan’s arm. "I just want to carry on the Blackwood bloodline. You’d support that, wouldn’t you, Ethan?"

Ethan’s grip on the wheel tightened. His silence spoke louder than words.

Vivian pressed on. "Mr. Blackwood, you’re not getting any younger. An heir would secure your legacy. And it might even strengthen your relationship with Miss Delacroix."

She leaned forward. "The procedure has had successful trials. It’s just not public yet. But I have connections. If you’re willing—"

"Enough!" Ethan slammed his palm against the horn. The blaring sound made both women jump.

His glare was icy as it met Vivian’s in the rearview mirror. "If you’re so eager to help, why not do something useful?"

Vivian blinked. "What do you mean?"

Ethan’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Instead of an artificial womb, why don’t you carry the child?"

Vivian choked. "Are you out of your mind, Blackwood? That’s not the same thing at all!"