Chapter 470

Vivian didn't have the patience to deal with Julian any longer. She spun on her heel and slid into the driver's seat.

The car tires screeched as she sped away from the cemetery.

She deliberately avoided glancing at Ethan's supposed grave.

In her heart, she knew with absolute certainty that he was still breathing.

Moonlight bathed the city streets as Vivian raced back to Sophia's downtown apartment.

The day's events had drained her completely. Her eyelids felt like lead weights.

All she craved was oblivion in the form of deep, dreamless sleep.

The moment she pushed open the door, two figures came into view - Sophia and Liam.

Their gazes locked, tension crackling between them after their explosive confrontation at Blackwood Group earlier.

"Vivian! Thank God you're safe." Sophia rushed forward, gripping her arm. "Liam was about to file a missing person report."

She studied Vivian's exhausted face. "When was the last time you ate? Let me fix you something."

Vivian shook her head weakly. "Not hungry. Just... so tired." Her words slurred slightly. "Need to sleep."

Without another word, she brushed past Liam toward the guest room.

"Sleep?" Sophia's eyes narrowed as she watched Vivian's unsteady retreat.

This wasn't normal behavior. Not after Adrian's disappearance.

The Vivian she knew would be tearing the city apart right now, not collapsing into bed.

"Did Julian do something to you?" Sophia demanded, blocking Vivian's path. "You're acting strange."

She shot a meaningful look at Liam. They both knew Julian was the reason for their breakup.

It burned Sophia that after everything Liam had sacrificed, some scheming cousin could destroy their relationship.

If it had been Ethan who won Vivian's heart, she could accept that. But Julian? Unforgivable.

She'd planned to give Vivian a piece of her mind, but the hollow look in her friend's eyes stopped her.

"Tell us what happened," Sophia insisted, hands on hips. "We'll make him pay if he hurt you."

Vivian's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Since when do I need protection from the likes of Julian?"

Sophia frowned. That much was true - Vivian could handle herself against ten Julians.

"Then what is it? Did you get news about Adrian?" Her voice softened with concern.

"Not about Adrian." Vivian's shoulders slumped. "Just... need to stop thinking for a while."

Her breathing grew shallow, each word more labored than the last. This wasn't the fierce woman they knew.

"I'll be fine after some rest." The forced smile didn't reach her eyes as she grasped the doorknob.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Liam and Sophia exchanging worried glances in the silent apartment.