Chapter 86

Skyview Retreat

The primeval forest was lush and vibrant during daylight hours—a natural sanctuary where Newport City's elite came to unwind. But when night fell, it transformed into a treacherous playground for predators.

At its heart lay a concealed bunker, its entrance choked with twisting vines and thorns. Few ventured here. Tonight, an eerie blue glow pulsed from within, like spectral flames dancing in the darkness.

Vivian Lockhart sat motionless at the bottom of the pit. The damp air reeked of mildew, and the occasional scuttle of rodents echoed around her. Her delicate features remained impassive.

Pathetic.

That fool Isabella Thornton actually believed trapping Vivian in this abandoned shelter would break her.

But Vivian had been trained in survival by her grandfather since childhood. What would terrify most was nothing to her.

She could escape a hundred different ways.

Yet she stayed.

Not only that—she deliberately made herself look like a wreck, as if clinging to life by a thread.

Vivian struck a stone against the ground, sparking a small fire. In its flickering light, she etched numbers into the wall with another rock.

"10, 9, 8, 7..."

She counted silently.

According to her calculations, Liam should be arriving soon with Leonard Kingsley's men.

Vivian mussed her hair further, then smeared dirt across her cheeks for effect.

Right on cue, the roar of an SUV engine cut through the night, growing louder.

She doused the flames and collapsed dramatically onto the cold floor.

A metallic bang shattered the silence as the bunker door was forced open.

Moonlight spilled in, illuminating a tall figure dropping down. Vivian drew a breath, ready to deliver a heart-wrenching plea for help—

Then froze.

"Vivian. Are you hurt?"

That voice—cold, sharp, unmistakable—sent a jolt through her.

Nathaniel?!

What the hell was he doing here?

Her mind raced. This wasn’t part of the plan. How was she supposed to keep up the act now?

Nathaniel’s large hands gripped her shoulders, his gaze scanning her under the pale light. When he found no injuries, the tension in his jaw eased slightly.

"Isabella has crossed a line. This ends now."

Moonlight carved his sharp features into something ethereal. Vivian caught herself staring, mesmerized.

She shook it off.

"Mr. Blackwood, I'm fine. Liam will be here any minute. You should go."

She pulled away, putting polite distance between them.

This close quarters was inappropriate for a soon-to-be-divorced couple.

More importantly—Liam was supposed to arrive with Leonard’s men. She had a performance to deliver.

If Nathaniel stayed—or worse, took her away—the entire plan would collapse.

"That worthless pretty boy again."

Nathaniel’s expression darkened. He caught her chin, forcing her to meet his piercing gaze.

"Explain something to me. What spell has Liam Osborne cast on you?"

Vivian forced a sweet smile.

"Well... he’s handsome? My type, I suppose."

A flimsy excuse, but she needed him gone.

"So leave. Let him play the hero. You’re just the ex-husband—no need to interfere."

Nathaniel’s grip tightened.

Handsome?

He was widely considered Newport City’s most eligible bachelor. How could some influencer-faced pretty boy compare?

"Enough."

Done arguing, he scooped her up without warning.

Vivian tensed to protest—then went rigid.

A primal warning shot through her.

"Nathaniel—don’t move!" she hissed.