Chapter 112

Sebastian Valdemar stiffened as his younger sister suddenly embraced him, his hands hovering awkwardly in midair to avoid touching her swollen belly.

"Bro..." Vivian Valdemar's muffled sob vibrated against his chest.

His brow furrowed as he grabbed her collar and pulled her away. "Tears won't help. Explain yourself first."

Who could understand his shock? The sister he'd sent abroad as an innocent girl now returned heavily pregnant.

Sophia Lowell stepped forward, scanning Vivian with concern. "Are you alright, Senior?"

Vivian peeked out from Sebastian's arms, her face lighting up at the sight of Sophia. "Little Pear!" Her sly gaze darted between them. "You two..."

"We're just colleagues," Sophia quickly clarified. "He teaches at the university. I'm a substitute lecturer."

Vivian pouted in disappointment. "I thought you were together."

Sophia focused on Vivian's situation instead. She glanced between Sebastian's stormy expression and Vivian's guilty demeanor.

"It's just a pregnancy." Vivian shrugged with forced nonchalance. "As for that scoundrel, forget him. This baby will be mine alone."

Sebastian scoffed. "You think raising a child is child's play?"

"What would you have me do?" Vivian protectively cradled her stomach. "I barely escaped. I'm never going back."

Sophia's chest tightened. Clearly her senior had endured something terrible overseas.

"Sebastian," she said softly, "let her rest first. She just got off the plane."

Sebastian studied his sister's exhausted face and relented. Grabbing the luggage, he strode ahead.

Vivian linked arms with Sophia and whispered, "Little Pear, since when does my brother listen to you? Don't tell me there's nothing between you."

"Today was literally our fourth meeting." Sophia sighed. "I invited him to dinner, then we came together when we heard you were returning."

Vivian's eyes reddened with emotion. "You're the best." She hugged Sophia tightly. "Having you here makes me feel safe."

Sophia frowned, recalling their six-month silence. "Where were you?"

"It's a long story..."

"Give me the short version."

Vivian glanced at Sebastian's retreating back and whispered in Sophia's ear, "A madman kept me captive for half a year. If not for help, you'd be visiting my urn now."

"Senior!" Sophia gasped.

Vivian forced a smile, but the shadows in her eyes betrayed her. Sophia's heart ached as she embraced Vivian's thin shoulders. "It's over now."

Airport announcements faded into the crowd. Each lost in thought, the trio moved toward the exit. Vivian's hand absently stroked her belly, her gaze drifting to the distance—toward nightmares she couldn't forget and a future she must face.