Chapter 3

As soon as Magnus left the house the next morning, Vivienne retrieved the divorce agreement and read through it. She then signed it in the designated spot before placing the paperwork back into the envelope and setting it on his journal, ensuring it would be the first thing he saw when he returned home.

Exhaling sharply, Vivienne took one last look around the study before heading back to the bedroom, where her empty suitcase lay open on the bed. She methodically packed her remaining presentable clothes, tied her hair into a bun, and glanced at the mirror above the dresser, her heart heavy with sadness, before leaving the room.

"Are you going somewhere, ma'am?" Evelyn asked as Vivienne descended the stairs with her packed luggage.

"Yes," Vivienne replied firmly. "I'm leaving this place and never coming back."

Evelyn’s jaw dropped in shock. "M-Ma'am, is this a joke? Are you really leaving Sir Magnus?"

"My senses have finally returned," Vivienne said bitterly. "I’ve realized just how blind I’ve been these past five years."

Evelyn, who had always been more than a maid to Vivienne—almost a foster mother—nodded knowingly. Even without Vivienne voicing her troubles, Evelyn understood. Months ago, Evelyn had even suggested slipping sleeping pills into Magnus’s meals, stealing his money, and running far away.

Back then, Vivienne had laughed it off, never imagining herself resorting to such desperate measures. But now, as she stood on the precipice of escape, she couldn’t help but entertain the idea. If only she had drugged him, stolen his gold, and vanished. A single piece of gold could’ve made her wealthy beyond measure.

But her inner voice scoffed at the thought. Do you think Magnus would’ve let you go so easily? And she knew the answer. His power and influence were too vast; the police would catch her in hours, and he’d ensure she paid dearly for defying him.

"I understand, ma’am," Evelyn finally said. "So where will you go now?"

"I don’t know," Vivienne admitted with a sigh. "But I have some... friends who might help."

It was a lie. She had no friends. Her best friend had abandoned her the moment she gave up her career for Magnus. And he had isolated her from the world, caging her within the cold walls of his mansion.

The only time she left the house was for grocery shopping, and even then, his driver monitored her every move. Once, when she stayed out two minutes longer than the thirty-minute limit, Magnus had punished her by forbidding the maids from serving her food for an entire day.

"Very well then, ma’am," Evelyn said with a small smile. "Please, take care of yourself."

"Thank you for everything, Evelyn," Vivienne replied, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.

"Is Madam Vivienne leaving?" one of the younger maids asked, wide-eyed, as she entered the room.

"Why don’t you announce it with a megaphone?" Evelyn scolded sharply. "What if the driver overhears you?"

"He’s with Sir Magnus at the company," the maid mumbled, pouting, which earned her a scoff from Evelyn.

"You don’t have to be so hard on her," Vivienne chided gently. Then, addressing the younger maid, she added, "Yes, I’m leaving. Take care of yourselves—and him."

"Oh, ma’am Vivienne, we’re really going to miss you," the maid, Emily, said tearfully, which made Vivienne sigh.

"Don’t cry, Emily," she said, patting the maid’s back gently. "I’ll be fine. If I could survive this hell for five years, I can handle anything."

Her remark drew a round of laughter from the staff. When it subsided, Vivienne offered them a bittersweet smile. "This is goodbye."

With that, she stepped out of the house, the mansion’s cold aura vanishing behind her as she made her way to the estate’s exit. She had only fifty dollars in her pocket and no savings. No job prospects. The reality of her situation loomed large.

"Miss, where are you headed?" the taxi driver asked as she climbed into the cab.

"Starbucks," she replied, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. She hadn’t eaten since the day before, and her pregnancy nausea made it hard to keep anything down. All she’d managed was a bag of crackers.

The ride to Starbucks took about thirty minutes. Vivienne paid the driver, then stepped into the café, choosing the most secluded corner to sit.

"Good afternoon, ma’am. May I take your order?" a waiter approached, smiling warmly.

"Afternoon," Vivienne murmured. "Just a coffee, please."

"Anything with that?"

"Just water," she said with a strained smile. The waiter nodded politely and left. She had less than thirty dollars to her name and couldn’t even afford the pastries she craved.

The realization of her dependence on Magnus hit her hard. She hadn’t even been gone an hour, and she was already struggling to survive.

"You’re so pathetic," Vivienne muttered under her breath as the waiter returned with her order.

"Thank you," she said softly, taking the coffee.

The aroma was intoxicating, momentarily distracting her from her dire circumstances. She finished the coffee quickly, driven more by hunger than enjoyment. But her stomach still growled in protest.

After paying, she had less than ten dollars left. With no plan and no prospects, all she could do was sip water and pray for a miracle.

As she stared blankly at the empty cup, a shadow fell across her table. Before she could react, a middle-aged man took the seat opposite her.

"Who are you?" Vivienne asked cautiously, her eyes scanning him. The man looked wealthy, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit.

"Apologies for my abruptness," he said, bowing slightly. "My name is Daniel Carter."

Vivienne frowned, confusion etched on her face.

"You are Miss Vivienne Marlowe, correct?" he asked.

"Yes," she said hesitantly. "What’s this about?"

"I’m sorry it took so long to find you," Daniel began. "But you need to come with me immediately. Your mother is gravely ill and wishes to see you."

Vivienne’s eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding.

"My... mother?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

She had no mother. Or at least, that’s what she’d believed her entire life. What was this man talking about?