Chapter 7

As Jayden stepped down from the helicopter with Thomas close behind, his excitement bubbled over. "Mommy, we're in America!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe as he took in the sprawling airport and the bustling activity around them.

Vivienne sighed softly, holding Jayla close to her chest. Her daughter seemed uneasy, her small hands gripping tightly onto her mother’s blouse as her wide eyes scanned the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Be careful, sweetheart," Vivienne said gently, planting a kiss on Jayla’s forehead.

Jayla wrinkled her nose and glanced around, her discomfort evident. "This place is strange and hot," she muttered, frowning. "I don’t like America. When are we going back to Canada, Mommy?"

Vivienne crouched down to meet her daughter’s eye level, offering her a reassuring smile. "Soon, darling," she promised, though the weight of reality pressed heavily on her shoulders. Their move to the United States was not temporary, at least not in the short term. She was bound to her new role as a neurosurgeon at one of the most prestigious medical centers in the country for a minimum of one year.

"Soon like really soon, or far soon?" Jayla pressed, her sharp eyes studying Vivienne’s face for any sign of dishonesty.

"Soon soon, baby," Vivienne replied with a laugh, though the answer was far from convincing.

Before Jayla could inquire further, three tall, broad-shouldered men in black suits approached them. Their sunglasses glinted in the sunlight, and their presence was both commanding and reassuring.

"Welcome to America, ma’am," they greeted Vivienne in unison before turning their attention to Thomas.

"It’s been a while, sir," one of the men said with a respectful nod.

Thomas returned the gesture, his tone professional. "Indeed. Take the luggage to the car. How many vehicles did you bring?"

"Two, sir," one of the men replied.

"Good. Hand me the keys to the other car," Thomas instructed. Without hesitation, the bodyguard handed over the keys, bowing slightly to Vivienne before moving to load the luggage.

"Who are they?" Vivienne asked curiously as she followed Thomas toward a sleek black Range Rover Defender parked nearby.

"They’re from my security company," Thomas explained casually. "They assist with situations like this—ensuring a smooth transition to a new location."

Vivienne blinked in surprise. "You have a security company?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Just how many businesses do you run exactly?"

Thomas chuckled, opening the car door for Jayden and Jayla. The twins hesitated for a moment before climbing in, their small hands clutching the seat edges as they settled in.

"About ten, I think," Thomas replied with a grin.

"Ten businesses? That’s incredible," Vivienne admitted, her tone a mix of admiration and disbelief. "I could never manage something like that. I’d probably run a company into the ground. Honestly, I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened without you guiding me through managing the estates."

Thomas’s smile softened as he looked at her. "You remind me so much of Madam Selena," he said thoughtfully. "Not only do you resemble her physically, but you also share her kind-hearted nature."

Vivienne glanced down, touched by the comparison. "I’m glad to hear that," she murmured before climbing into the passenger seat.

Thomas slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. As the car began to move, Vivienne reflected on their journey to this point. When she had first informed Thomas of her decision to return to America for work, his reaction had been immediate and intense. Concern had flashed across his face, and he had pleaded with her to reconsider.

"You can’t go back there alone," he had argued. "You know the risks, Vivienne. I promised Madam Olivia I would protect you."

Despite his protests, Vivienne had stood firm, explaining that this opportunity was too important to pass up. In the end, Thomas relented, but only on the condition that he accompany her to ensure her safety.

After the tumultuous end of her marriage to Magnus, Vivienne had confided in both her mother and Thomas about the emotional abuse she had endured. Her mother’s outrage had been swift and fiery, but Thomas’s reaction had been quieter, more calculated. He had even suggested pursuing legal action against Magnus, though Vivienne had ultimately declined.

Now, as the car sped through the city streets, Vivienne found herself wondering what awaited her in this new chapter of her life.

An hour later, they pulled up in front of a towering building with sleek, modern architecture. The concierge greeted them warmly as Thomas carried a drowsy Jayden and a sleeping Jayla into the lobby.

"You could’ve stayed at one of your estates," Thomas remarked as they entered the elevator, his tone tinged with disapproval.

Vivienne shook her head. "That would’ve been too much," she replied firmly. "I don’t want maids or anything like that. I want to raise Jayla and Jayden properly. I don’t want them growing up as spoiled rich kids who look down on others."

Thomas smiled faintly, his respect for Vivienne growing even more. "They have your kind spirit as their mother," he said. "There’s no way they’d turn out like that."

The elevator doors opened onto the fifth floor, revealing a spacious, five-bedroom condo with warm, inviting décor. The minimalist brown-and-white color scheme immediately reminded Vivienne of her old condo in Canada.

"I love this place," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Your team did an amazing job, Thomas."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. It’s fantastic," Vivienne confirmed with a nod.

The twins’ room was particularly delightful, decorated with colorful posters of Pokémon and Angry Birds. Jayla’s love for the red bird and Jayden’s passion for Pikachu were evident in every detail.

"Thank you for the thoughtful design," Vivienne said to Thomas, her gratitude shining through.

"It was nothing, dear," Thomas replied modestly, though the pride in his work was clear.

Later that evening, as Thomas prepared to leave for his hotel, Vivienne stopped him. "You don’t have to stay at a hotel," she insisted. "This place is more than big enough for all of us."

Thomas hesitated but finally agreed, touched by her kindness. "Thank you, Vivienne," he said quietly.

Meanwhile, across the city, Magnus sat in the back of his luxury sedan, en route to a critical shareholder meeting. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen to see Daniel’s name.

"Yes?" Magnus answered, his tone curt.

"Sir, she’s back," Daniel reported, his voice steady.

Magnus frowned. "Who?"

" Madam Vivienne," Daniel clarified. "She returned to America about a week ago."

Magnus’s heart skipped a beat. For years, he had searched for her, longing for a chance to make amends. And now, out of the blue, she was back.

"Why did she come back?" Magnus asked, his voice betraying a mix of hope and apprehension.

"I’m still investigating, sir," Daniel replied. "But I’ll update you as soon as I have more information."

"Good work," Magnus said, ending the call.

As the city lights blurred past the car window, Magnus leaned back in his seat, his thoughts consumed by the news. Vivienne’s return meant one thing: everything was about to change.