Chapter 3: She Saved My Life

Reginald's POV

Upon hearing the voice, my face darkened as I realized the woman in white dress was actually Vivian. "Vivian?" My jaw clenched as I saw the white dress that the one I'd gotten Elena for our second anniversary.

The dress didn't quite fit her, revealing much of her ample curves, yet she seemed completely oblivious as she embraced me. "Miss me?"

Ignoring her flirtation, I changed the topic. "Why are you wearing Elena's clothes?" I kept my voice flat and controlled.

Vivian's laugh tinkled like crystal as she explained, "Oh, I spilled coffee on my outfit earlier. Had to borrow something." She sashayed toward me. "Your wife won't mind, will she? Or should I say... ex-wife?"

"Where is she?"

"No idea." Vivian shrugged. "Place was empty when I got here. The maid let me in - she knows me well enough by now, doesn't she?"

She reached for me, perfectly manicured nails trailing down my arm. "Reggie..."

I stepped back. "Take it off. It doesn't suit you."

"Come on, don't be so cold." She pouted. "I thought we could celebrate your newfound freedom. The papers are signed, aren't they?"

"How did you know about that?" I asked coldly.

Her smile faltered for just a fraction of a second. "Oh, please. Everyone knows you were headed for divorce. It was just a matter of time."

"Meet me at Eclipse Lounge tonight," I cut her off. "You should go now."

"But Reggie-"

"Now, Vivian."

After she left, I headed upstairs to the master bedroom. The bed was rumpled - not how Elena usually left it. Her side of the closet was untouched, rows of designer clothes I'd bought her still hanging pristinely. But the divorce papers from last night were gone.

Something's not adding up, I thought, changing into a fresh suit.

Eclipse Lounge was already packed when I arrived. The usual crowd - trust fund kids burning through daddy's money, wannabe influencers hoping to get noticed, and the actual players who ran this city.

"Reginald!" Marcus waved me over to the VIP section. "About time you joined the land of the living again!"

"I've been swamped with work lately" I said.

He laughed, signaling for drinks. "Oh please, we all know the Vanderbilt empire runs itself these days. Speaking of which..." He leaned in closer. "Word is you're finally ditching the gold digger. About damn time."

I felt my jaw tighten. "Watch your mouth."

"What? Everyone knows she only married you for the money. I mean, a Stewart? Please." He scoffed. "Though I gotta hand it to her family - pulling off that whole drunk night setup was pretty clever."

Before I could respond, a ripple went through the crowd as Vivian walked in wearing a red dress. She moved through the crowd, greeting everyone with quick kisses and practiced smiles.

"Now that's more like it," Marcus whistled. "A real queen for the Vanderbilt king."

A group of socialites gathered around Vivian immediately, her smile widening with each word of praise.

"Vivian, that dress is absolutely divine!"

"Red is definitely your color, darling!"

"Indeed, not everyone can shine like Vivian - just look at a poor princess from Stewart. She's become the industry's running joke."

Vivian's laugh carried across the room. "Ladies, please! Let's not waste time discussing the past. We're here to celebrate new beginnings, aren't we?" she said, moving even closer to me.

Marcus and James sidled up to me, grinning. "Reginald, seeing you and Vivian so close, are you two tying the knot soon?" they asked with a wink.

"Yeah?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why are you hurry?"

Marcus grinned and said, "It's just that I think that woman isn't good enough for you. Why settle for less?"

I scoffed, took a sip from my drink.

Suddenly, Adam appeared at my elbow and whispered, "One of our people thinks they spotted Mrs. Vanderbilt at JFK."

I paused, tie half-knotted. "What?"

"Security camera footage matches her description, but we lost her after the international terminal."

"Keep me posted." I said before Adam nodded and left. Elena at the airport? The missing papers?

At this moment, Marcus called everyone to gather into a circle for a game, pulling me back from my thoughts. "Truth or dare time! Come on, Reg, you're not getting out of this one."

"What are we, sixteen?" I muttered, but let myself be pulled in.

After a few rounds, the bottle's neck pointed right at me.

"Alright, Reggie's turn!" A tipsy debutante giggled. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth." Might as well get it over with.

"How did you and Vivian really meet? There are so many rumors..." the debutante hesitated.

The memory knocked the wind out of me. Rain-slicked roads. Screeching tires. The taste of blood in my mouth.

"She saved my life," I said simply. "Car accident, three years ago. She pulled me out before the car caught fire."

"So romantic!" The debutante sighed. "Like a movie!"

"Speaking of movies," Marcus grinned, "Vivian, any truth to those Oscar buzz rumors?"

But I was barely listening. Something about that memory felt... off. Like trying to recall a dream that keeps slipping away.

Minutes later, Vivian was leaning against me. "Take me home?" she murmured, breath warm against my ear.

The car ride was quiet. Too quiet.

"Come up for a nightcap?" she suggested with her slender fingers tracing a circle on my chest as we pulled up to her building.

Just as I was about to respond, my phone suddenly rang in my pocket and an enraged voice pierced through, "You imbecile! What is this nonsense about a divorce?"