Chapter 547

Vivian Bennett's gaze fell upon the dining table.

Several dishes were neatly arranged.

A rich aroma, mingling with the natural flavors of different ingredients, wafted towards her.

She froze.

Her eyes slowly shifted to the man standing at the kitchen doorway.

Liam Sullivan still held a spatula in his hand. His shirt sleeves were casually rolled up, and the top two buttons of his collar were undone.

"Did you really make these?" Vivian's voice held disbelief.

The dishes before her, from their presentation to their color, exuded a professional touch.

This was not the level of someone who had just hastily learned a few tricks.

"Of course." Liam raised an eyebrow, a trace of pride flashing in his eyes. "There's nothing in this world I can't learn."

Vivian took a few steps closer, examining the plate of steamed sea bass carefully.

The fish was intact, the knife work delicate, with shredded scallions and ginger evenly spread.

The blanched bok choy beside it was a vibrant green and glossy. The oyster sauce beef looked tender and tempting.

She looked up, her expression complex. "Did you... often cook for others before?"

The question left her lips, but her heart clenched.

She remembered the rumors about his past, that first love he was said to have never forgotten.

Liam put down the spatula and walked over to her.

"You're the first." His tone was firm. "And the only one."

A warmth spread through Vivian's heart.

Then, a pang of guilt followed. "I was supposed to cook today... I bought all the groceries, wanted you to have a meal ready when you got home."

She gestured towards the refrigerator.

It was packed with ingredients she had purchased that afternoon.

"Then you're punished." Liam reached out and pinched her cheek. "You have to finish all these dishes. Not a single bite left."

The dinner atmosphere was impossibly cozy.

They sat at the table, Liam constantly adding food to her bowl.

Vivian ate slowly, savoring each bite.

So, when he applied himself to learning something, he could achieve this level.

After the meal, Liam's phone rang.

It was an overseas call from France.

He walked to the balcony to answer. Vivian cleared the table in the living room.

She could faintly hear him speaking in French.

A few minutes later, Liam returned to the living room, his expression normal.

"There's a minor issue with the wedding dress." He said lightly. "The designer says the quality of the pearls isn't ideal, needs reselection. The completion date might be delayed by a few days."

Vivian's hand, wiping the table, paused.

"Delayed?" She looked up.

"Mhm, but it's fine. Striving for perfection is always good." Liam hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I want to give you the best."

Vivian didn't speak.

But her heart inexplicably sank.

That night, she lay in Liam's arms, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Moonlight from outside filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting a silvery streak on the floor.

"Liam." She spoke softly.

"Mhm?" The man's eyes were closed, his arm tightening around her.

"Let's go get our marriage certificate tomorrow." Vivian turned to face him. "The wedding can be planned slowly. I don't care about the ceremony."

Liam opened his eyes.

In the darkness, his eyes were startlingly bright.

"Why say that suddenly?" He caressed her face. "You weren't like this before when I was the one in a hurry."

"I just feel..." Vivian bit her lower lip. "Since we've decided to be together, what difference does one day earlier or later make?"

"There is a difference." Liam's voice was gentle but firm. "I want to give you a perfect wedding, marry you in front of everyone. That's not a step we can skip."

Vivian fell silent.

She knew he meant it.

In his heart, the wedding was the embodiment of his promise, his way of declaring to the world that she belonged to him.

But she couldn't wait.

That vague unease coiled around her like vines, tightening its grip.

"But..."

"No buts." Liam interrupted her, kissing her forehead. "Don't overthink it. I'll push them to hurry. I'm more anxious than you are, wish I could marry you home tomorrow."

He paused, his tone softening. "But the wedding must happen, and it must be grand. That's what I owe you."

Vivian buried her face in his chest.

She couldn't say it.

Those baseless fears, that uncertainty about the future—she couldn't utter a single word.

He would only think she was worrying unnecessarily.

"Alright." She finally conceded. "Then hurry them up."

"Don't worry." Liam ruffled her hair. "Were you upset by Jason Harper today? Don't dwell on unhappy things. Get some good sleep."

Vivian nodded.

Maybe she really was overthinking.

They had overcome so many obstacles. Could something go wrong at this final step?

It wouldn't.

She told herself that.

In the following days, Vivian threw herself wholeheartedly into the wedding preparations.

Choosing invitation styles, finalizing the menu, trying hairstyles and makeup...

She was constantly on her feet.

Liam also postponed a lot of work, accompanying her back and forth.

Every time she saw the exquisite design sketches in the wedding planner's portfolio, Vivian would temporarily forget the unease in her heart.

Until that afternoon.

While looking for a document in Liam's study, she accidentally glimpsed a new email notification on his computer screen.

The sender was an unfamiliar English name.

In the email's subject line, it clearly stated—

"Urgent Notification Regarding Ms. Stewart's Condition."