Chapter 565

Julian Klein stared at Vivian Bennett's bloodless face.

Rainwater streamed down her hair.

She looked like a paper doll just pulled from water.

Pale.

Fragile.

As if she would shatter at the slightest touch.

"Miss Bennett?"

Julian called again.

His voice held a tension he didn't even notice.

Vivian seemed to jolt awake.

She slowly turned her head.

Her eyes were empty as they met Julian's.

"Just now... you pulled me?"

Her voice was faint.

As thin as a thread about to snap.

Julian nodded.

"A car was speeding toward you. I happened to be on the sidewalk."

He paused.

"You were standing in the middle of the road. Didn't you see it?"

Vivian shook her head blankly.

She truly hadn't seen it.

Or rather.

She simply hadn't cared.

In that moment.

She had even thought.

If she were hit and sent flying.

Would everything just end?

The rain grew heavier.

Large drops pounded the asphalt.

Splashing up sheets of spray.

Julian looked at Vivian's slender figure.

She remained standing there.

Making no move to seek shelter.

"Where are you going?"

He asked.

Vivian was silent for a long time.

So long Julian thought she wouldn't answer.

"I don't know."

She finally spoke.

Her voice thick with exhaustion.

Julian frowned.

He reached out.

Grabbing Vivian's icy wrist.

"Get in the car first."

His tone brooked no argument.

Vivian didn't resist.

She was like a marionette.

Allowing Julian to guide her into the passenger seat.

The door closed.

Shutting out the sound of the rain.

The car interior was quiet.

Only the soft hum of the air conditioning broke the silence.

Julian started the engine.

The wipers swept back and forth across the windshield.

Carving clear arcs.

Vivian leaned against the seat.

Her empty gaze fixed on the streets rushing past outside.

She didn't know where to go.

Home?

Could that place still be called home?

Friends?

Did she even have any friends left?

The whole world seemed to have turned gray.

She was trapped within it.

Finding no way out.

The car eventually entered an upscale residential area.

It stopped before a standalone villa.

Julian turned off the engine.

He looked at Vivian.

"We're here."

Vivian finally snapped back to reality.

She glanced at the unfamiliar surroundings outside the window.

"This is... where?"

"My home."

Julian unbuckled his seatbelt.

"The rain is too heavy. Come inside for a while."

Vivian didn't move.

She looked at the beautiful villa before her.

Her heart felt no ripple of emotion.

Whose house it was.

What difference did it make?

Julian had already gotten out of the car.

He walked around to the passenger side.

Opened the door.

"Let's go."

He extended his hand.

Vivian hesitated.

Then placed her hand in his.

His hand was warm.

A stark contrast to her own coldness.

The villa door opened.

A middle-aged woman in servant's attire came out to greet them.

"Young Master, you're back."

Her eyes fell on Vivian.

A flicker of surprise passed through them.

But it was quickly replaced by deference.

"This is..."

"A guest."

Julian said briefly.

He led Vivian into the living room.

The living room was spacious.

Decorated in a simple, modern style.

Vivian's gaze swept the room.

And suddenly froze.

The layout here...

Why did it look so much like her own home?

Especially that floor-to-ceiling window.

And the potted green plant placed beside it.

They were almost identical.

Her heart tightened violently.

But then relaxed again.

So what if it was similar?

It was just a coincidence.

She didn't want to think about anything right now.

She just wanted to find a place.

To be quiet.

"Miss Bennett, please sit."

Julian gestured to the sofa.

Vivian obediently sat down.

A servant soon brought hot tea.

The fragrant steam rose.

But it couldn't dispel the chill in her heart.

Just then.

The elevator doors opened.

A middle-aged man in loungewear walked out.

It was Matthew Klein.

The moment he saw Vivian.

He froze completely.

"Vivian?"

His voice held an incredulous joy.

But when he saw Vivian's pale face.

And her soaked clothes.

That joy instantly turned to heartache.

"Uncle."

Vivian forced a weak smile.

"I'm disturbing you."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Matthew quickly walked over.

Sitting on the sofa opposite her.

"I'm overjoyed that you're here."

His eyes scanned Vivian.

Growing more distressed the longer he looked.

"How did you get so drenched? Julian, how could you let this happen?"

Julian didn't defend himself.

He turned and went upstairs.

A moment later.

He returned with a dark gray suit jacket.

"Miss Bennett."

He offered the jacket to Vivian.

"Your clothes are wet. Change out of them first."

Vivian looked down at herself.

Her white blouse clung to her body.

Vaguely revealing the contours beneath.

She did need to change.

But...

"There are no women's clothes here."

Julian seemed to see her hesitation.

"Please make do with my jacket for now."

Vivian bit her lip.

Finally, she took the jacket.

"Thank you."

Her voice was soft.

Almost inaudible.

Julian turned away.

"I'll get you a towel."

He gave the servant a meaningful glance.

The servant understood.

Immediately went to prepare.

Only Vivian and Matthew remained in the living room.

The air suddenly grew quiet.

Matthew looked at Vivian.

He seemed to want to speak but held back.

Finally.

He couldn't help but ask.

"Vivian, have you... encountered some trouble?"

Vivian's hand holding the teacup.

Trembled slightly.

She lowered her gaze.

Her long lashes casting shadows on her pale face.

"It's nothing."

She said softly.

"I'm just... a little tired."

Matthew sighed.

He knew Vivian was lying.

But he also knew.

Some things.

If she didn't want to talk about.

He shouldn't ask.

"If you're tired, rest well."

He said gently.

"Treat this place as your own home. Don't stand on ceremony."

Vivian nodded.

But her heart was filled with bitterness.

Her own home?

Did she still have a home?

That place once filled with laughter.

Now held only cold walls.

And suffocating memories.

Julian returned with a towel.

He handed it to Vivian.

"Dry your hair."

Vivian took the towel.

Mechanically drying her wet, long hair.

Julian sat down beside her.

"Miss Bennett."

He looked at her.

"If you don't want to talk, I won't ask."

"But if you need help."

"You can come to me anytime."

Vivian looked up.

Meeting Julian's earnest gaze.

Her heart.

Suddenly felt as if something had gently bumped against it.

Warm.

Yet also carrying a sting.

"Thank you."

She said again.

Her voice finally held a trace of warmth.

Outside, the rain continued to fall.

A steady patter.

Tapping against the glass window.

The living room was quiet.

Only the scent of tea drifted slowly through the air.

Vivian wrapped herself in Julian's jacket.

Feeling the residual warmth from his body.

She suddenly thought.

Perhaps.

This world.

Had not completely abandoned her.

At least.

In this moment.

Someone was willing to extend a helping hand to her.

Even if.

It was only temporary warmth.

She wanted.

To hold onto it tightly.