Chapter 644

A cold draft seeped through the window crack.

Vivian shivered.

She walked back to the bed and slowly removed her clothes.

Below her right breast, over her ribs, a large bruise was clearly visible.

Its color was deep.

Purple tinged with black.

She opened the medicine cabinet and poured out some medicated oil.

The oil had a pungent smell.

She rubbed it vigorously onto the bruise.

Once, twice.

Each stroke brought a sharp, stabbing pain.

Old folks said bruises needed to be rubbed hard.

The more it hurt, the faster it would heal.

She gritted her teeth and continued.

But the pain grew more intense.

Like needles piercing her skin.

She finally stopped.

Too afraid to rub any more.

She hastily changed into her pajamas.

Lay down.

Closed her eyes.

But sleep wouldn't come.

She woke the next morning.

Her chest still ached.

But she had no time to dwell on it.

She went downstairs for breakfast.

The dining room was empty.

Liam had not returned all night.

She looked at the empty chair opposite her.

A faint, bitter smile touched her lips.

Maybe it was better this way.

It only strengthened her resolve.

She didn't leave the house.

Instead, she took a walk in the garden.

The sunlight was warm.

The flowers were in bloom.

But she had no heart to appreciate them.

She returned upstairs.

Took a nap.

She believed Liam was watching her.

If she left, she would surely be followed.

So she stayed in.

Made no contact with anyone.

She remained inside the villa.

That afternoon.

Still in her pajamas.

Eyes heavy with sleep, she picked up a book.

Returned to her room.

Closed the door.

Opened her laptop.

Logged into Skype.

Found Julian Klein's contact.

Clicked to call.

A direct phone call wasn't safe.

She feared being monitored.

An internet call was more discreet.

Soon, the call connected.

"Brother."

Her voice was soft.

"Vivian?" Julian's voice came through. "What's wrong?"

"I need you to do something for me."

She got straight to the point.

No beating around the bush.

Julian was silent for a second.

Then his voice softened. "Okay."

"Aren't you going to ask what it is?"

"No need." Julian said. "If you're asking, if I can do it, I will."

His tone was firm.

Vivian's heart softened.

She knew Julian felt he owed her.

He and his father both felt they owed her.

So her asking for a favor was something he welcomed.

"Brother, that's not very cautious of you," she said helplessly.

"With you, I don't need to be cautious." Julian said seriously. "Vivian, I truly want to help you. Anytime. With anything."

Vivian closed her eyes.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

Warmth.

And sorrow.

Regardless, she still had her brother.

She still had the Klein family.

This was a connection Liam didn't know about.

Her final card to play.

It could help her do many things.

Including dealing with Liam.

"Brother." She opened her eyes again, her voice calm. "I need you to do something for me."

"Tell me."

"Isabella Sullivan was raped. That's how she got pregnant with Leo." Vivian said each word clearly. "I want you to make this public. Do everything possible to blow it up. I want her to have no chance of recovery."

Silence on the other end.

For a long moment.

Then Julian's voice came, filled with disbelief. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Vivian, do you know what this means?"

"I know." Vivian's voice was steady. "It means Isabella Sullivan will be ruined. It means she'll never be able to hold her place in the Sullivan family again. It means all her past pretenses will be torn apart."

"But..." Julian hesitated. "Once this is out, Leo will be affected too. That child..."

"I know." Vivian cut him off. "But it's the only way. Brother, Isabella has to pay. For what she did to me. For what she did to Leo. This has to end."

Julian was silent again for a while.

"Alright." He finally said. "I'll help you."

"Thank you, brother."

"Don't thank me." Julian's voice was low. "Vivian, be careful. Liam..."

"I know." Vivian said. "I'll be careful."

She ended the call.

Sat before the computer.

Watched the screen go dark.

The ache in her chest persisted.

But she ignored it.

She walked to the window.

Looked out at the garden.

The sunlight was still bright.

But her heart felt cold.

Liam Sullivan.

Isabella Sullivan.

Everyone who had hurt her.

She wouldn't let a single one go.

Even if it cost her.

Even if it meant mutual destruction.

She would make them understand.

Vivian Bennett was not some soft, easy target to be pushed around.

Night fell.

The villa remained quiet.

Liam still hadn't returned.

Vivian sat in the dark room.

She didn't turn on the lights.

Only the faint moonlight from outside provided a sliver of illumination.

She touched the bruise on her chest.

The pain reminded her.

Reminded her of the wounds she had suffered.

Reminded her not to soften.

Not to look back.

That night, she slept very little.

Only drifting into a fitful sleep as dawn approached.

In her dreams, she saw Isabella crying.

She saw Leo crying.

She saw Liam's cold, indifferent face.

She woke with a start.

Covered in cold sweat.

Outside the window, the sky was already light.

A new day.

A new beginning.

She got up.

Washed up.

Changed clothes.

Went downstairs for breakfast.

Everything seemed normal.

But in her heart, she was prepared.

A storm was coming.

And she was at its center.

She was also the one creating it.

She was no longer afraid.

No longer hesitant.

What was coming would come.

What was owed would be paid.

She picked up her coffee.

Took a small sip.

The bitter taste spread on her tongue.

Just like her current mood.

Bitter.

But resolute.