Chapter 684

"It's not good to always eat out," Liam Sullivan said, looking at her profile, his voice low and hoarse.

He knew she simply didn't want to share a table with him, much less touch the food he prepared.

His heart felt like it was being sawed by a blunt knife, yet he forced himself to remain calm.

"Come back for lunch. I'll have the housekeeper prepare it. I'll... be out at noon."

If someone had to leave, it would be him.

Vivian Bennett's lips parted slightly, the refusal already on the tip of her tongue.

"Vivian," he suddenly interrupted her, a faint mist rising in his eyes. "I'm begging you, okay? Your health isn't fully recovered yet. Eating out all the time isn't good for your recovery."

The weariness and plea in his voice were like fine needles piercing her heart.

Her fingers curled slightly.

In the end, she didn't turn around.

"It's unnecessary. Any place where you are, I don't want to stay."

Liam staggered, the color draining from his face instantly.

He understood.

She stayed here only because he forced her to.

What she truly wanted was to completely escape any space that held his presence.

Vivian picked up her handbag and pushed the door open, leaving without a backward glance.

Liam slowly sank into the sofa, raising a hand to press against his throbbing temple.

The dizziness grew stronger wave after wave, as if all his strength had been drained.

The car accident earlier, though not a major disaster, had worsened his already exhausted body.

His lips were dry, cracked, and pale. His head pounded as if splitting.

Yet these physical pains became a kind of relief—at least they could temporarily cover the hollow emptiness carved out by her words in his heart.

He stumbled up the stairs, bumped into the bedroom, and collapsed into the disheveled bedding.

Before closing his eyes, the last image that flashed through his mind was her resolute retreating figure.

Vivian met Matthew Klein at a street corner.

He was the only blood relative she could rely on now.

Matthew opened his arms and gently drew her into an embrace.

The hug was broad and warm, carrying a father's unique tenderness.

Vivian's nose stung, and tears silently rolled down her cheeks.

She took him to the small apartment she had secretly rented.

Matthew studied his daughter's haggard, dull face and sighed.

"The last time I saw you, you were still a child with light in your eyes. Now..."

He shook his head.

"Love is something that can lift you to the clouds or drag you into hell."

Vivian forced a bitter smile at the corner of her mouth.

"I'm just too useless. A little setback and I crumble, living like a walking corpse... I don't even know what to pursue anymore. My heart is completely empty."

She had lost her marriage, her child, and even the revenge she had painstakingly planned had ended in utter failure.

It felt like she couldn't hold onto anything, couldn't change anything.

This profound sense of powerlessness had completely crushed her remaining fighting spirit.

That self-righteous pride from before now seemed so laughable.

In the face of real power and wealth, her resistance was as insignificant as an ant.

It wasn't disappointment in life itself, but reality had worn down all her edges.

Everything here suffocated her.

The people, the events, the memories and shadows, all woven into an inescapable net.

She had to leave.

Leave this land completely, leave everyone entangled with her past.

Matthew patted her shoulder, his gaze gentle yet firm.

"Child, don't despair. When God closes a door, He always leaves a window open. Someone who isn't even afraid of death, why fear living?"

He paused, his voice softening further.

"After the storm, there will be a rainbow. You haven't seen the rainbow yet. How can you fall on the way?"

Vivian was taken aback for a moment, then slowly nodded.

At the very least... she had to live for those who still loved her.

Endure this darkest of times.

Then forget.

Then be reborn.

Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened.

A thin sliver of light leaked through a gap in the clouds.