Chapter 580

The shopkeeper approached with a beaming smile.

"Miss Bennett, there are several accessory options for this gown. Last time you didn't have a chance to choose. Now you can see which style you prefer, and we'll adjust the pairing for you."

Vivian Bennett snapped out of her daze.

She walked over absently.

The hem of her dress accidentally caught on the corner of a chair.

Rip—

A small tear appeared in the delicate chiffon hem.

The shopkeeper and Sophia Miller both froze.

Vivian stared blankly at the snagged hem.

A vague sense of unease washed over her.

Sophia exclaimed urgently, "Oh my god, Vivian, you're so careless! You should have lifted the hem when walking. Such a beautiful gown torn—it's not perfect anymore. And this is really bad luck too."

The shopkeeper hurried over.

She bent down and carefully freed the caught fabric.

A two-centimeter tear.

Not large.

Hardly noticeable unless you looked closely.

But Vivian's heart sank.

Just as Sophia said, the once-perfect gown now had a flaw.

She wasn't superstitious.

But having this happen at such a time made her deeply uncomfortable.

"The tear is small. It can be mended. I guarantee there will be no visible trace of damage," the shopkeeper reassured softly.

Vivian could only nod with a bitter smile.

Mended was still mended.

No trace didn't mean it was never damaged.

...

After the fitting, there was nothing else to do.

Feeling tired, Vivian went home.

She found her cousin Grace Harper there.

Grace had come to deliver an engagement gift.

But her complexion was pale, her smile forced.

Vivian didn't need to guess.

Life hadn't been good for Grace since returning to the Harper family.

The Harpers thought Grace's return would solve everything, that they could benefit from the Sullivan Group's influence.

They didn't expect Vivian to ask Liam Sullivan not to go easy on the Harpers.

The Harpers must have realized by now.

Grace couldn't help them at all.

Would they still treat Grace like a goddess?

Grace was probably already experiencing that family's treachery.

"Vivian, congratulations. This is a gift from Jason and me," Grace said with a strained smile.

Vivian accepted the gift.

She sighed. "Cousin, don't go back tonight. Stay here with me."

She had her own troubles now.

She couldn't handle Grace's emotional state either.

"But Mr. Sullivan..." Grace asked hesitantly.

Vivian said helplessly, "He's still on a business trip in Europe. Probably won't be back until tomorrow."

Grace looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean 'probably'? Don't you even know your own husband's schedule? You're getting engaged tomorrow, and he's only rushing back tomorrow? That's so disrespectful to you."

"He has very important matters to attend to. There's no other way," Vivian didn't want to elaborate.

She walked upstairs alone.

Entering the room.

Grace's words made her feel hurt and wronged.

Because she also thought Liam should be with her tonight.

But he was far away.

Vivian lay face down on the bed.

She clutched the soft duvet.

Liam had been gone for several days now.

The only thing he left behind was his scent on these sheets.

She had never missed him this much before.

Missed him so much she felt like crying.

Without him holding her to sleep, she lay awake all night.

It felt so lonely and empty.

"Come back, Liam. I won't be willful anymore. After we're married, I'll tell you everything. I won't hide anything from you again," she hugged the duvet that carried his scent, her heart in turmoil.

Vivian buried her face in the duvet.

She remembered so many things between them.

Some sad, some happy.

All of them moved her deeply.

Only now did she realize he had taken root in her heart.

Deeply ingrained.

She couldn't help but grab her phone.

Pressed his speed dial.

It rang several times.

The call connected.

Liam's sleep-heavy voice came through.

It was still nighttime there.

He must have been sleeping.