Chapter 688

"Liam Sullivan."

Vivian Bennett's voice came from the staircase, light as a feather brushing against the ear.

Liam's footsteps paused. He turned to look at her.

Sunglasses hid his eyes, but Vivian could feel the scrutiny in his gaze.

She stood at the border of light and shadow, a faint smile on her lips, yet it inexplicably tightened his heart.

"The distance between us before was just like this." Vivian raised her hand, her fingertip pointing vaguely at him before slowly lowering it.

She descended the stairs step by step. The wooden steps made soft sounds.

She stopped when she reached his side.

"Later, I thought we had grown closer." Vivian lifted her face. The light from the crystal chandelier fell into her eyes, shattering into tiny stars.

Even through the sunglasses, she could feel the heat of his gaze, scorching enough to burn.

Liam's brow furrowed slightly.

Behind the sunglasses, his eyes narrowed, as if pondering the deeper meaning of her words.

"But now..." Vivian lowered her eyelids and continued walking down.

On the final step, she turned around. Her gaze traveled through the air and settled on him. "It's grown distant again."

Her voice was soft, yet like a stone dropped into a deep pool, it sent ripples spreading through his heart.

The light outlined her silhouette. She seemed enveloped in a faint halo, like fragile glass.

Later, every time he walked down this staircase, he would remember this scene.

His wife standing in the light and shadow, softly speaking about distance.

The air grew quiet.

Neither of them moved. An indescribable emotion flowed in the silence.

"Forget it." Vivian turned her back to him, her voice tinged with self-mockery. "What's the point of saying all this? Our marriage... was always a joke."

She took a deep breath, forcing down the turbulent emotions in her eyes.

Liam watched her disappear around the corner of the hallway. He stood still for a few seconds before pressing his lips together and following.

The black business vehicle cut through the night.

Streetlights flashed past the windows, flickering on and off.

Vivian and Liam sat side by side in the back seat.

Her spine was ramrod straight, her gaze fixed ahead, her fingers unconsciously clutching her skirt.

The interior was too quiet. Quiet enough to hear each other's breathing.

Vivian subtly shifted closer to the door, trying to create a little distance.

In her peripheral vision, Liam's hand rested casually on his knee.

The lines on his palm were faintly visible in the dim light. The line of wisdom and the line of life almost traversed his entire palm.

Her gaze fell on his right hand and suddenly paused.

A barely perceptible tremor flickered in her eyes.

Liam sensed her stare and slowly opened his palm.