Chapter 3

Leaving the cemetery, I walked all the way home.

I hadn't walked at night in a long time.

Before, I held Mom's hand.

Later, Vivienne held my arm.

From now on, I'd walk alone.

I think I'll get used to it.

It was past midnight when I finally got home.

The living room light was on. Vivienne was leaning on the sofa, texting.

Seeing me enter, her furrowed brow relaxed. She immediately rushed over to grab my hand:

"Where did you go? You didn't answer calls or reply to messages. I was about to call the police, you know?!"

I froze, then pulled my hand from Vivienne's grasp.

"I was with Mom. I didn't want her disturbed."

Hearing me mention Mom, Vivienne remembered what she'd said earlier that day. Her face showed some guilt.

She suddenly looked at me expectantly and solemnly pulled out a box.

I instinctively took it and opened it. Inside was a pair of wedding rings.

I suddenly froze.

Once, Vivienne had earnestly held my hand and promised we'd wear wedding rings together, hold our marriage certificate, and let Mom witness our happiness.

I waited countless days, hoped countless times.

But that was before.

I closed the box and handed it back.

Vivienne frowned slightly, as if thinking of something. She said somewhat awkwardly:

"It's already past midnight. One more day and I can divorce Sebastian."

"Don't worry, I've always remembered my promise."

"Tomorrow, we'll put the rings on each other, then go get our license."

Her sweet words didn't move me. I just said:

"Okay, got it. I'm tired. I'm going to rest."

The smile on Vivienne's face froze. For the first time, she noticed my dismissiveness.

Panic flashed in her eyes as she tried to grab my hand.

Just then, Sebastian walked out of the bedroom wearing my pajamas.

He looked at me with sleepy eyes, then immediately stepped forward, draping his arm over Vivienne's shoulder and whining:

"Vivienne, Logan's back now. Let's wash up and go to bed."

Vivienne quickly looked at me to explain:

"Sebastian had a fight with his family. I let him stay in the guest room for the night."

After speaking, Vivienne stared at me intently, as if afraid I'd misunderstand.

I nodded indifferently:

"It's fine. I can stay at Mom's place for the night."

Vivienne stood frozen, seemingly not expecting me to agree so readily.

But Sebastian didn't give me a chance to change my mind. He smugly turned and rushed back to the room.

When I pulled my suitcase toward the door, Vivienne still stood in the living room.

She pressed her lips together, gripping my hand tightly and refusing to let go.

The guilt in her eyes grew deeper and deeper.

Finally, prompted by Sebastian's urging, she spoke:

"Tomorrow, after we get our license, let's go see your mom together."