As soon as he spoke, a dead silence descended upon the master bedroom.
After a mont, Jett Sterling finally broke the silence. "Vivian Quinn, say sothing. Don’t think the silent treatnt will make agree to a divorce. Unless I die, you’ll never shed the title of Mrs. Sterling!"
Vivian Quinn slowly opened her eyes as tears slipped from their corners.
She bit down hard on her fingers, forcing herself to stay silent.
’I don’t want to get into an argunt with Jett Sterling. I can’t go soft, or I’ll only get more entangled with him, making it even harder to break away...’
Late that night, Jett Sterling threw back the covers, got out of bed, and walked over to the sofa. He carefully lifted the sleeping girl into his arms and carried her back to the bed.
CLICK. The light went out.
In the darkness, the man’s low, hoarse voice murmured, "Vivian, you’re mine... all mine."
He gazed deeply at her face, as if he could never look at her enough.
The girl slept restlessly, as if trapped in a nightmare from which she couldn’t escape. She shook her head in distress. "Go away... Don’t co any closer... Go away!"
"Vivian?" Jett Sterling grasped her hand. "What’s wrong?"
"Don’t touch !" Vivian Quinn shoved him away reflexively. "Stay back! Don’t touch !"
"Vivian, it’s !" Jett Sterling held her tightly, keeping her still. "You’re having a nightmare. Don’t be afraid, I’m here."
She trembled in his arms. After a long while, she gradually grew calm.
...
Vivian Quinn had a dream.
In her dream, the sa blurry figure held her down. A boundless fear washed over her, drowning her completely.
The figure was like a giant python, coiling around her so tightly she couldn’t breathe.
Vivian Quinn’s eyes flew open, and she felt as if she had died in her dream and been brought back to life.
The sound of steady breathing reached her ears. Sure enough, Jett Sterling had his arms and legs wrapped around her, as if afraid she would run away.
Vivian Quinn was stunned.
’Didn’t I fall asleep on the sofa last night? How did I end up back in bed?’
’I must have gotten up to use the restroom during the night and gotten back into bed out of habit.’
’There’s no way Jett Sterling carried to bed.’
Vivian Quinn carefully moved Jett Sterling’s hand aside. Just as she was about to get out of bed, the sleeping man’s eyes snapped open.
Their eyes t, and they both froze for a mont.
Jett Sterling quickly smirked, though the expression didn’t reach his eyes. "Didn’t you want to sleep separately? What are you doing climbing back into my bed?"
Vivian Quinn: "..."
"I don’t know why I’m in bed either."
"And you expect to believe that crap?"
"..."
Speechless, Vivian Quinn pushed his hand away. She tried to get up, but he grabbed her by the wrist.
"Vivian Quinn, help get dressed."
Vivian Quinn: "..."
"Jett Sterling, it’s your legs that don’t work, not your hands. Why do you need to help you get dressed?"
"You’re my wife. Is it so wrong for you to take care of ?"
"Stop being ridiculous. I have to go to class."
"I don’t feel well. You’re staying ho to take care of . You’re forbidden from going to the university."
Vivian Quinn closed her eyes. "I’m giving you two options. First, we get a divorce. Second, I move out."
"Why should I have to choose?" Jett Sterling sneered. "Vivian Quinn, do you think I’m going to keep spoiling you like I used to? If it has anything to do with divorce or separation, you can forget about it!"
"You want to go to your classes, right? Believe when I say I can have Aethelgard University shut down!"
"Jett Sterling!" Vivian Quinn cried out, hurt and angry. "Do you have to be like this?"
"Yes, I do. And what are you going to do about it?"
Vivian Quinn pushed his hand away, got out of bed, and went into the bathroom.
’It wasn’t that she was desperate to go to her classes, but the lectures this week were crucial—they were related to Jett Sterling’s condition.’
After thinking for a mont, Vivian Quinn contacted the male classmate she had treated to a al before. She attended the lecture via video call, listening and taking notes as it went on.
"Vivian, why aren’t you here today?" her classmate whispered. "The campus beauty, Rachel Quinn, just ca by looking for you."
Vivian Quinn sneered inwardly. ’Of course Rachel Quinn ca to see looking miserable. The more I suffer, the happier she is.’
"I see. Thank you."
"Okay, just focus on the lecture. My phone’s fully charged, so it should last you all day."
"Thanks."
...
Soon enough, Vivian Quinn received a call from Rachel Quinn.
"Vivian, why haven’t I heard your good news yet?"
Vivian Quinn chuckled. "Divorcing a man from a wealthy family isn’t as simple as you imagine. We didn’t sign a prenup, so naturally, I need to get the money I’m entitled to. It’s not going to be quick."
"You want money?" Rachel Quinn laughed out loud. "I never would’ve guessed, Vivian Quinn. You’re quite the little scher. You want to take money from the Sterling Family to use against , is that it? Dream on. The day after tomorrow is the deadline. Don’t test my patience."
"I know." Vivian Quinn hung up and went back to work on her computer.
The next day was Saturday. Unwilling to face Jett Sterling at ho, Vivian Quinn went to the hospital to spend ti with Joy Chase.
Vivian Quinn didn’t return to Sycamore Bay until after dark, and she imdiately noticed sothing was off.
The driveway was filled with luxury cars, and music was drifting out from inside the house.
When Vivian Quinn pushed the door open and stepped inside, all eyes imdiately turned to her.
"Wendy, who is this? Why is she dressed like that?" a lavishly dressed woman asked.
Losing face, Wendy Reeves walked over to Vivian Quinn and hissed, "Why are you only just getting back? And dressed like that! Are you trying to embarrass on purpose?"
Only then did Vivian Quinn realize that everyone was formally dressed, while she was just in a white T-shirt and jeans.
"What’s the occasion?"
"Didn’t I tell you it was Ian Sterling’s birthday?"
Vivian Quinn frowned. "Why is Ian Sterling’s birthday party being held here?"
Wendy Reeves scoffed. "You really think you’re the lady of the house, don’t you? Do we need your permission to throw a birthday party here? Hurry upstairs, change your clothes, and put on so proper makeup. Stop making a spectacle of yourself and embarrassing !"
"I’m not in the mood for a party. I’m leaving."
Vivian Quinn turned to leave, but Ian Sterling ran over to intercept her. "Vivian Quinn, are you going to disrespect like this? It’s my birthday! Where do you think you’re going?"
Before Vivian Quinn could speak, a familiar voice cut in. "That’s right, Vivian. We’re all here celebrating for Sterling. You should join us."
The color drained from Vivian Quinn’s face. She turned and saw Rachel Quinn walking toward them, arm in arm with Austin Grant.
Seeing Vivian trembling uncontrollably, Rachel Quinn felt a deep sense of satisfaction. "Vivian, what’s wrong? Are you that reluctant to celebrate Sterling’s birthday?"
Vivian Quinn struggled to compose herself. "I’m not feeling well, so if you’ll excuse ."
"Wendy, who is this? Go on, introduce us," a few of the socialites, eager to curry favor with Wendy Reeves, chid in as they gathered around.
Just as Wendy Reeves was about to speak, a low, cold voice cut in. "I’ll make the introduction."
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