Chapter 5

Vivian's POV

Jonathan choked on my words, his expression turning exceedingly ugly.

Humiliated in front of Chloe, he pointed a finger at me in a fit of shame and rage:

"Vivian Sterling! When did you become so arrogant and unreasonable?!"

I didn't spare him another glance. Picking up my glass, I pushed past them both, walked out of the kitchen, and went straight upstairs to the master bedroom.

After the fight, I accelerated my preparations to leave.

I sorted through some documents in the study, and after spending a long time finishing up, I stepped out.

That was when I noticed noises coming from my bedroom.

Pushing the door open, the scene before me made the blood rush straight to my head!

On the carpet, Toby was holding a pair of scissors, cutting an unfolded handmade cashmere blanket to ribbons.

That was the very last gift my mother had given me before she passed away!

What was once a soft, pristine cashmere throw was now reduced to a floor full of ragged scraps.

On top of that, Toby had scribbled all over it with black oil pastels, covering it in messy scribbles.

"Stop it right now!"

My eyes burned scarlet in an instant. I lunged forward, snatched the scissors from Toby's hand, and shoved him away.

Toby tumbled onto the rug and wailed at the top of his lungs, "Mommy! The bad lady hit me!"

Chloe rushed in immediately, dropping to the floor to embrace Toby while wiping away tears with a look of utter grievance:

"Vivian! Toby is just a five-year-old boy! What's wrong with him cutting up a piece of cloth to play with? You were actually going to stab him with scissors!"

The front door opened right at that moment, and Jonathan walked in with brisk strides.

The moment Toby spotted Jonathan entering, he threw his arms wide and cried out:

"Daddy! She stole my toy!"

The word "Daddy" made Chloe's face drain of color instantly. She scrambled to clap a hand over Toby's mouth and hissed in a flustered whisper:

"Toby! You're scared out of your wits, what are you babbling about! That's your uncle!"

A flash of awkward panic flitted through Jonathan's eyes as well.

He hurried over, scooped Toby into his arms, avoided my gaze, and forced a laugh to explain:

"This boy grew up without a father. He blurts that out to whoever treats him well. Vivian, don't take it to heart."

I watched him lie with cold detachment, finding him nothing short of a clown.

I didn't expose him. Instead, clutching the shredded strips of cashmere blanket in my trembling hands, I pointed at the wreckage and demanded:

"Jonathan Hayes! This was the last gift my mother gave me before she died! And he completely destroyed it!"

To mask his guilt from a moment ago, Jonathan's face hardened:

"It's just a blanket. When I have time, I'll take you to the mall and buy ten of them to make it up to you. Toby is only five years old, what does he know? Is it really worth picking a fight with an ignorant child?"

His attitude provoked a bitter, mocking laugh out of me:

"Buy ten? The person who gave it to me is dead! Where on earth are you going to buy the exact same thing for me?! Jonathan Hayes, if someone cut up something your mother gave you today, would throwing money at it solve the problem for you?!"

The retort struck right at Jonathan's sore spot, and his expression instantly darkened.

Seeing this, Chloe held Toby tightly and trembled with tears:

"Jonathan, it's all my fault and Toby's. Since Vivian thinks we're intruding, we'll pack our things and move out right now. Please don't let us ruin your marriage."

Toby buried his face in Jonathan's chest and sobbed along, "The bad lady is so mean!"

Hearing those words, Jonathan snapped completely.

He gave my shoulder a violent, heavy shove!

Caught off guard, my lower back slammed hard against the sharp corner of the vanity table, making me gasp from the sharp pain.

Shielding Chloe and Toby behind him, Jonathan looked down at me with deep disappointment and accused:

"Vivian Sterling! What on earth do you want?"

"Back then, you ruined your body and couldn't conceive. I was considerate of you, I cherished you, and I never once looked down on you! But look at what you've become. Just because you don't have a child of your own, you're taking it out on a little kid?"

"When did you turn so cruel?!"

Those words were like daggers thrust straight into my chest.

My head buzzed loudly, leaving me unable to form a single word.

A metallic, copper taste rose in my mouth, and I had to force it down.

Seeing my state, Jonathan seemed to realize that his heated words had crossed the line, and a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.

His lips parted, and he tentatively reached out to take my hand: "Vivian, I just lost my temper..."

I took a step back, dodging his touch.

Leaning against the vanity table, I slowly pushed myself upright, wiping all emotion from my face.

Perhaps when the heart dies completely, you no longer harbor any expectations of someone.

I looked at Jonathan quietly for a long moment, then walked away without an expression.

Deep within my eyes, not a trace of our past warmth remained.