Vivian pressed her hand to her chest as if steadying her heart.
“Victor….” she whispered, voice trembling.
Her hair slipped loose from its tie and fell across her face.
She pushed it back with trembling fingers.
Nothing about the room felt real.
Everything felt like a dream sharpened with knives.
She inhaled slowly, grounding herself.
Her body swayed, then steadied.
“I’m not going to scream,” she murmured.
“I just want the truth…. that’s all.”
Victor stared at her with a sickening calm.
Bianca stared like it was a show.
Vivian’s voice was small but steady.
“No shouting…. no nothing …. just answer me.”
Bianca smiled with lazy cruelty.
“Oh Vivian…. sweetheart…. let’s not act like you were chosen.”
Vivian stiffened.
Her fingers dug into her palm.
“You didn’t ‘fall in love.’”
