CHAPTER FIVE: THE SNAKE'S NEST
662 Words
I spent three days watching.
Shen Yiran lived publicly, loudly, like a woman with nothing to hide. Designer clothes. Charity galas. Photographed entering the Lu mansion like she already owned it.
She visited my children twice that week.
I watched from a parked car. Saw her kneel to Xingxing's level with a practiced smile. Saw Xingxing pull away.
My daughter didn't like her.
Smart girl.
Xiaobei was worse. He stood stiff when Yiran touched his shoulder. The moment she looked away, he wiped where her hand had been.
My son saw through her mask.
These children survived five years without me. They knew something was wrong with the woman trying to replace their mother.
But they didn't know the truth.
On the fourth day, Shen Yiran found me.
I was at a café reviewing contracts with Yebai when she walked in. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second.
Then the mask returned.
"Vivienne, isn't it?" She glided toward us. "The fashion designer everyone's talking about."
I shook her hand. Her grip was firm. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
"I've heard your name," I said coolly. "You're close with the Lu family."
"Very close." She tilted her head. "Actually, I heard a strange rumor. Some say you look exactly like Jingchen's ex-wife."
My blood ran cold but my face stayed calm.
"People see what they want to see."
"True." Her smile sharpened. "His ex-wife was a nobody. An orphan. You're clearly a woman of substance."
Every word was a blade wrapped in silk.
"I should go," I said.
"Wait." She touched my arm. Her nails were red as blood. "We should have lunch. I'd love to hear about Little Star Fashion. Such a sweet name. Almost like something a grieving mother would choose."
My heart stopped.
She definitely knew.
---
"She recognized me," I told Yebai in the car.
"Are you sure?"
"The way she mentioned grieving mother. She was testing me."
"Then we move faster. Before she destroys evidence."
"She won't run. She's too arrogant." I stared out the window. "I want to meet Lu Meifeng."
"The mother? She was there when your babies were taken."
"I need to see her face when I ask why."
---
Arranging the meeting was easy.
Business channels. Little Star Fashion discussing partnership with Lu Corporation's charity foundation. Meifeng agreed to meet at the mansion.
Walking through those gates felt like stepping into a nightmare.
The last time I was here, I was dragged out bleeding. Now I walked in wearing designer clothes and cold armor.
Lu Meifeng waited on a velvet sofa. She looked older. Thinner. Something haunted lived behind her eyes.
"Miss Vivienne. Thank you for coming."
I sat down. Crossed my legs. Kept my face neutral.
She studied me for a long moment. Recognition flickered and died. She wasn't certain.
"Your company has done remarkable work," she said. "Children's clothing designed with such care. Almost like you understand what mothers feel."
"I understand loss."
Something cracked in her expression.
"Loss?"
"Every designer draws from experience. Mine comes from things I can never get back."
She set down her teacup. Her hands trembled.
"You remind me of someone," she said quietly. "Someone I wronged terribly."
My heart pounded.
"Who?"
Her eyes met mine. The mask dropped.
"My daughter-in-law. The one I destroyed." Her voice cracked. "She was pregnant when I threw her out. I didn't know the full truth until recently. What happened to those babies. What Yiran did."
She knew.
And it was destroying her.
"If you could speak to her now," I said softly, "what would you say?"
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I would beg forgiveness. But some sins are too great."
I stood slowly.
"You're right. Some sins are."
I walked toward the door.
"Wait." Her voice was desperate. "Who are you? Really?"
I turned back. Let her see my face fully.
"I'm the woman you killed five years ago."
Her scream followed me out the door.
- Writer
