Chapter 3
1229 Words
The way Brandon said it made it sound like they were lovers. A flush crept up her cheeks. Tension sent heat radiating through her body, and a thin layer of sweat dampened her shirt.
"You want to return to the industry." He didn't look at her. His eyes stayed on the faint mark left by her wedding ring.
"I just want to know—does your husband know you're here?"
Brandon had always wanted to help her. No matter what she asked for, he would have agreed. But what he truly wanted was to be the one to take that ring off her finger himself. Now that she had already taken it off herself, he would give her whatever she wanted.
Yet Vivian was stunned by his words.
The mention of her husband still stung. Even though Brandon hadn't meant to mock her, those two words felt like a painful reminder.
After a moment of silence, she looked up and gave him a faint smile.
"My marriage is complicated. I want to get my career back."
The woman who had once been so proud had become far more fragile, as if she couldn't take another blow. But what surprised Brandon was that after everything she had endured, her determination to rebuild herself hadn't disappeared.
Instead, it had become even stronger.
Brandon continued.
"With your track record, you should have plenty of opportunities. Why did you choose to come to me?"
Why had she come before him looking so broken, as if she had suffered some terrible injustice?
Wasn't that man supposed to love her deeply?
Back when she left the industry, her eyes had been full of joy. Now, she could only describe her marriage as complicated.
Vivian didn't try to hide the reason.
"The movie we worked on together still has a lot of influence today. I thought if we could collaborate again, maybe it could help my career recover."
Brandon gave a quiet laugh.
"So, Ms. Moore, you want to use me as a stepping stone back to the top?"
His words were painfully blunt—they hit her like a slap to the face.
Vivian looked uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry. I know this might sound..."
Before she could finish, Brandon rose from his seat and leaned toward her.
The faint scent of sandalwood enveloped her. He filled every one of her senses, leaving only his presence.
"Vivian, I don't want your apology."
He lifted his hand and rested it over hers, his fingers tracing the faint mark left by her wedding ring.
"I can give you back the career you want—and a ring too."
Vivian immediately understood what he meant. His gaze felt almost scorching, making her face grow hotter. Just as she didn't know how to respond, a waiter knocked gently on the door and entered with the dishes.
Vivian's face felt like it was burning. When she looked back at Brandon, he had already returned to his seat.
Under the dim lights, he looked distant and untouchable. His unbuttoned collar revealed his collarbone and the sharp line of his throat.
Yet to Vivian, he looked like a figure cloaked in darkness, carrying a dangerous mystery she couldn't see through.
Had she really made the right decision by coming to Blueharbor City?
Only now did she realize she barely knew Brandon at all.
The spot where he had touched her still tingled, as if reminding her how completely her previous marriage had failed. It also seemed to remind her that she really needed a ring to hide the mark left behind.
She didn't know what to say. Fortunately, Brandon stayed silent as well. The room was filled only with the quiet sounds of eating.
The dinner ended in relative silence. Vivian still hadn't received a clear answer from him, and she couldn't bring herself to ask again.
By the time they left the restaurant, night had already fallen.
Brandon asked, "Have you ever visited Blueharbor City before?"
Vivian shook her head.
"No."
Brandon looked toward the city lights.
"The nighttime view here is beautiful."
Vivian gazed at the brilliant lights in the distance. How long had it been since she last stopped to admire something beautiful?
Her days had been spent on medication, trying to heal her body, and waiting for the arrival of their baby.
She had remained inside the home that had felt like a cage, watching countless sunrises and sunsets as she waited for someone to return.
Vivian lifted her hand and pointed toward the towering skyscraper.
"The view from there must be amazing, right?"
Brandon raised his eyebrows.
"You want to go?"
"I want to see the view from the top."
She wanted to see the world she had once given up—the things that had always belonged to her. She wanted to reclaim them all.
Taking the opportunity, Vivian finally brought up the topic again.
"Brandon, about my proposal..."
Brandon's tone remained calm.
"I'll think about it."
He opened the car door for her.
"It's late. I'll take you back to the hotel."
The black car drove through the city streets, cutting between patches of light and shadow, before finally stopping in front of a seven-star hotel. Brandon's assistant, Sam, was already waiting by the entrance.
Only then did Vivian realize this wasn't the hotel Brandon had stayed at before. He had arranged new accommodations for her.
As Sam escorted her upstairs, Vivian asked if Brandon was still taking on roles these days. Sam's answer was somewhat unclear. He only said that Brandon didn't take on many projects anymore. Vivian didn't ask anything else and returned to her room.
Before going to bed, she received a photo of October from Julian.
October was the stray cat they had rescued together. When they first found her, she had been attacked by a stray dog.
Vivian had rushed to save the cat, while Julian had stepped in to protect her and ended up with a dog bite near his thumb.
But now, looking at the photo, Vivian only felt a heavy ache in her chest.
Every kindness, every sacrifice, and every moment of tenderness had been carefully calculated. He wanted her to rely on him, to believe she couldn't live without him, so she would remain trapped by his side like a caged bird.
Vivian turned off her phone without replying. She forced herself not to look at it and eventually drifted off.
She slept peacefully through the night. Ever since she found out about Julian's betrayal, her heart and body had felt like they were trapped in an endless winter. But now, she could finally feel a small trace of warmth returning.
When she woke up, the hotel television was broadcasting the morning news.
"The Hall family's third heir has secured another billion dollar contract, bringing further growth to the Hall Group!"
On the surface, everything appeared unchanged, as if the betrayal had never happened. But Vivian knew a thorn had already pierced the weakest part of her heart, leaving behind a wound that would never fully heal.
The sound of running water from the bathroom covered the noise from the television. Vivian washed her face and completed a simple skincare routine.
She no longer looked as hollow and defeated as before. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she smiled softly.
"Keep going. It's time to start over."
- Writer
