Chapter 5
602 Words
Eleanor noticed it first and gasped, "Vivi, your face..."
Vivienne was struggling to breathe. She stood up to leave, but her legs suddenly gave out, and she collapsed.
Julian reacted instantly, catching her swiftly in his arms. "Call a doctor!"
Vivienne passed out.
When she finally opened her eyes, Julian was sitting by the edge of her bed.
He studied her for a few seconds before suddenly speaking. "You knew you had an allergy, so why would you eat it out of spite?"
He was blaming her.
Vivienne froze. She forced a stiff smile, her eyes stinging. "You told me to eat it. I did, and now you're blaming me?"
She closed her eyes. "I'm tired. Just go."
The rest of the words died in Julian's throat, and he furrowed his brow.
The moment he walked out the door, the rims of Vivienne's eyes flushed red, but she quickly forced the tears back down.
Her phone buzzed, reminding her of her scheduled passport renewal appointment.
After resting for a bit, she put on a face mask and headed down to the passport agency.
She grabbed a form and signed her name on the international departure application.
Looking down at the passport in her hands, she let out a quiet laugh.
An eight-year relationship. It was time for it all to end.
Later, after returning to her apartment, Madison asked her to go to the beach.
After soaking up some sun, she walked over to a nearby concession stand to buy a drink. Turning around, she bumped right into someone.
"I'm so sorry," she immediately apologized, looking up. "Are you..."
The words caught in her throat when she realized she was staring at Julian.
Julian didn't say a word. His gaze was locked tightly on her bikini-clad body.
He leaned in and draped her cover-up over her shoulders.
"Bikinis don't suit you," he said, his eyes darkening as his Adam's apple bobbed. "Go back and change."
"No, thanks, I like it." Vivienne ignored his command, her tone polite but completely distant.
Julian's jaw clenched. He reached out and grabbed a bottle of the coconut water she usually drank from the cooler.
"Go straight home when you're done here. Don't talk to strangers."
Vivienne looked away.
Julian was always like this. Every time she finally made up her mind to let go, he would swoop in from his high horse and toss her a few crumbs of concern.
But she didn't need them anymore.
Just then, Eleanor walked over and linked her arm through Julian's.
"Julian, you're so sweet. I can't believe you remembered that I love this brand of coconut water."
Vivienne froze, then let out a self-deprecating laugh in her head.
She had gotten into the habit of drinking this specific coconut water because it was always stocked in Julian's fridge.
It turned out it was actually what Eleanor liked.
All those years, every ounce of kindness she thought he was showing her was actually just her basking in someone else's light.
"I booked an ocean-view suite for tonight, so make sure you eat plenty of oysters..."
Eleanor's tone was heavy with implication.
Vivienne instinctively stiffened. Remembering that oysters were a well-known aphrodisiac, her grip on her drink tightened.
She didn't want to stay a second longer and turned to leave, but it was too late.
Eleanor looked up, acting as if she had just noticed her standing there. "Vivi! What a coincidence. Are you hanging out at the beach too?"
Vivienne lowered her head and started walking away. "I need to get back to my friend. You two take your time."
- Writer
