Three Years as His Kept Woman

Chapter 4 The Ring's True Owner

Lucia returned home and began packing her things little by little. She would have to pack before leaving the country anyway, so it did not matter whether she did it sooner or later. As she worked, she gathered all the gifts Adrian had given her into one place, planning to return them before she left.

She packed until evening.

Then the living room door suddenly swung open.

Adrian had returned with Vivian.

Several movers carried Vivian's belongings straight into Lucia's bedroom without warning. Vivian followed behind them, calmly directing the scene.

"Yes, that's right. Put everything here. If there isn't enough space, just throw her things out first."

Lucia was about to protest when Adrian walked in and handed her a set of keys.

"I bought you an apartment across the Rivermarch River. You'll have to stay there for a while. Once Viv recovers, I'll bring you back."

Lucia had just reached out to take the keys when Vivian called from outside.

"Adrian, come help me with this. I can't lift it."

Without hesitation, Adrian turned and went out to help Vivian carry her suitcase.

Lucia stood there in stunned silence. She had never seen Adrian do physical labor before.

After a while, Vivian walked into the room. When she noticed the pile of gifts Lucia had gathered together, curiosity flashed across her face. She began examining them one by one.

She picked up a photograph of Lucia and Adrian standing beneath the northern lights in foreign countries and let out a soft laugh.

"I kept telling Adrian that I wanted to see the aurora someday. I never expected him to take you instead. I suppose it was his way of making up for the regret he owed me."

Then she picked up Lucia's dried bouquet, the mockery on her face deepening.

"He gave you lilies? Do you even know those are my favorite flowers? Being a substitute must be miserable."

After she wandered around the room for a while, Vivian's gaze finally settled on a ring. It was the one Adrian had personally made for Lucia.

Vivian picked it up and deliberately examined the letters engraved inside the band. A moment later, she burst out laughing.

"Before I left the country, Adrian said he was making a ring for me himself. I never imagined he would simply change the engraving and give it to you instead."

As if worried Lucia might not believe her, Vivian pointed at the letters inside the ring.

"It originally had my initials, AV. Now he's changed it to AL."

Lucia took the ring and stared carefully at the engraving. Sure enough, beneath the faint scratches she could make out the original outline of the letters AV.

It seemed Vivian had been telling the truth.

The ring had been meant for her. Only after Vivian left the country had it ended up with Lucia—the substitute.

Seeing no sign of pain on Lucia's face only irritated Vivian further.

"You… you still haven't given up? How many times do I have to say it? The person Adrian loves is me. So what if he bought you an apartment? As long as I stay by his side, he'll abandon you sooner or later."

Lucia could not stand Vivian's arrogance, so she deliberately provoked her.

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Cross has already paid me for this month. As long as the contract is still valid, I am his woman. I will fulfill my duties."

Vivian's lips trembled with anger, nearly bleeding from how hard she bit them. Finally, she forced a word through her teeth.

"Slut."

A moment later, a dark look crept across her face.

"Let's see whether Adrian forgives you this time."

She stepped back two paces and suddenly put on a frightened expression.

"Ms. Hart, what are you doing? Don't—ah!"

Before Lucia could react, Vivian threw herself backward and tumbled down the staircase.

Lucia gripped the railing and looked down. Vivian had rolled all the way to the first floor. She must have struck something on the way down, blood covered her face and clothes, making the scene look terrifying.

The same trick again? Lucia could not help thinking Vivian was truly ruthless.

Adrian rushed over the moment he heard the commotion. When he saw the scene before him, his expression changed instantly. He lifted Vivian into his arms, panic written all over his face.

"Viv, what happened? Open your eyes. Don't scare me."

Vivian slowly opened her eyes and looked toward Lucia on the second floor.

"Ms. Hart… why would you do this to me…"