Chapter 3 Overestimating Herself
The moment Serena saw Edmund and Lillian, a deep frown creased her brows, her eyes brimming with undisguised contempt.
She spoke coldly. “The violin is not for sale.”
Lillian’s gaze flickered slightly before landing on Vivienne, who stood beside Serena. Compared to Lillian’s delicate beauty, which exuded a soft, gentle charm, Vivienne carried a far more refined and elegant presence. With her perfectly sculpted oval face, delicate brows, and deep, expressive eyes, she looked like a timeless muse stepping out of a classical painting.
The moment Lillian saw her, an unreadable glimmer surfaced in her gaze. She quickly stepped forward, her expression tinged with pleading as she looked at Vivienne.
“Ms. Everest, is this violin your friend’s? Could you please ask your friend to lend it to me for a while? Back then, it was because of the violin that I met Edmund. I was practicing in the garden when my music captivated him. That’s how we found each other and fell in love… He loves listening to me play the violin. I don’t know how much longer I have or if I’ll even be able to hold a concert. But no matter what, I want to try one last time.”
As if by coincidence, or perhaps intention, Lillian subtly lowered her head, revealing the familiar necklace around her neck. The overhead lighting reflected off the pendant, sending dazzling sparks of light into Vivienne’s eyes. A sharp pang struck her chest.
Her voice was emotionless. “People die every day. Am I supposed to accommodate and yield to every terminally ill person who appears in front of me?”
Lillian’s eyes instantly turned red, her tears trembling on the verge of spilling.
Edmund’s expression darkened. “Vivienne, it’s just a violin. There’s no need to be so aggressive. If you like, I’ll get you another one.”
Vivienne looked at him. “Exactly. It’s just a violin. If she wants one, why not get her another? Why does it have to be mine?”
Lillian pressed further, her voice filled with entreaty. “Ms. Everest, what will it take for you to lend me the violin? Name your conditions.”
Name my conditions? In the end, wasn’t Edmund still the one who would pay the price?
Vivienne let out a silent laugh. “Ms. Lillian seems to have a fondness for my mother’s belongings. First, my mother’s necklace, and now, my mother’s violin.”
Lillian feigned confusion. “I don’t understand what you mean, Ms. Everest.”
Vivienne watched her feign innocence and sneered inwardly.
“This violin, Midnight Star, was left to me by my mother. That necklace you’re wearing, my mother left that to me too.”
Lillian’s face paled instantly. “I’m so sorry; I really didn’t know it belonged to your mother… Last night, Theo gave me a box with the necklace inside. I thought it was a gift from Edmund, so I put it on. I had no idea it was your mother’s…”
Vivienne let out a soft laugh. “Now that you know, are you going to return it to me?”
Lillian’s fingers brushed against the necklace as she bit her lip and turned to Edmund with teary eyes.
“Edmund, since Ms. Everest has asked… Why don’t we just let her have it? There’s no need to upset her over something so small.”
“Why don’t we let her have it?” Lillian used the word let instead of return.
The implication was that even if the necklace belonged to Vivienne’s mother, it did not belong to her. Lillian just generously let Vivienne have it because she asked for it. Edmund had already been displeased when Vivienne brought up the divorce, thinking she was merely trying to provoke him. Hearing Lillian’s words now, his expression turned even colder.
“No need,” he said in a voice as cool as water. “Since I gave it to you, it’s yours.”
“But…” Lillian started, but Edmund cut her off.
“A gift, once given, is not meant to be taken back.”
A flicker of emotion crossed Lillian’s face, one of subdued joy.
Vivienne instinctively clenched her fists. Then, she smiled faintly.
“Ms. Lillian, you want me to lend you the violin, right? Fine. As long as Mr. Harrington personally asks me, “I’ll consider it.”
Lillian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Edmund’s face darkened ominously.
“Vivienne, that’s enough.”
Vivienne smirked. “Oh? I thought Mr. Harrington would do anything for Ms. Lennox. It seems… I was mistaken.”
For years, Vivienne had believed that Edmund was willing to sacrifice everything for Lillian. But now she saw the truth. The only things he was willing to sacrifice were those that didn’t matter to him. Like me.
Now that she understood this, her heart was devoid of emotion.
She turned to the store manager, who had been watching anxiously from the sidelines.
“If I recall correctly, my contract with this store expires today. Please remove the violin from display. I’m taking it back.”
The manager hesitated, sneaking a glance at Edmund.
Vivienne raised a brow. “What’s wrong? Do I not have the right to take back my violin?”
“No, no, of course not!”
The manager quickly forced a smile. “I’ll arrange the handover right away.”
After completing the necessary paperwork, Vivienne took Midnight Star and left the store without so much as another glance at Edmund or Lillian.
Edmund watched her retreating figure. His brows furrowed deeply. Lillian lowered her head slightly, looking apologetic.
“She must be upset that you forgot her birthday yesterday. It’s all my fault. My health is such a burden on you.”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Edmund replied coolly. “Prepare for your concert. I’ll have Midnight Star delivered to you soon.”
Lillian’s lips curved into a pleased smile. “Alright.”
That evening, for the first time in a long while, Edmund came home on time. However, unlike before, Vivienne was not there waiting with a prepared meal. Theo also came downstairs at dinnertime, but the dining room was empty. “Dad, isn’t Mom making dinner tonight?”
Vivienne had always been a dutiful wife and mother, never arguing or complaining; she fulfilled her role flawlessly. Edmund had never felt much for her, but he had been content with her presence. Theo had a weak stomach and was a picky eater. For years, Vivienne had personally cooked his meals, refusing to let the maids handle it. Now, thinking about what had happened earlier in the day, Edmund pressed his lips into a thin line, his face darkening slightly. If the gesture was her way of trying to pressure him, then she was severely overestimating herself.
“Ignore her,” he said coldly. “I’ll take you out for dinner.”
Theo clapped his hands in excitement. “Yay! Can we invite Lillian too? Then I can have cotton candy again!”
Edmund’s steps faltered slightly.
“Cotton candy?” He frowned. “Didn’t your mother say you’re lactose intolerant and can’t eat it?”
