Chapter After Divorce Ch 5

Vivienne turned her head and saw Theo standing behind Edmund. Though he was speaking to her, his worried gaze was fixed on Lillian. It had always been this way.

Whenever something happened to Lillian, no matter how minor, Edmund and Theo would both be overly concerned.

Once, the four of them had gone to the park together. For some reason, Lillian suddenly grew weak. Whether it was due to heatstroke or another sudden illness, no one knew.

Regardless, she looked as if she were about to faint. Edmund and Theo had rushed to her side instantly. Edmund had even shoved Vivienne aside in his urgency, sending her tumbling to the ground. And yet, no one had noticed.

The most ironic part was that later that day, when Edmund saw the bandages on her hand, he had casually asked how she had injured herself. A feeble, almost pitiful voice broke through Vivienne’s thoughts.

“Theo, I wasn’t standing properly. It has nothing to do with your mother.”

Lillian shook her head gently, tears slipping down her cheeks as she sighed. “It’s my fault. My body is just too weak…”

Theo pouted. “But I saw it with my own eyes. Mommy pushed Madam Lillian.”

Then, he turned to Vivienne, his expression serious.

“Mommy, you always taught me that when we do something wrong, we should admit it and make amends. You wouldn’t go back on your word just because you’re an adult, would you?”

Vivienne had devoted years to nurturing Theo’s health, putting in every effort to care for him. But when it came to his education, she had rarely interfered. At only five-years-old, Theo was already fluent in three languages and had a sharp tongue that could leave adults speechless.

Even Edmund’s mother often commented that Theo’s intelligence mirrored Edmund’s at that age. And now, that same intelligence was being used against her for the sake of Lillian. As his mother, she was supposed to set an example. How could she demand honesty from her child if she herself didn’t uphold it?

She glanced at the pair standing together, Edmund and Theo, both shielding Lillian as if they were a family.

At that moment, she realized something. She had no expectations left for either of them. And yet, Theo’s words still stung her heart. She lowered her gaze to meet his eyes.

“You’re right. I did teach you that admitting one’s mistakes is important. But…”

Vivienne paused, then enunciated each word clearly.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. So why should I apologize?”

If this had been before, she would have yielded for Theo’s sake. However, she chose not to do so today.

Theo instinctively replied, “But I saw you push Madam Lillian.”

Vivienne didn’t argue. Instead, she smiled faintly.

“And who said that just because I pushed her, I was in the wrong?”

“But Mommy, you told me that hitting people is wrong—”

Her voice was calm. “I also told you that we shouldn’t bully others, but we should never allow ourselves to be bullied either. And if someone keeps crossing your boundaries… then don’t hesitate to fight back.”

Theo was intelligent, but at the end of the day, he was still a child. Hearing his mother say something so unexpected, he was momentarily stunned, unable to form a response. At that moment, Adrian’s voice spoke up.

“Theo, that’s not how you should speak to your mother.”

Both Edmund and Theo turned their heads at the same time, as if only now noticing the presence of Adrian.

Theo blinked. “Mr. Adrian?”

Edmund, however, frowned deeply. “Why are you here?”

As Vivienne’s violin mentor and childhood friend, Adrian had always been a presence in her life. Edmund had met him several times and heard Vivienne mention him often.

She had once told him that Adrian had lost his parents early and was raised by his grandparents. When he was in middle school, his grandparents had passed away as well, leaving him completely alone.

Vivienne’s mother recognized his musical talent and took him in as a disciple. But back then, Adrian had been withdrawn and indifferent, refusing to let anyone get close. It had taken Vivienne three years to break through his walls and get him to accept her as a friend.

For reasons Edmund himself couldn’t explain, he had disliked the man from the moment they first met.

“You can meet with your ex, but Vivienne can’t have a meal with her childhood friend? What’s so strange about that?” His words were sharp, cutting through Edmund’s and Lillian’s carefully maintained façade.

Edmund’s expression darkened considerably.

“Vivienne, come home with me.”

Vivienne’s voice was calm. “No, I haven’t finished eating with Adrian.”

Edmund’s tone turned cold. “Vivienne, I won’t say it again. Come with me.”

Vivienne knew this was his warning. If she didn’t comply, things wouldn’t end with just a cold war. He would escalate.

She could never forget that stormy night.

Soaked to the bone, she had knelt at his feet, pleading through tears for him to return Theo to her. He had looked down at her, towering over her with an air of superiority, and asked, “Do you admit you were wrong?”

With no other choice, she had sobbed out an apology for something she hadn’t even done. Edmund always had a way of breaking her. But now… Vivienne let out a quiet laugh and slowly uttered a single word.

“No.”

Edmund’s expression turned icy, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“Vivienne, think about the consequences.”

She met his gaze without flinching. “Go ahead, Mr. Harrington. Use whatever methods you want.”

Her only weakness had been Theo. But now even Theo wasn’t hers anymore. Edmund had nothing left to use against her.

Turning to Adrian, she said, “Let’s go somewhere else. The air here isn’t great.”

Adrian studied her for a few seconds, then nodded.

“Alright.”

Without another glance at Edmund, Theo, or Lillian, Vivienne grabbed her bag and walked away.

Behind her, Theo’s voice called out stubbornly.

“Mommy, aren’t you going to apologize to Madam Lillian?”

Vivienne’s footsteps only faltered for a fraction of a second before she continued walking, never looking back. Edmund watched her retreating figure. His expression was growing colder. Theo also stared after her, confusion flickering in his young eyes.

Mommy seems different somehow!

Seeing their gazes lingering on Vivienne, a deep chill flashed through Lillian’s eyes.

Suddenly, she let out a soft gasp, “Ah!”

Both Edmund’s and Theo’s attention snapped back to her.

Lillian’s face had gone deathly pale, her body swaying as if she were about to collapse.

Edmund’s expression shifted. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms.