Chapter 8
Six months later.]
Because of Millie, I scrapped my escape plan and dove into her startup.
Her mission? Prove she could make it without Daddy’s empire.
Mine? Survival paychecks.]
For six months, I became a corporate gladiator–blood, sweat, and zero social life.
Started from the basement. Did every damn job myself.[]
First at every client pitch. Last to leave every networking hellscape.
If a whale investor breathed near our industry? I materialized like a hungry ghost.
When my bank account bulged but my vitals flat–lined, Millie nuked my schedule:
“Vivian! Using work as methadone? Everyone–even Josh–thinks you’re still hung up on him!”
“That bastard swapped you out like last season’s Prada! Didn’t even cancel the wedding–just plugged Isla into your slot!”
“Bullshit!”
The denial tore out with zero hesitation.
Then came to Zachary, Millie grinned.
“Then give Zachary a shot!” []
“He’s been trailing you like a lost puppy for months.”
“Seriously? Not even a flutter?“]
Silence thickened. I shut that door hard.
Millie’s eyes lit up. I hadn’t deflected with jokes this time. Her fingers flew across her phone, firing the news to Zachary: She cracked!
Didn’t feel anything?]
Please.
That man was sunlight poured into human form.
But seven years with Josh left me festering. No way I’d taint Zachary’s untainted world.[]
“Heading out.” I muttered, grabbing my keys. All I craved was twelve hours of oblivion.[]
Didn’t expect to find Josh waiting under my apartment’s snow pine.[]
He leaned against the trunk, exhaustion carving trenches in his face. His eyes sparked–just for a second–when he saw me.
I walked past without turning my head.[]
That’s when he snapped, grabbing my wrist
“Vivian. We need to talk.”
I wrenched free, ice in my voice:[]
“Respect me, Josh. You’re engaged. I won’t be stigmatized as your mistress.“]
His hand jerked back like my words carried voltage. Panic spiked his tone:]
That gala incident–1 can explain! Stella’s blind venom twisted everything! I’ve told everyone we were just talking–I was drunk! Drunk words!”
Cut to last month’s charity gala.
Mr. Lewis–back from Paris with game–changing tech–was Zachary’s roommate.]]
We’d been chatting in the rose garden when Josh, reeking of bourbon, lunged at us.
“Back off, Zach! Vivian’s mine!”
Stella materialized like a vengeful ghost. Her finger stabbed my face:[]
“Homewrecker! Isla’s got a bun in the oven–still scheming?
0
If Zachary hadn’t shielded me with his body, her claws would’ve shredded me to bone meal
josh had sobered up afterward, cornering me with apologies for weeks. But the damage stuck like tar.
Gossip vultures unearthed our history, weaponizing it against Millie’s company.[]
Pure jealousy. We were soaring too high, too fast.
That night scraped me raw. For the first time, I felt revulsion-
How could I have loved this rotting carcass of a man?
He couldn’t read my mind, but my glacial stare made his eyes redden at the corners.]
“Vivian, stop looking at me like that–I can’t take it…“]]
His hand flew toward my eyes. I slapped it away:]
“Release me. I’ve had enough barking.”
“Death row inmates get appeals! We had seven whole years–you can’t just-“]
I halted. My gaze sliced through him, catching a rigid silhouette behind the oak. Voice dropping to subzero, I rephrased:[]
“Fine. Say your plece. But these terms are final–no takebacks.“[]
Hope flared in Josh’s eyes.[]
Behind the tree, knuckles tightened bone–white.[]
