Chapter 9
Vivienne’s heart pounded wildly as she tried to steady her breath, eyes fixed on the pitch–black waves beneath the yacht.
Nothing could be seen down there–it was as if nothing had happened.
After a long while, she finally turned back.
“Rest in peace, Sloane. You got exactly what you deserved.”
Under the cover of darkness, her twisted little smile held a trace of cruel satisfaction.
On the second deck, Declan was carefully holding a six–inch chiffon cake. Seeing Vivienne return, he lit the candle on top. “Try it. No milk. Raspberries flown in fresh this morning. Just 30% sweetness–perfect for your diet phase. You’ll love it.”
Vivienne blew out the candle with a coy smile, eyes full of expectation. “Feed me, then”
“Aww, come on, you two invited us here just to show off, huh?”
“Huh, seriously, Declan when are you finally divorcing that maid? Time to make our lady here official.”
ing at that
“Yeah, just get married already. Didn’t you give her a ring at that charity gala last week?”
Their teasing grew louder, more shameless.
and looked around, searching the crowd to clan‘ smile faltered for a moment. A strange unease crossed his face. He lifted his head
But Sloane was nowhere to be found.
A wave of anxiety surged in his chest.
a familiar figure.
“Why are you spacing out, Declan? Feed me the cake. Vivienne clung to his arm, giving it a playful shake.
Snapping back, Declan scooped up a small bite of cake and fed it to her. But the moment she swallowed, he pulled his hand away as if trying to keep distance. His brows knit as he looked toward the others. “Alright, that’s enough. I know everyone’s joking, but don’t take it too far. I am married, after all. I’ve got a wife. Vivienne’s still single.”
“If this keeps up, it won’t look good–for her.”
The air shifted. Vivienne’s smile froze. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.
Before long, the yacht returned to shore. The elite guests trickled off in groups.
But Declan stayed behind.
“The number you dialed is unavailable.”
That robotic voice on the line again. His frown deepened. He turned quickly and walked up to Vivienne, who was still chatting with her friends.
“Vivienne, did you see Sloane? After I came back with the cake, she was gone. But the yacht hasn’t docked at all… I’m worried something-”
He didn’t even finish before Vivienne cut in, her voice light and deliberately casual. “Sloane? Oh… well…”
Her face scrunched with false distress. “She seemed really upset earlier after the game punishment. Once you left, she pulled me aside… and, look–she tore the lace collar of my dress when she lost her temper.”
She held out her neckline, showing the frayed seam. “I barely got away from her. After that, she left on her own. The yacht has an inflatable motorboat. I heard someone took it out tonight–probably her.”
Declan glanced at the faint red mark on her skin and the torn lace. Just like that, his worry vanished, replaced with anger. “Still the same temper. Even after everything, she’s bullying you again.”
“She wants sto sulk and switch off her phone? Fine. Let her.”
Vivienne slipped her hand into his. “Don’t be mad, okay? Come have a drink with me.”
That night, the two of them left the coast and headed straight for a bar.
Declan still simmered with frustration, tossing back a few cocktails. They weren’t even that strong, but his body reacted strangely- heat flooding through him, head spinning.
Vivienne reached out to steady him. “You’re drunk. Come on, I’ll take you upstairs to the hotel and let you
Most of his weight was leaning on her.
rest.”
The moment the hotel door opened, something cool brushed gently across his throat. His muscles tensed. He glanced down–Vivienne’s fingers were already teasing at his collar.
She was on tiptoe, her breath warm and ticklish against his skin.
“Declan, I want you for my birthday.”
Her tone was soft. Coy. And Declan burning up, flushed, dazed–didn’t resist. Instead, his arms pulled her tighter into his embrace
Chapter 9
