Chapter 5

Vivian POV

I looked at that invitation, finding it utterly absurd.

"He wants me to paint an engagement portrait for him and his mistress?"

I laughed coldly.

"Is his brain damaged, or does he think I have no dignity?"

The assistant lowered his head, his tone businesslike.

"Mr. Sinclair said if you refuse, your grandmother's private care room might need to be reassigned."

Grandma again.

Ethan always knew how to exploit my weakness.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll paint it."

For the next two weeks, I stood before the canvas day and night.

A ten-foot oil painting required enormous physical strength and wrist endurance.

My wrist already had severe tendonitis, and after being forced to give blood, my body was at its limit.

Every brushstroke felt like needles stabbing my wrist.

Halfway through, Ethan brought Stella to "inspect" the work.

Stella looked at the canvas showing the two of them embracing and smiled with satisfaction.

"Vivian paints so well. You made Ethan look so handsome. But the color of my dress train here, isn't it too dark? Could you change it?"

My hand holding the brush trembled uncontrollably. Cold sweat soaked my back.

I ignored Stella and mechanically mixed colors.

The brush slipped from my shaking hand and fell to the floor.

Ethan frowned, looking at my trembling hand, annoyance flashing in his eyes.

"Vivian, what are you pretending now? It's just painting. Are you that aggrieved?"

I bent down to pick up the brush, my voice eerily calm.

"Not aggrieved. Mr. Sinclair pays, I deliver. As it should be."

Ethan snorted coldly.

"Better be. The painting must be finished before the engagement party. If you delay Stella's event, I'll hold you accountable."

After they left, I collapsed on the floor, clutching my spasming wrist, gasping for breath.

I looked at Ethan's affectionate face on the canvas and suddenly felt nauseous.

I grabbed the palette knife nearby, wanting desperately to slash the painting to shreds.

But I held back.

Grandma was still in the hospital. I couldn't be impulsive.

Two weeks later, the painting was finally complete.

My wrist was swollen like a dumpling. I couldn't even hold utensils.

I delivered the painting to Ethan's assistant, then went to visit Grandma at the hospital.

Grandma's condition had stabilized considerably. She held my hand and asked.

"Vivian, why hasn't Ethan come to see me in so long?"

I forced back the bitterness and smiled.

"He's been busy with the company lately. He'll visit you in a few days."

Walking out of the room, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes wearily.

Soon. Once Grandma finished her final checkup, I'd take her and leave this city. Leave Ethan forever.

On the day of the engagement party, Ethan rented out the city's largest seven-star hotel.

I didn't go. Instead, I stayed in my apartment packing.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated frantically. It was the hospital calling.

"Vivian, your grandmother's condition suddenly deteriorated. She's having acute heart failure. She's being resuscitated now. We need family members here immediately to sign consent forms!"

My mind went blank with a buzz. I nearly dropped my phone.

"I'm coming right now! Please, you must save her!"

I rushed out of the apartment, only to find it was pouring rain outside. I couldn't get a cab.

Ethan had confiscated my car keys days ago, saying I was emotionally unstable and shouldn't drive.

I bit my lip and ran through the rain toward the engagement party hotel.

It was the closest place where I could find Ethan.

When I burst into the banquet hall, soaking wet, everyone's eyes turned to me.

Ethan wore a white designer suit, gently placing an engagement ring on Stella's finger.

"Ethan!"

I rushed over and grabbed his arm, my voice desperate.

"Give me the car keys! Grandma's being resuscitated. I need to get to the hospital!"

Ethan looked at my bedraggled appearance, frowning deeply, and shook off my hand.

"Vivian, haven't you made enough of a scene? Do you not realize what day this is?"

"I'm begging you, give me the car keys!"

I was crying desperately.

"Grandma's dying. I need to see her one last time!"

Seeing this, Stella immediately put on a frightened expression and hid in Ethan's arms.

"Ethan, Vivian is so scary..."

Ethan's eyes went completely cold.

"Vivian, you'd make up this kind of lie just to ruin my engagement party? Your grandmother was fine yesterday!"

"I'm not lying! The hospital just called!"

I sobbed desperately.

I tried to grab the keys from Ethan's pocket, but Stella deliberately blocked my way.

As we struggled, Stella screamed and fell to the ground.

"Stella!"

Ethan flew into a rage and kicked me in the shoulder.

I was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into a champagne tower.

Glass shattered everywhere, shards piercing my palms and back. Blood mixed with rainwater flowed.

"Someone!"

Ethan looked down at me, his eyes ice-cold.

"Lock her in the upstairs storage room! No one lets her out without my permission!"

"Ethan! You can't do this to me! Grandma's waiting for me!"

I struggled desperately, but two bodyguards dragged me away.

The storage room door slammed shut.

Inside, there were no lights. Complete darkness.

I had severe claustrophobia. The darkness swallowed me like a tide.

I pounded on the door, crying until my voice was hoarse.

"Let me out... please let me out..."

Outside came the cheerful music from the banquet hall and guests' congratulations.

I don't know how long passed before my phone rang.

I answered with trembling hands.

"Vivian, I'm sorry. We did everything we could. Your grandmother... didn't make it."

The phone slipped from my hand.

I sat paralyzed in the darkness. I didn't cry. I didn't shout.

My world had completely collapsed.