Vivian was forced to organize Serena's welcome party. She had tried to refuse, but Julian had made it a condition for allowing her to keep her father's vintage watch collection, which had been stored in the company vault. For that, she would endure one last humiliation.
The party was at a jazz club in the Village-Julian's favorite spot.
She was at the venue early, checking the sound equipment with the technicians. She wore black, blending into the shadows.
Julian arrived early to check on Serena, who was doing a soundcheck on stage.
They were standing by the DJ booth. Vivian approached with a clipboard to get Julian's sign-off on the catering menu.
As she walked up, she saw Julian holding a vinyl record. He was showing it to Serena with a look of reverence.
It was a first pressing of Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue."
You still have it, Serena whispered, touching the cover.
Of course, Julian said softly. "It's the best gift I ever received."
Vivian froze.
She had bought him a copy of that record for his birthday last year. She had hunted it down in Tokyo. She had presented it to him, and he had smiled and thanked her.
But the copy in his hand... she looked closer. It was worn at the edges. It wasn't the pristine, mint-condition copy she had bought.
I remember signing the sleeve, Serena said, opening it to show her signature in silver ink. "Happy 25th, Jay."
Vivian felt the ground drop out from under her.
He was holding the copy Serena gave him years ago.
Where is... Vivian started, then stopped herself.
She looked at the shelf behind the booth, where Julian kept a few records at the club. On the bottom shelf, still wrapped in plastic, still in the gift bag she had put it in, was her copy.
He hadn't even opened hers. He had kept Serena's on display and thrown hers in the trash pile.
Vivian's hand went slack. The clipboard slipped from her fingers.
Clatter.
The sound echoed in the empty club.
Julian and Serena turned.
Clumsy, Serena whispered to Julian, loud enough for Vivian to hear.
Vivian bent down to pick up the clipboard. Her face burned.
I need to check the catering, she said abruptly.
She walked away fast. She pushed through the kitchen doors and went out into the back alley.
The air smelled of garbage and rain.
Vivian kicked a trash can. She kicked it again, harder.
She screamed silently into her hand, her body shaking with rage and grief.
Suddenly, amidst the anger, she felt a strange sensation. It wasn't physical-it was too early for that-but it was a profound, deep tug in her gut. A moment of absolute clarity. A spiritual tether snapping into place.
She wasn't alone.
She placed her hands on her stomach. She closed her eyes and imagined the tiny spark of life inside her. It was the only thing in the world that was truly hers. It was the only thing that didn't belong to the Sterling empire.
Just us, she whispered to the damp air. "We're leaving. I promise."
She pulled out her phone and called her lawyer.
Speed up the divorce, she said.
Vivian, the lawyer warned, if we rush, we lose leverage on the alimony.
I don't want the alimony, Vivian hissed. "I just want out. I want his name off me. Draft the papers now."
Just do it.
She hung up.
She wiped her face with a tissue. She fixed her hair in the reflection of a dark window.
She returned to the party.
She stood in the shadows, watching them. Julian had his hand on the small of Serena's back. They looked perfect together.
Vivian touched her stomach again. She had a secret that would destroy his perfect picture, but she would never let him use it. She would be the one to walk away.
