A sharp, unbearable pain clawed at Vivienne’s heart.
She shut the messaging app, set her phone aside, and tried to steady her breathing. But the ache refused to fade no matter how long she sat there.
Rafael had countless lovers, more than she could ever count, but she had never seen him this devoted to any of them.
Maybe whatever sliver of love he once had for her had long been swept away by the wind.
Ultimately, she couldn’t bring herself to wear the dress he sent.
It repulsed her.
When she finally stood before Rafael, she caught the fleeting moment his smile faltered, the unnatural twitch of his lips betraying his reaction.
Beside him, Freya clung to his arm without hesitation.
"What’s wrong, brother? Did she upset you again? So bad!"
Rafael shook off Freya’s hand and limped toward Vivienne, his gaze dark and unreadable.
"Where’s the dress I gave you?"
"You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You dressed like this just to disgust me, to provoke me, to humiliate me?"
Vivienne lowered her gaze, taking in the casual outfit she wore.
"No."
"You’re not that important."
"Not important enough for me to dress for you nor to go out of my way just to displease you."
Rafael drew in a deep breath, his eyes darkening, the rims tinged red.
Had Freya not latched onto his wrist and dragged him away, Vivienne feared he might have crushed her in his grip.
Just then, a man approached, his voice laced with enthusiasm.
"Mr. Moretti, hello! Is this your wife? Hello, ma’am!"
Freya’s face instantly brightened, her smile stretching wide as she nodded eagerly.
But the moment her gaze flickered toward Vivienne, something shifted.
"And she is...?"
"Ignore her."
Rafael’s expression darkened, his voice dripping with impatience. "She’s just the housemaid."
Vivienne’s heart plummeted, a sharp, violent ache tearing through her chest.
Humiliation burned beneath her skin. She turned her head away, only to catch sight of the three-tiered fruit cake being wheeled in.
Rafael gently took Freya’s hand, guiding it as they cut the cake together.
Then, with a warm smile, he lifted a small piece to her lips, feeding her the first bite himself.
Freya chewed delicately, her eyes crinkling with joy.
"Thank you, brother."
"I love you."
For a brief moment, Rafael’s hand trembled. But the hesitation vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a soft smile.
"As long as you like it. If it makes you happy, I’ll have her make it for you every day, different flavors, just to keep you smiling."
Freya beamed, throwing herself into his arms in a tight embrace.
Then, right there, in front of everyone, they kissed passionately.
Vivienne stood frozen, her gaze locking onto the scene as someone in the crowd raised their phone, snapping pictures.
Instinctively, she stepped back.
Just then, Freya suddenly pushed Rafael away, her brows tightly furrowed, her lips pressing together in discomfort.
"Brother… Brother, I… I feel awful."
An alarm flashed across Rafael’s face. "What’s wrong, Freya?"
Freya staggered, her breath coming in shallow gasps before her body gave way, collapsing to the ground.
Rafael dropped to his knees beside her, gripping her trembling hands.
"Freya!" His voice was urgent, thick with worry.
Freya’s fingers clutched at his sleeve as panic filled her eyes.
"Brother, I can’t breathe… I think… I think I’m having an allergic reaction…"
Rafael’s gaze flickered to the cake, then swept past the murmuring crowd until it landed on Vivienne.
"I… I didn’t—"
"Didn’t what?!"
"How many times have I told you? Freya can’t eat mango! She can’t! And yet you still made her allergic! I know you did this on purpose, to hurt her!"
Rafael stormed toward her, his steps unsteady but fueled by rage.
Vivienne barely had time to draw a breath before a sharp slap cracked across her cheek.
"Stop acting like some helpless little rabbit. I see right through you. You’re nothing but vicious! Once the hospital confirms the diagnosis, let’s see what excuse you have left!"
With that, Rafael swept Freya into his arms and tore through the crowd, vanishing from sight.
