Elodie
My face brightens up as my eyes fall on Vivian.
She's standing not too far from me, blinking like she is unsure if It's really me.
I gasp, as a warm relief wraps around me.
At least... It's her. Of all people, it's her.
"Vivian," I breathe out, forcing a tired smile.
"Elodie? It's really you." she says, her voice shifts from surprise to excitement. Then she rushes forward.
We fell into a hug. She wraps me tightly with joy.
"You are the last person I expect to see here." I answer, holding back the tears pressing up in my eyes.
"It's been ages!" Her warm voice echoes. "You disappeared, girl. Without a word"
I smile exhaustively. "It's not what you think."
She pulls back from me a little, her eyes scanning me with that same old knowing look. "Then what is it?"
She rolls her eyes playfully.
"It's been almost ten years since I last saw you." She draws closer and hugs me again. I've missed you so much."
"I missed you too," I whisper back.
She takes my hands, touching my cheek. "What happened? Why did you vanish like that? Not even a message." she says as she drags me closer to the metal seat and we sit.
I bring down my face, swallowing hard. "Circumstances forced me to."
She pauses. "Is it your step mother? Is she still...?"
I nod. "She hasn't changed."
Vivian sighs, taking a deep breath. "And what about now? You don't look so well. Are you sick?"
Tears slip through my eyes immediately. My throat tightens.
"I wish it were me," I whisper. "But it's not."
Her brows furrow. "What do you mean?"
"My son," I say pointing towards the operating room. "He's in there."
Vivian blinks, stunned. "You... have a son?"
"Yes." My voice cracks. "For my ex-husband."
She stares at me, tilting her head backwards, as if, processing what I just said.
"I kept him hidden, no one knows about us. Not even his father."
"You're even married?" she dips her brow.
"Once married Vivian," I point out. "We're not together anymore, just Liam and I."
She doesn't speak. Just reaches out and pulls me into another warm embrace. "I don't even know you were once married."
Her voice breaks as she takes a deep breath and pats my back. "Elodie... you've been carrying all this alone?"
I nod. Tears stream down my cheeks.
And for the first time this evening, I allow myself to breathe.
"He is evil. Mason, is evil." My voice cracks as my sob crawls in quietly.
She pulls out from me suddenly. "Mason?"
"Yes. Mason."
Her jaw tightens. "Wait... which Mason? Are you talking about the same Mason we met at the yacht party years back?
"Yes, Vivy," I nod, my throat tightening.
She gasps, covering her mouth, then squints after a short while. "And he dares hurt you?"
"He did. But it's all in the past now," I say, swallowing hard. "Serena replaced me after I couldn't bear a child for him."
Her eyes grow glossy with disbelief. "What? Serena again?"
"Yes. They all blamed me for being barren, but I'm grateful today."
She shakes her hair in anger. "That idiot actually had the nerve to walk away from you? And your sister, she's even worse than her mother"
I give a broken smile "it's okay. I'm better off without that marriage."
"Sure. Sure," she says with a soft smile and pats my shoulder. "You're stronger than all of them, but trust me, you're not alone anymore."
I nod vigorously.
"You don't deserve any of those toxic cycles," she continues. "They have always been torn to your flesh right from when you were young."
I sniff and swallow hard.
"And as for your stepsister, Serena. She has everything she ever wanted yet she won't stop pestering you. I wonder why you're still keeping mute about it?"
Vivian scoffs and bites her lower lip. "Girl, you can fight back legally for everything they've done to..."
"No, no, no. I can't do that." I interrupt, cutting her off.
"Why? Why exactly Elodie?" her concerned voice comes stronger this time. "You can't keep allowing them to get on your nerves all the time. C'mon."
"But I can't hurt them either. They're my family. Serena is still my younger sister."
She chuckles loudly. "This is the exact reason they won't stop hurting you. To them, you're not wanted. Can't you see that? And unless you fight back, Serena Fontain will never stop coming after you."
My heartbeat rises as the weight of their actions come crashing. A fresh tear wells up in my eyes, threatening to unleash but I blink repeatedly.
"I wish there's a better way to make you understand," Vivian continues. "They won't stop denying you access to everything that's yours. You need to do something."
She stands, paces back and forth. Fingers clenching tight. Then she turns and strides back and sits.
"Look at you. You can't even go to your parents house. That's unfair Elodie." She inhales heavily.
A sob creeps to my lips, causing it to tremble. But Vivian gently takes my hand and rubs gently.
"Okay, enough of Serena and her mother. Now tell me, what can I do to assist you?"
I hesitate. Then wipe my face. "Can I stay at your place? Just until my son fully recovers."
She doesn't blink. "Of course . You're not alone this time, Elodie. Never again."
"Talking to you..." I sniff, and slowly exhale. "It's like hope, coming back."
But before she can respond, her eyes shift past me to the doorway and her face stiffens.
I turn and see Travis walking in, gesturing as he speaks into his phone.
Vivian squints, rubbing her eyes like she's unsure.
"Travis Milton?"
"What is he doing here?" She whispers. "First it's you, and now...him? What a day." her lips curve to a moon shape.
The door swings open, cutting her off.
Dr. Jerry steps out with a faint smile.
"It's successful, madam. You'll see him shortly. The nurses are dressing the wound."
"Thank you, Doctor." Travis steps forward before I can speak, offering his hand.
Dr. Jerry shakes it. "The pleasure is mine."
I spring to my feet with a big relief, gasping.
Vivian glances at me, her brows raise, and her lips curl into a smirk.
"Why is he thanking the doctor for your son?" Vivian asks, facing me. "Do you know him from somewhere?"
I shake my head. "No, not really."
She raises a brow. "Hmm. Okay save that look for later."
A nurse approaches us.
"You can go in now. He's still unconscious from the drugs, but he'll wake up in a few hours."
Before either of us can move, Travis ends his call and slips inside the room first.
Then Vivian and I follow.
I walk close to Liam and carefully, I lean down and press a kiss to his forehead, mindful of the nasal catheter taped beneath his nose.
"Hey madam," Travis softly says after a while, stepping closer. He holds out a bundle of cash and a card.
"Please use this for anything else you might need while I'm away. I'll be back tomorrow. Call me if anything changes."
I hesitate before staring at him like it could pierce his soul and avenge Liam's condition. But Vivian won't stop giving me a sign to give in.
Stretching my hands, I finally take his offers and place them on the bedside table.
He glances at Liam, then turns and walks out without waiting for thanks.
Good for him.
I wasn't going to say that anyways.
Vivian turns to me, blinking slowly. "You still haven't told me what's going on Elodie?"
I squint. "He's just helping because he caused all of this." I snap.
"No." She shakes her head in disagreement, her voice lower than it was earlier, then she leans in and continues.
"He's looking at you like he's known you forever. I'm... I think I am really missing something... Aren't I?"
