Chapter 3

　　Vivian's POV

　　"Effective immediately, I resign from my position as Executive Secretary. Please coordinate with my legal counsel for the transfer of my personal belongings."

　　I stared at the email I had composed to the Wilson group, but even now, my trembling hand hovered over the send button as I couldn't bring myself to end it all. I thought I had everything planned out, but it turned out to be that I was just a placeholder for years, and now, I wasn't needed anymore.

　　I was still in pain from the surgery, but nothing could compare to the pain in my heart as I tried not to break down. Heaving a shaky breath, I hit send and watched as a three-year chapter of my life closed with a single click. Flagging down a cab, I got in and stared out of the window until the taxi pulled up in front of the Rosewood Manor, causing my breath to hitch.

　　This was the house my father had bought for my mother. It was the house where I had spent my happiest childhood years before the world turned gray, but now, it was Gordon Taylor's house. I pushed through the front doors, and laughter filled my ears immediately.

　　"Oh, Vivian! You are finally home," Nora said as she stepped into the hallway. She looked me up and down with her eyes lingering on my pale face and the slight limp in my walk. "You look terrible. Did you even go to the clinic as I told you?"

　　"The surgery is done, Mother," I said, and didn't bother to close the door before walking straight to the drawing room where Ivy and Gordon were sitting. Ivy was lying on an armchair and scrolling on her phone with a smirk playing on her perfectly glossed lips.

　　"Congratulations on the birthday, Viv. Did you see my post? Caleb was so sweet to take me skiing and he said he really needed the break after dealing with so much... stress at the office lately."

　　My heart squeezed painfully, but I didn't let my emotions show as I kept a straight face. "I saw it, and I hope you enjoyed the view, Ivy, because it is the last thing you will be enjoying at my expense."

　　Gordon cleared his throat, looking annoyed by the tension and ready to blame me, like he always did. "Nora said you agreed to the arrangement, Vivian, and it is about time you started contributing to this family's future. The merger with the Vance family is a big step for us."

　　"I didn't just agree to the arrangement," I said as I reached into my bag and pulled out the marriage license, tossing it onto the table. "I am already married. The deal is done."

　　The room went silent as Nora gasped and Gordon leaned forward to squint at the paper, while Ivy's smirk faltered.

　　"Already?" Nora whispered. "But the meeting wasn't even finalized, so how could you—"

　　"You wanted me married to secure the family interests," I interrupted. "I have followed your orders so now, it is time for you to follow through on yours. I want my father's shares in the Starry Hotel transferred to my name by tomorrow morning. And I want Ivy out of this house."

　　Ivy let out a sharp, mocking bark of laughter as she stood up and tossed her hair over her shoulder while her malicious eyes settled on me. "You really think you can walk in here and make demands because you signed a piece of paper?"

　　Nora looked conflicted as she glanced between Gordon and me. "Vivian, honey, we need to talk about the timing. The hotel is in a sensitive transition, and Rosewood Manor is... well, it's Gordon's home too."

　　"It was my father's home," I snapped, refusing to back down. "You promised me, Mother. You said if I married the man you chose, you would give me back my legacy."

　　"You really think a piece of paper gives you power here?" Ivy sneered. "Vivian, you are even more pathetic than I thought. Do you even know who you married?"

　　"I married the man you set me up with," I said, my heart beginning to hammer against my ribs. "The wealthy heir you were so desperate to align with, so what else do you want?"

　　"Wealthy heir?" Ivy laughed as she got up and began to walk towards me. "Oh, Viv. Didn't Mom tell you? The man we chose for you, Zane, is a total joke. He is a notorious playboy who has already burned through half his family's trust and he spends money on gambling and fast women like it is water. He is a loser, Vivian. A reckless, bottom-feeding loser."

　　I froze as I looked at Nora, waiting for her to deny it, but she averted her gaze, nervously smoothing her skirt.

　　"Is that true?" I whispered as my mother's betrayal stung harder than it should.

　　"The deal is done, Vivian," Gordon said in a dismissive tone. "The Vances needed someone to keep Zane on a leash, and we needed the alliance so it doesn't matter if he is a playboy. You are his wife now and you belong to that family."

　　I tried to process my thoughts but Ivy laughed again, leaning into my personal space. "Even your own mother couldn't wait to sell you off to the highest bidder, and the best she could get for you was a man who will probably leave you broke and embarrassed within a month. You lost Caleb to me, and now you've tied yourself to a man who will treat you like trash. You really are a failure, aren't you?"

　　"You knew," I breathed as my legs began to wobble slightly.

　　"It was for the hotel, Vivian!" Nora yelled. "We needed an alliance and you were the only available choice."

　　Wow.

　　I gritted my teeth as Ivy burst into a mocking laugh right in my face.

　　"You think this is funny?" I asked, furious.

　　"I think it's hilarious," Ivy whispered, her face now inches from mine. "You're a placeholder in bed and a bartering chip in business! You are nothing, Vivian."

　　My control snapped and before I could help it, my palm already connected with Ivy's cheek, making her head snap to the side due to the effect of the slap. Ivy's hand flew to her reddening cheek with her eyes wide with shock while Nora screamed my name in horror, and Gordon let out a roar of fury, lunging toward me.

　　"You ungrateful brat!" Gordon shouted, his hand raised to strike me and I flinched, waiting for his strike but it didn't come.

　　"I would suggest you lower that hand before I decide to take it from you." A loud and deep voice boomed, making everyone freeze.