The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Regret

Chapter 8

Vivian Xavier's throat tightened as if something were lodged in it.

The words "I missed you," rehearsed a thousand times in her heart, never made it past her lips.

Her gaze locked onto the unfamiliar woman nestled in Samuel Sinclair's arms, her voice trembling. "Who is she?"

Feeling Samuel stiffen, Penelope Quincy deliberately pressed closer against him.

"You must be Vivian," Penelope said, tilting her head with a bright smile. "I've seen you in Samuel's wedding photos. Though..." She gave Vivian a once-over. "The real you is far less impressive."

Samuel chuckled at Penelope's remark, his tense shoulders visibly relaxing.

Vivian felt as though a knife had been plunged into her chest. Her nails dug deep into her palms, but she barely registered the pain.

"Since you came all this way," Penelope drawled, lazily flipping her hair, "I'm Penelope Quincy. Samuel's—"

"Penelope Quincy?" Vivian cut her off with a cold laugh. "Now I remember. The ungrateful foster daughter of the Sinclair family's driver, kicked out by the old lady for stealing."

Penelope shrugged, utterly unfazed.

But Samuel's expression darkened. "Vivian, watch your tone. And how did you even find this place? Trespassing is illegal."

Only then did Vivian remember why she had come. She drew a sharp breath, forcing down her fury. "Samuel, enough. I came personally to bring you home. How long are you going to keep throwing this tantrum?"

"Home?" Samuel laughed as if she'd told a joke. "Vivian, we're divorced. Didn't you get the divorce papers I sent you?"

For a split second, panic flickered across Vivian's face before she regained her composure. "I tore that worthless document to shreds!" She took a step forward. "I know you're angry, but I've dealt with Adrian. He won't show his face around you again—"

She reached out to touch Samuel's face, but he shoved her hand away.

"Vivian," Samuel said, his voice terrifyingly calm, "when the Sinclairs fell from grace, it was the Xaviers who helped us. For nine years, I repaid that debt. Now that you're carrying Adrian's child, the Xavier line is secure. I sincerely wish you both happiness."

Vivian staggered back as if struck by lightning.

"You're lying!" Her voice shook. "If it was just about repaying a debt, why did you always ask me to kiss you before leaving? Why did you stay up all night when I was sick?"

Samuel's eyes turned icy.

Those sweet memories now tasted like poison.

He had loved too humbly, and she had trampled on it too easily.

"Vivian," he said wearily, rubbing his temples, "I'm not like Adrian. I won't be your plaything, at your beck and call. This is my new life now. Please leave."

"New life?" Vivian suddenly shrieked hysterically. "Your so-called new life is with this—"

Before she could finish, her vision darkened. Two sleepless nights and the blood loss from her back tattoo had pushed her body past its limit.

Just before the world went black, she saw Samuel rushing toward her in panic...