Chapter 2

The tiny touch caused both Vivienne and Roman to freeze in place. A jolt snapped between them, tightening the air.

Roman felt heat surge through him, coiled and restless. He stared at Vivienne's lips and leaned in, closer with each breath.

Watching him draw nearer, Vivienne's heart kicked into a sprint. The heat rolling off him made her edge back before she could stop herself.

That tiny retreat scraped the warmth from Roman's expression. He knew that, deep down, she was still resisting him.

She'd slit her wrist and even tried to please him. Had all of that just been to push him into agreeing to her marriage to Johnny?

Frustrated, Roman straightened and loosened his tie. Whatever spark hit him a moment ago died fast.

Vivienne picked up on Roman's change and knew he was overthinking again.

She was about to explain when her phone rang. When she took it out, she saw Johnny's name. She declined the call without a second thought, then blocked him.

After that, she snuck a glance at Roman beside her. His expression was tight with tension. In the dim light, the shadow in his eyes and the hard lines of his face made her flinch.

Startled, Vivienne blurted, "Roman—"

But he cut her off with an icy "Pull over".

The driver eased the car toward the curb.

Roman kept his face blank as he looked at her. "I have to get back to the office. Go back on your—"

Before he finished, Vivienne grabbed his tie, yanked him close, and kissed him.

Roman went rigid.

A long beat later, he came back to himself and pushed her away. "Vivienne, if you're doing this for Johnny—"

"I'm not doing it for him," Vivienne said, her voice steady.

Roman started to speak, then he thought better of it. He searched her face for a hint of a lie but didn't see one.

Vivienne knew he didn't believe her. After all, she'd hurt him too many times because of Johnny.

She blinked and slid her arms around his neck. "You probably think I'm lying. It's okay. We have time. I'll show you how much I care about you."

She pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Roman had no idea what game Vivienne was playing, but in that moment, he wished she would keep up the lie forever.

They returned to Northcrest Villa.

The second they walked in, Roman went straight to the study and buried himself in work. Vivienne slipped into her room without interrupting him.

The sight of Johnny's gifts scattered around the room made her nauseous. She used to think those sweet gestures meant love. She never realized they were bait, and she had been foolish enough to take it.

Vivienne pulled out a suitcase and started shoving everything inside.

Meanwhile, Edmund Brock, the butler, carried a cup of coffee into the study.

He was about to leave when Roman stopped him. "What's she doing?"

It was obvious who he meant.

Edmund paused, then answered honestly, "Ms. Quinn is packing a suitcase."

Roman's hand stilled. He looked composed, but inside, he was a mess. "We have time" kept looping in his head, and he couldn't tell whether she meant it or was just saying it so she could bolt.

His thoughts were a mess. Eventually, he got up and headed for Vivienne's room. He'd barely reached the doorway when he heard Kaitlyn's voice.

"Vivi, why aren't you answering Johnny's calls? He's losing his mind."

"What is it?"

Her flat tone caught Kaitlyn off guard, but she kept going. "Johnny knows Roman will never agree to you marrying him, so he's already at the airport waiting for you. Go meet him and get out of here."

Kaitlyn's voice set Vivienne's hackles up.

In her last life, Vivienne treated Kaitlyn like family, thinking Kaitlyn genuinely wanted her happy when Kaitlyn pushed her toward Johnny.

But Johnny was actually Kaitlyn's boyfriend, and she had pushed him toward Vivienne just to get at Vivienne's inheritance.

Upon remembering how Kaitlyn and Johnny played her for a fool, Vivienne's gaze hardened. With this second chance, she wouldn't let either of them lay a hand on her or on Roman again.

"Is Johnny planning to run off with me?" Vivienne asked.

Right then, a figure slid into her peripheral vision. She jerked, nearly dropping the phone.

"S-Roman…"