Chapter 3

3.

Looking at the two anxious men before her, she said calmly, "They're just photos. We can always take more."

"Since they're all burned, we'll just have to take new ones later. It's been a while since we've gone on vacation anyway,"

Eason suggested, taking the next best option.

Rhys quickly added, "This time we can bring Hannah. She's been saying she's never been on a real vacation."

At Rhys's words, Vivian let out another self-mocking laugh.

Eason and Rhys just assumed she agreed with the idea and breathed a sigh of relief.

As they started to walk further into the house, they noticed several boxes stacked in the living room that hadn't been there that morning.

"What's all this?" they asked in unison.

Vivian glanced over.

"Oh, I quit my job. I'm planning to find a new one."

Didn't she really like her job before?

The same question surfaced in both their minds.

Vivian was acting strangely today. For some reason, a sense of unease crept into Eason and Rhys's hearts.

Rhys opened his mouth to ask more, but a sudden ringing of a phone shattered the quiet.

Eason answered. Hannah's anxious and helpless voice came through the line.

"Eason, the power just went out at my place, and I'm so scared... What should I do?"

Hearing this, Rhys's expression changed. He quickly cut in before Eason could speak.

"Hannah, don't be scared! I'm on my way."

Eason's brow furrowed, his usually calm face showing clear signs of tension.

The thought of Hannah in potential danger made his heart tighten. He exchanged a look with Rhys, grabbed his car keys, and they both rushed out the door.

Vivian remained perfectly composed. After they left, she called her aunt Claire.

She had lived with her aunt Claire as a child, and Claire had always treated her like her own daughter.

Now that she was leaving, she had to say a proper goodbye.

Upon hearing that Vivian was going back to get married, Claire's voice was full of reluctance, but mostly surprise. "Vivi, do Eason and Rhys know about this?"

Vivian paused for a moment.

"They don't. Aunt Claire, please keep it a secret for me. I don't want any more drama."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line.

Claire sighed deeply.

"Well, I guess that makes sense. You've been their whole world since you were kids. Anyone could see how they felt about you. I always thought you'd end up marrying one of them. What a shame..."

Vivian smiled faintly. "It's not a shame. We just weren't right for each other."

Hearing this, Claire stopped trying to persuade her.

"Vivi, I knew you'd go home eventually, I just didn't think it would be so soon. I've watched you grow up. Come see me before you leave. If you go back to New York, who knows when we'll see each other again..."

Vivian smiled, her voice tinged with a playful affection.

"I will. I have some gifts for you too. I'll miss you so much."

After a few more words, Claire hung up.

Just as that call ended, another one came in.

It was the director from her company.

"Vivian, your last design project won the grand prize from the National Graphic Design Association on behalf of the company. The trophy just arrived, but you'd already left. I had your intern bring it to your house."

Just as he finished speaking, the doorbell rang.

Vivian hung up and opened the door to see Hannah standing there, holding the trophy.