I Married His Rival, and He Lost His Mind2 / 3

Chapter 2

His thumb caressed her swollen lips, his voice low and magnetic.

Water droplets slid down his collarbone, his shirt casually rolled up to reveal well-defined arms.

Vivian turned her head away. "Get away from me."

Elias smirked, seemingly in a good mood. "Want me to carry you to the shower?"

But just as he spoke, his phone buzzed with a text.

Even though he quickly turned off the screen, Vivian saw it was from Lily.

【Elias, it's thundering. I'm so scared!】

Elias’s brow furrowed slightly. He turned to Vivian. "Something came up at the office. I have to go."

Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed his jacket and strode out.

The moment the door clicked shut, a loud crash echoed outside.

A bolt of lightning lit up the sky.

Vivian flinched, her body instantly tensing as her face went pale.

She was also afraid of thunder.

Once, when she was with Elias, a storm had terrified her so much she’d buried herself in his arms, clinging to him.

He had only laughed softly. "You're afraid of thunder?"

Now, Lily was afraid of thunder, and he left without a second thought, his eyes filled with worry.

The difference between being loved and not being loved was painfully obvious.

Vivian's eyes filled with bitter irony.

Another clap of thunder exploded.

She curled into a tight ball, trembling.

Not long after, Lily sent a photo.

In the picture, Elias, the same man who could remain impassive even while they were having sex, was wrapping Lily in a blanket, gently patting her back to comfort her.

Vivian bit her lip so hard it could have bled and threw her phone to the floor.

As dawn approached, Vivian got up, changed, and returned to the Ashford family's estate in the Hamptons.

The moment she walked in, Richard shot her a disdainful look. "Where have you been? Look at the state of you."

"Does she ever make things easy for you?"

Vivian snorted. "You two should get your eyes checked―because you're completely blind to the kind of people you keep around you."

"Vivian!"

Richard slammed his hand on the table. "Watch your attitude!"

Just then, Lily's voice drifted in.

"Dad, don't be angry."

Vivian looked over and saw a smiling Lily, with Elias standing right beside her.

The man who claimed he had an urgent matter at the office was now holding Lily's coat and handbag like the perfect boyfriend.

Vivian turned her head, not wanting to see him at all.

"Why is Elias here?" Catherine asked.

"He's here to report on project progress to Richard," Elias replied, his expression neutral.

Lily smiled and sat down next to Richard. "Dad, what's for breakfast? I'm starving."

Richard immediately put on a loving expression. "It's all ready. Come, sit down and eat!"

Vivian glanced at the breakfast spread on the table.

Every dish was one of Lily's favorites―maple syrup pancakes, Greek yogurt with blueberries, soft-boiled eggs Benedict. Her own preferences were completely forgotten.

"Lily, have some fresh-squeezed orange juice for your vitamins."

"Lily, try these sunny-side-up eggs. I made them for you myself."

Vivian watched the three of them acting like a happy family, a cold sneer forming in her heart.

"Vivian, why aren't you eating?" Lily asked with feigned innocence.

Before Vivian could answer, Lily picked up a steaming peanut butter milkshake and handed it to her with a smile. "Have some of this."

"I don't want it. Take it away," Vivian said with a frown.

But Lily insisted, pushing the glass closer. "Just try a sip, it's really good."

"I said no!" Vivian raised her hand to block it, but Lily's hand suddenly "trembled."

The scalding hot milkshake spilled out, splashing all over the back of Vivian's hand.

"Ah!"

Before Vivian could even react, Lily let out a sharp scream, and the glass shattered on the floor.

"Lily!"