Chapter 338

The night was ink-black, the wind biting cold.

Ethan Roscente drove alone to Vivian Laurent's apartment building.

The entire complex stood dark, with only a few scattered lights still on.

He stood before her door, his hand hovering mid-air, hesitating.

His heart pounded violently, as if trying to escape his chest.

"Vivian..."

He whispered her name, the sound dissolving into the wind.

On the tenth attempt, his call finally connected.

"Ethan Roscente!" Vivian's voice was thick with sleep and irritation. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Three twenty-seven," he answered, staring at his watch.

Rustling sounds came through the phone as he pictured her struggling out of bed.

"Are you drunk again?" Her tone was sharp.

Ethan leaned against the cold wall, gazing up at her window.

"No."

"Then what's wrong with you?"

"I need to see you."

Silence filled the line.

He could hear her soft breathing and the sound of sheets shifting.

"You're at my door?" Her voice suddenly became alert.

"Yes."

"Go to hell."

The call ended abruptly.

Ethan stared at the darkened screen, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

This was the Vivian he knew.

He counted the seconds. In less than three minutes, the hallway lights flickered on.

The elevator's hum cut through the silent night.

When the doors opened, Vivian stood before him in fuzzy pajamas.

"Are you insane?" She glared at him.

Ethan drank in the sight of her face.

"I missed you."

Her hair was tousled, pillow creases still marking her cheek.

Arms crossed, she radiated impatience.

"Had your fill? Then get lost."

Ethan stepped forward suddenly.

Vivian instinctively retreated until her back met the door.

"What do you want?"

His gaze landed on the faint pink tingeing her earlobes.

"To confirm something."

"What?"

"If I really..." He paused. "Missed you this much."

Her lashes fluttered slightly.

"Psycho."

She turned to slam the door.

Ethan's hand shot out to stop it.

"You came looking for me at the club yesterday?"

Vivian froze.

"Who told you that?"

"Guessed." His voice softened. "Like I'm guessing now whether you'll let me in."

She gave a cold laugh.

"Wrong guess."

The door shut firmly in his face.

Ethan remained motionless.

Five minutes later, the door reopened.

Vivian threw out a blanket.

"Go be crazy somewhere else. Don't die on my doorstep."

The blanket landed at his feet.

Ethan picked it up, catching her lingering scent.

He smiled faintly.

"Goodnight, Vivian."