Chapter 454

Emily Garnache pushed open the door to find Vivian Laurent staring blankly out the window.

"Mr. Roscente asked me to tell you he had urgent business," Emily said cautiously, studying Vivian's expression. "He said...he'll visit tomorrow."

Vivian's fingers tightened unconsciously around the curtain.

"I don't care if he comes." She turned her back to Emily. "He can stay away forever."

When Ethan Roscente returned to the mansion, the wall lamps still glowed in the living room.

Theo Evans curled on the sofa, his eyes swollen like peaches.

"Uncle Ethan!" The boy threw himself into Ethan's arms, voice trembling. "I miss Mommy...Can we go to her house?"

Ethan frowned, noticing Theo's shaking.

Sophia Evans' threat still echoed in the child's ears: "Disobey me, and I'll throw you in the river!"

Theo clutched Ethan's sleeve desperately. The bruises from his mother's last beating still burned beneath his clothes.

"How about the amusement park tomorrow?" Ethan wiped Theo's tears. "You'll meet your new aunt."

Theo shook his head violently.

"I want Mommy!" His wails tore through the room. "Don't you want me either?"

Ethan's chest tightened. He recalled Vivian's icy gaze, then looked down at the sobbing child in his arms.

"Alright." He sighed in resignation. "We'll see Mommy tomorrow."

Theo buried his face in Ethan's shoulder, tears soaking the expensive suit. He couldn't mention the cigarette burns. Just like he hid the bruise ointment in his backpack.