Chapter 878

The kiss was deep and passionate, melting their very souls together.

Vivian's legs trembled weakly. Without Ethan's strong arms supporting her, she would have collapsed onto the floor.

Ethan had always surprised her with sudden kisses before. Though Vivian protested verbally, she never truly pushed him away.

But this time, Ethan kissed her with heartbreaking tenderness, pouring all his longing into that single moment.

When their lips finally parted, an unmistakable sorrow flickered in Ethan's eyes.

"Vivian..." His voice was barely audible.

His thumb brushed lightly over her slightly swollen lips as he rasped, "I'm sorry."

All the reproaches Vivian had prepared died in her throat at his apology.

"A bet's a bet. I keep my promises." She steadied her breathing. "Can we go home now?"

"Alright." Ethan nodded.

From the mall to the parking lot, Ethan never loosened his grip on her hand, as if she might vanish the moment he let go.

In his other hand, he carefully cradled the sparrow plushie Vivian had won for him.

Time slipped through their fingers like sand. The second day was ending far too quickly.

At least tonight, he could still hold her in his arms.

Ethan knew these fleeting moments of happiness were stolen against fate's will.

...

The black Maybach glided into the residential area.

Warm light spilled from Vivian's apartment window in the distance.

"That's odd. I remember turning off the lights this morning." Vivian frowned. "Did Finn come back?"

But Finn was still overseas on a mission. He'd texted her just this morning.

As the car parked, Ethan suddenly called out, "Vivian!"

"What now?" She turned to look.

Ethan stubbornly extended his hand. "Hold hands."

"We're at the doorstep already..."

"That's what couples do." He seized her hand without waiting for permission.

Vivian rolled her eyes but allowed him to interlace their fingers.

The smart lock recognized Vivian's face. The moment the door clicked open, four shocked eyes met theirs.

"Vivian?!"

"Isabella? Lucas?" Vivian's eyes widened in disbelief.

Isabella rubbed her eyes and pinched Lucas's arm. "Am I seeing things?"

Lucas gasped. "It's really her."

Vivian's mind went blank.

This was it.

Her secret was out.

Ethan had used her phone to respond to everyone's messages before. When she got it back, she couldn't be bothered to explain.

She'd planned to disappear quietly. Now her carefully constructed lie had crumbled at the worst possible moment.

And if these two found out Ethan had kidnapped her...

Vivian could already envision the bloodbath that would follow.