Chapter 951

Vivian Laurent sat by the bay window, lost in thought.

The sunlight streamed in beautifully, yet failed to pierce the chaos in her mind.

Ethan Roscente approached with a cashmere blanket and draped it gently over her shoulders. "It's getting cold. Don't catch a chill."

"I'm fine."

He took her slightly cold fingertips, frowning. "Your hands are freezing, yet you still insist you're not."

His warm palm enveloped hers as he murmured, "Someone like him isn't worth your thoughts."

"You know what I'm thinking about?" Vivian lifted her gaze.

Ethan's thumb brushed the back of her hand. "Zero, isn't it?"

"You considered him your closest friend, yet he betrayed that trust." His eyes darkened. "I envy the place he once held in your heart."

"But the Zero you knew no longer exists."

He leaned in abruptly, his nose nearly touching hers. "I'm not like them. I would never hurt you."

Vivian turned her face away. "Why should I believe you?"

"What could I possibly want from you?" He chuckled lowly. "At most, I'd want you—"

"To trick you into becoming Mrs. Roscente."

"Stop joking!" She pushed him, only to be pulled tighter into his embrace.

Ethan's hand rested on her slightly rounded abdomen. "Does the baby miss Daddy?"

A faint flutter pulsed against his palm.

His eyes lit up. "The baby just kicked me!"

"That means they dislike you." Vivian tried to pull back.

Ethan followed, pressing closer. "Should we get a paternity test after they're born?"

"You—!"

Vivian was speechless. She had fled to this secluded island to avoid him, yet he'd still found her.

"It's natural for babies to be shy around strangers." He kissed the top of her head. "Daddy will stay with you both every day from now on."

"Who said you could call yourself Daddy?"

Ethan's expression turned serious. "Vivian, I won't let you run away this time."

Sunlight cast shadows over his lashes as she saw the unwavering determination in his eyes—like starlight refusing to fade.