Ryan leaned against door frame of a study, staring at the screen of his table. The headline blink back at him: Soren black wood weds mysterious Maid. Rumours had circulated for day, but now it was confirmed. His step brother had married the made Vivienne.
He clenched his jaw.
Vivienne the quiet girl with fire in her eyes, who moved like poetry even when scrubbing the floors. Ever since she would arrive at the mansion, Ryan had noticed her. The way she avoided conversation, the way she always war emotions just behind her eyelashes. He had thought it harmless- his fascination. But now, seeing her name linked to saurons in every tabloid, it felt like betrayal.
But then something else happened.
That night before their engagement, he overheard them .
"..... Only a few days," soren was saying. " Just until she's gone ."
Ryan's heart thudded .
Contract marriage.
It was all fake.
A flicker of responsibility Stireed inside him. She wasn't soren's real wife. It was all a show- for their mother. Maybe..... He still had a chance.
The Next morning Ryan found Vivienne alone in the greenhouse. She was of lavender sweater, her hair tired loosely. She looked up at him with polite confusion.
" Ryan," she said , straight. " You need something?"
" I need five minutes," he said . " Please ".
She hesitated ,then nodded.
He stepped closer his voice quieter now. " I know the truth, Vivienne."
Her brows furrowed . " What truth?" .
" About the marriage. Its a contract, isn't it? You are not his real wife."
Vivienne froze .she said nothing.
" I have been watching you," he continued. " From the moment you arrived. I tried to ignore it, but I couldn't. I see you , Vivienne. Not as the maid . Not as some part of soren's act. But as the women I -"
He stopped himself.
" I want to give you a real life. A Real marriage. Not some like that need when the months are up."
Vivienne to a step back.
" Ryan..." She began, but he reached for her hand .
" Come with me . Be with me, Vivienne. This whole house, this name - it could be yours . Not as a servant . As my wife."
She pulled her hand away .
" No," she said , firm now . " You don't love me. You're in love with the idea of rescuing ,e. I don't need that . And I don't want you."
Pain flickered across Ryan's face . His jaw tightened.
" Is it Soren, then? You love him?"
" I didn't say that either," she replied.
" You belong with me ," he said , stepping closer . " You just don't see it yet."
Just then , from the doorway, Soren appeared.
He stopped , ees narrowing at the scene before him- Vivienne, cornered against the glass wall, and Ryan standing far too close.
" Step away from her," Soren said coldly .
Ryan turned to him . " So , the perfect husband arrives. How convenient ."
"I'll show you who she belongs to," he spat - and before anyone could react, he grabbed Vivienne and pulled her into a kiss.
It wasn't tender . It was forceful, desperate.
Vivienne's eyes widened , her hands pushing against his chest as she struggled to break free. The taste of salt and fury filled her mouth . It was not a kiss of love . It was a kiss of war .
Ryan brushing his lips over hers ...
Soren lunged forward , fists clenched.
He yanked Ryan backward , sending him crashing into a row of potted orchids.
" Don't you ever touch her again!" Soren growled , driving a punch into Ryan'sjaw.
Ryan stumbled but retaliated, swinging widly .
The two men crashed into the table , knocking over glass and earth , fists flying.
Vivienne cried out, trying to seperate them , but it was useless.
" You think you're better than me?" Ryan yelled , blood on his lips. " She doesn't even love you . She married you out of pity - for your dying mother!"
Soren' s eyes blazed .
" You think that gives you the right to force yourself on her?" He shouted.
Ryan wiped his mouth , panting.
" Everyone's going to know , Soren . About your little contract . About the lie . I'll tell the press. The board . You investers . Everything. Unless....."
He turned to Vivienne , a dark smirk curling.
" You leave with me . Come willingly , and I'll keep the secret."
Vivienne started at him , horrified.
"You'd blackmail our own brother?" She whispered.
" He's not my brother," Ryan snapped . " He never was ."
Silence fell.
Soren stood still, breathing hard , eyes never leaving Ryan.
" You can expose the contract ," she said coldly . " Ruin the family name . Go ahead . But don't ever think I would choose you- not after what you just did."
She turned to Soren.
" Tell them the truth if you must . I'll stand beside you."
Ryan's face twisted in rage .
Ryan's face twisted in rage .
" Then you're both fools ," he spat . " And you'll both fall."
He stormed out , slamming the greenhouse door so hard the glass trembled . For a long moment , neither Soren nor Vivienne spoke.
Then Soren turned to her .
"Iam sorry," he said quietly. " He had no right."
Vivienne nodded , still shaken . Her eyes brimmed with tears - but they didn't fall.
" I don't care what the world says," she whispered. " As long as you don't let go of my hand ."
Soren stepped closer , gently wrapping his arms around her .
" I never will."
And as the sun broke through the greenhouse glass , scattered golden light across the ruined orchids and torn petals , they stood together, two hearts stitched in silence - still healing , still uncertain , but no liner pretending.
For the first time she felt something about Soren . Might be she is developing some feelings over him...
Might be this will turn into something unexpected later ...