Chapter 3

It took only five years to turn Cirrus’ profound love towards Vivian into downright hatred.Five years ago, on the day before their wedding, Cirrus' parents and Vivian’s father were killed in a car crash. To everyone's surprise, the culprit was Vivian's father.Later, her mother and uncle acquired all the Williams' possessions overnight. In this rough and cruel way, the two influential families in Hadale City were merged, and her uncle became the actual owner of all assets.The result was unexpected. In everyone's eyes, it was like a long-standing conspiracy that eventually unfolded that day and culminated in the Walkers' outright triumph.It all happened in a sudden. When Vivian realized what actually had happened, Cirrus screamed to split up with her and smashed all the glass bottles in front of her. The paper stars in the bottles scattered on the floor and got crushed by him mercilessly."Vivian Walker, get out of my sight! I don't want to see you again!" He stressed each syllable as he pointed at her nose, with his eyes reddened with rage.By then, Cirrus was 23 years old. He lost his parents and his family business; there was nothing left. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Vivian found herself pregnant.Cirrus's hatred scared Vivian. Afraid that he could not accept her pregnancy, she went abroad without leaving a note and gave birth to the child. She planned to explain to him when he calmed down, that she knew nothing about the "conspiracy", but things went beyond her expectations.What was worse, an accident during delivery resulted in the child being born with serious disease and having to stay in the ICU. Panicked, she decided to ask Cirrus for help, thinking that he would save the child. However, to her astonishment, she saw another woman leaning against his chest when she arrived at his office.That woman was Florence White.It was said that Florence had accompanied him through his darkest time.It was said that Cirrus regarded Florence as the light of his life and treasured her dearly.It was said that, with Florence's encouragement, he rose like a dark horse and elevated his business within merely two years to a level enough to compete with the Walkers.It was said that they were preparing for their wedding…However, it was Vivian who had the marriage license with Cirrus. Legally, Cirrus was married, and Vivian was his wife. Therefore, Florence could not be a rightful bride.During the four years of being Mrs. Williams, Vivian had been forced by Cirrus to sign the divorce settlement time and time again. But she refused it every time.She always thought that since they had once been in love, she could wait for the truth to be uncovered, and for him to come back to her. However, four years later, what came back to her was not him, but a notification of lung cancer.Memories crowded her head and caused a sudden stabbing pain in her chest. Again, Vivian was overcome by a terrible fit of coughing.This time, there was more blood. The crimson liquid spurted out of her mouth and stained the pure white sheet."What's wrong with you?" Cirrus noticed her quivering.Heart softened, she burst into tears. "Cirrus, I… I have something important to tell you. I'm sick…"Cirrus interrupted her with a sneer, "Don't tell me you're going to die, or I would celebrate it. If you die, I don't even need a divorce. A widower like me could marry Florence anytime."Vivian was too desperate to say a word.He asked, "What else do you want to say?"She shook her head. "Nothing."At this moment, Cirrus seemed to notice something on the sheet.Vivian scrambled to cover the red stain and pretended as if nothing had happened."What's that?" He walked over, threw her to another side, and studied the redness. "Is it blood?"Vivian bit her lip and clenched her fists to bear the twinge.Cirrus surveyed her with contempt, pointed at the blood and asked with sarcasm, "You even had your hymen repaired just for tonight?"

It took only five years to turn Cirrus’ profound love towards Vivian into downright hatred.

Five years ago, on the day before their wedding, Cirrus' parents and Vivian’s father were killed in a car crash. To everyone's surprise, the culprit was Vivian's father.

Later, her mother and uncle acquired all the Williams' possessions overnight. In this rough and cruel way, the two influential families in Hadale City were merged, and her uncle became the actual owner of all assets.

The result was unexpected. In everyone's eyes, it was like a long-standing conspiracy that eventually unfolded that day and culminated in the Walkers' outright triumph.

It all happened in a sudden. When Vivian realized what actually had happened, Cirrus screamed to split up with her and smashed all the glass bottles in front of her. The paper stars in the bottles scattered on the floor and got crushed by him mercilessly.

"Vivian Walker, get out of my sight! I don't want to see you again!" He stressed each syllable as he pointed at her nose, with his eyes reddened with rage.

By then, Cirrus was 23 years old. He lost his parents and his family business; there was nothing left. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Vivian found herself pregnant.

Cirrus's hatred scared Vivian. Afraid that he could not accept her pregnancy, she went abroad without leaving a note and gave birth to the child. She planned to explain to him when he calmed down, that she knew nothing about the "conspiracy", but things went beyond her expectations.

What was worse, an accident during delivery resulted in the child being born with serious disease and having to stay in the ICU. Panicked, she decided to ask Cirrus for help, thinking that he would save the child. However, to her astonishment, she saw another woman leaning against his chest when she arrived at his office.

That woman was Florence White.

It was said that Florence had accompanied him through his darkest time.

It was said that Cirrus regarded Florence as the light of his life and treasured her dearly.

It was said that, with Florence's encouragement, he rose like a dark horse and elevated his business within merely two years to a level enough to compete with the Walkers.

It was said that they were preparing for their wedding…

However, it was Vivian who had the marriage license with Cirrus. Legally, Cirrus was married, and Vivian was his wife. Therefore, Florence could not be a rightful bride.

During the four years of being Mrs. Williams, Vivian had been forced by Cirrus to sign the divorce settlement time and time again. But she refused it every time.

She always thought that since they had once been in love, she could wait for the truth to be uncovered, and for him to come back to her. However, four years later, what came back to her was not him, but a notification of lung cancer.

Memories crowded her head and caused a sudden stabbing pain in her chest. Again, Vivian was overcome by a terrible fit of coughing.

This time, there was more blood. The crimson liquid spurted out of her mouth and stained the pure white sheet.

"What's wrong with you?" Cirrus noticed her quivering.

Heart softened, she burst into tears. "Cirrus, I… I have something important to tell you. I'm sick…"

Cirrus interrupted her with a sneer, "Don't tell me you're going to die, or I would celebrate it. If you die, I don't even need a divorce. A widower like me could marry Florence anytime."

Vivian was too desperate to say a word.

He asked, "What else do you want to say?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

At this moment, Cirrus seemed to notice something on the sheet.

Vivian scrambled to cover the red stain and pretended as if nothing had happened.

"What's that?" He walked over, threw her to another side, and studied the redness.

"Is it blood?"

Vivian bit her lip and clenched her fists to bear the twinge.

Cirrus surveyed her with contempt, pointed at the blood and asked with sarcasm, "You even had your hymen repaired just for tonight?"