Ch. 111..120
Never Late, Never Away Chapter 111
A corner of Vivian’s mouth quirked up. “Why are we even talking about this? It’s all history now. There’s no point for us to have this discussion anymore.”
She stood up and was ready to leave as she did not want to talk to Fabian anymore.
Yet, Fabian was not ready to let her go. He went up and grabbed her by the wrist.
“You and I still have a lot to talk about.” Fabian stared at her, and this time he did not look away. “You protected me from the attack. This shows you still have feelings for me!”
Vivian’s body could not help but shudder ever so slightly, but she quickly managed to calm herself down.
She looked at Fabian, who was standing beside her. She saw from his beautiful eyes remorse and saudade. The feelings were so intense that Vivian dared not look at them directly.
“I think you’ve mistaken,” she said in a suppressed voice, “All I did was to pull the man away from you, that’s all.”
“What’s the difference? You still care about me, don’t you?” Fabian growled.
“I saved you because I…” Vivian’s eyelashes fluttered, but she tried to explain it in a steady voice, “Because I want to repay your kindness.”
Fabian froze momentarily. “What do you mean?”
“You’re the one who helped me secure the scholarship and job opportunities, right?” Vivian said softly. Upon seeing Fabian’s sudden change of expression, she knew her guess was right. “This is why I’m still grateful to you, though you didn’t trust me and even lied to me. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to complete my university studies.”
Had she not graduated from university, it would be impossible for her to land a job in any magazine company. She would also not be able to afford her mother’s medical expenses.
Despite all that had happened, Vivian was sincerely grateful to Fabian.
“What do you mean?” It was Fabian’s face going pale this time. “You rescued me just because I’ve helped you in the past?”
It hurt Vivian to see the disappointment in Fabian’s eyes.
She did not rescue Fabian just because she wanted to repay his kindness.
At that critical moment, she did not even have the time to think; she simply stepped forth and rescued him. It was an instinctive act.
After all, Fabian was the man she had once loved, and she could not bear to see him in danger.
But he doesn’t need to know all this.
Instead of explaining herself, she answered in a nonchalant manner, “Yes.”
Fabian turned ashen-faced completely, but he was not willing to accept her explanation. He tightened his grip on Vivian. “You don’t have any feelings for me? I don’t believe you!”
Vivian could no longer contain her frustration as she was in so much pain, and she bellowed, “Who are you to question me?”
Fabian was taken aback and released her from his grip at once.
She’s right. Who am I to question her?
I shamed her and made her a laughing stock. Who am I to ask her for forgiveness, or force her to admit she still has feelings for me?
Vivian massaged her wrist and said aloofly, “Remember what I told you two years ago? I said I’ll never forgive you even if you find out the truth and apologize to me.”
Fabian trembled. He did recall what Vivian said to him when he humiliated her.
“I’m sorry. I…” He wanted to apologize to her, but Vivian interrupted him.
“Save your apologies. I’ll never forgive you.” She looked into Fabian’s eyes. “Whether you’re sorry that you’ve lied to me about your family, for not having faith in me, or even for insulting me, I won’t forgive you.”
Vivian meant every word she said.
She did not want Fabian to get hurt and she truly wanted to repay his kindness, but this did not mean she would let bygones be bygones and forget about how badly he had treated her.
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No one had hurt Vivian’s feelings the way Fabian did. She refused to forgive him and did not want to be associated with him anymore.
She just wanted him to stay away from her.
Upon hearing those words, Fabian froze.
Meanwhile, Vivian walked out of the office without hesitation.
…
Over at Ringsby Mall, the largest shopping mall in the city, Shannon carried her purse and stormed past all the branded outlets in anger.
Damn you, Vivian! How can everyone believe you and sympathize with you? Are they blind? B*tch!
She was so mad that she wished she could splurge on some luxury handbags. Yet, with her salary, she could never afford them.
This made her angrier!
It’s not fair!
I have to save money for months to buy myself an expensive handbag, but Vivian can get what she wants by winking at those rich b*stards!
When Shannon’s resentment was still clouding her thoughts, all of a sudden she heard a few girls giggling right behind.
“You look great in that dress, Ashley. Fabian is so lucky to marry someone as pretty as you.”
Fabian?
Shannon was stunned for a bit. She gradually turned around and saw a young and gorgeous woman trying on an expensive dress. A group of ladies surrounded her and complimented her looks.
With her striking appearance, Shannon instantly recognized her as Fabian’s fiancée because she had visited him in his office before. Her name is Ashley?
Upon seeing all the luxurious accessories Ashley carried with her, Shannon got a little jealous. Instead of letting her envy get the better of her, Shannon had a better idea.
Since I can’t take Vivian down myself, perhaps Ashley can!
She mustered up her courage and approached her. “Hi there, are you Mr. Norton’s fiancée?”
Ashley, who was admiring her own look in the mirror, turned around and looked at her.
The moment she saw Shannon’s counterfeit handbag, she immediately lost interest in the person. Nonetheless, she still answered politely, “You mean Fabian Norton? Yes, I am his fiancée.”
“That’s why I thought you look familiar.” Shannon acted as if she was pleased to meet her. “I’m an employee from Glamour Magazine and I remember seeing you in the office.”
Though Ashley had no clue why Shannon came up to her, she still nodded out of politeness.
“I know this is a little awkward, but… there’s something I wish to tell you because I think you deserve to know the truth,” Shannon said sheepishly.
Ashley knitted her brows. “What is it?”
“It’s about Mr. Norton and Vivian William.”
Ashley’s expression immediately changed.
She gave Shannon a sullen stare and turned to her female friends. “Wait for me at the café. I’ll come and meet you after this.”
These ladies were Ashley’s entourage. They immediately nodded and walked away.
Once they had left, Ashley put on a deadpan expression and looked at Shannon. “What do you want to tell me?”
…
Vivian finally punched out after spending a long day in the office. At the subway station, she instinctively boarded the train to the Norton residence, but halfway through the journey, she remembered she was supposed to pick her mother up from the hospital. She immediately switched trains and went to the hospital.
Once they got home, Vivian clumsily tidied up the house and ordered some plain dishes for takeaway from a restaurant downstairs. It was already 9 p.m. by the time she settled everything, and it was at this point that she remembered she had forgotten to inform Finnick that she would be staying with her mom tonight.
She decided to text him anyway, even though Finnick might not even care to know where she was.
After that, Vivian helped her mother up to the dining table.
Vivian did not know her text message had affected Finnick, who was attending a meeting. Upon receiving her text, his mood instantly changed for the worse.
The financial department director, who was conducting a briefing on the company’s quarterly earnings, broke into a cold sweat after seeing a drastic change on Finnick’s face.
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Is there something wrong with my numbers? But our company did exceptionally well in this quarter!
As the director continued to reveal the details of the financial report, he could not help but start wiping droplets of sweat off his face. “Mr. Norton, is there a problem with the report?”
He did not get a response.
Finnick just nodded randomly and did not even pay attention to his report. All this while, his attention was on the screen of his phone.
Or more precisely, he was staring at Vivian’s text message on his phone: Hi, I’ll be staying with my mom in my house since she has just been discharged from the hospital.
The text message was so formally written that a vortex of anger swirled inside him.
Her house?
Is she trying to draw a line between us?
This woman is absolutely capable of provoking me!
Finnick’s silent treatment made everyone in the meeting room nervous. Even the most experienced members of senior management began to tremble because they were afraid that he was not pleased with the results.
Minutes ticked by, and everyone was already sweating buckets. All of a sudden, Finnick raised his head.
Just as the company executives thought he was about to comment on the company’s performance, he said, “Let’s call it a day. We’ll continue tomorrow.”
Finnick did not notice how shocked everyone was, and left the meeting room in his wheelchair.
Noah, who was just as dumbfounded, picked up his pace and ran after Finnick.
“Is everything alright, Mr. Norton?” Noah finally caught up with him. “Did an earthquake happen in J Nation and affect our nuclear plant? Or did a tornado hit our power plant in A Nation?”
Noah believed something disastrous must have happened; otherwise, Finnick would not have ended the meeting so abruptly.
Finnick stopped his wheelchair, tilted his head, and gave Noah a cold stare. “Go and find out where Vivian lives. I mean, where her mother lives.”
“Ms. William’s mother?” Noah was confused for a moment.
Finnick ignored his question and wheeled himself away. “Let’s go and pay them a visit when you find out where she lives.”
…
Meanwhile, Vivian was in her house, cautiously feeding Rachel dinner. She still had no idea her text message had enraged Finnick.
She bought plain porridge and soup for Rachel, but they were so cold and tasteless that Rachel refused to eat them.
Vivian immediately wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “I’ll go and buy something else for you.”
She then put on a coat and was ready to leave.
Rachel frowned. “It’s almost 10 p.m. now. Where are you going to get food at this hour?”
“I still have to get something for you to eat. If I can’t find a restaurant, I’ll just grab something from the supermarket.”
With that, she walked out of the house.
Vivian headed downstairs and started counting the money she had in her pouch. All of a sudden, a car with a pair of bright spotlights appeared.
She lifted her hands to protect her eyes from the light. A few seconds later, she saw a black Bentley approaching her.
Vivian froze.
Isn’t this…
The house Vivian rented was located in an ordinary neighborhood in Sunshine City. Hence, it was highly unusual to see a Bentley here.
Before she could react, the car door suddenly opened automatically and a familiar wheelchair appeared before her eyes.
Vivian could not believe her eyes when she saw Finnick came up to her in his wheelchair. She stuttered, “What… what are you doing here?”
Finnick took a glance at her from her head to her feet. Vivian wore her pajamas on the inside and covered herself with a jacket. She had a pair of flip-flops on, and she tied her hair into a messy bun. Though she might appear a little sloppy, Finnick thought she still looked adorable.
But the moment he remembered her text message, he immediately put on a serious look and asked, “Why did you come back?”
Vivian did not expect Finnick to come all the way just to ask her this question. She decided to tell him her half-truth. “My mom was discharged from the hospital today, so I came back to take care of her.”
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A line formed between Finnick’s brows but he decided not to pursue the matter. “Where are you going at this hour?”
“To buy dinner for my mom.”
“Dinner? At this hour?” Finnick frowned. “You won’t be able to find a restaurant at this time.”
“I guess I’ll just have to buy something from the supermarket then.” Since there’s nothing at home, I’ll buy some ingredients and cook something simple for her.
Finnick looked at Vivian and did not know what to say.
At times, she presented herself as a tough woman, but more often than not she’s just a girl who has no clue about anything in the world. She can’t even take care of herself; how can she look after her mom?
“Noah.” Finnick suddenly called. “Go to a nearby hotel and ask their kitchen to cook something.”
Vivian was taken aback and immediately stopped him. “It’s fine, I’ll cook myself.”
“It’s past 10 o’clock. You want your mom to wait for you to cook?” Finnick raised his brows. “Don’t forget she is still unwell.”
Vivian was at a loss for words after hearing what he said.
She knew it was late, but since she was all alone by herself, she could only do one thing at a time.
Instead of putting on a tough front, she decided to give in for the sake of her mother. She accepted his offer in a soft voice, “Thanks.”
Finnick’s expression finally lightened up a little. “Come on, let’s get back to your house.”
“You want to come to my place?” Once again, Vivian hesitated.
“Unless you don’t want me to?” Finnick looked at the woman who got nervous all of sudden. “You expect me to stand here and wait for Noah?”
Vivian’s face blushed right away and ushered him into the building.
After stepping out of the elevator, Vivian opened the door for Finnick to enter. He was surprised to see how disorganized the house was.
“So sorry for the mess. I just came back and didn’t have time to clean the house.” Vivian was thoroughly embarrassed that she started putting things away.
Yet, every time she tried picking something up with her hand, she would feel pain in her wound. “Ouch.”
Upon noticing Vivian’s grimace, Finnick frowned and stood up from his wheelchair. “Let me.”
How can I ask him to clean my house for me? Vivian stopped him by waving her hand in the air. “It’s fine. I might be a little slow, but I can do this myself.”
“Stop it.” Finnick grabbed her by the wrist and made her sit on the couch.
Don’t you dare act tough in front of me.
Vivian froze at his order. She sat still on the couch and watched him clean up the house.
It was clear that the man before her had never done house chores before.
Whether it was cleaning up the rubbish or doing the dishes, he was like a bull in a china shop. His expensive branded shirt was all wet.
“Hey…” Vivian could not bear to see how disheveled he had become. “Just let me do it, okay?”
“No.” Finnick mumbled while wiping the coffee table.
She could not help but press her lips after seeing how clumsy he was.
Though Finnick was not adept at doing house chores, Vivian still found him to be rather attractive. After all, he was a tall and good-looking man.
Initially, she was very touched by his thoughtfulness, but soon, she remembered something that made her feeling vanish into thin air.
She remembered why she left the Norton residence.
All because of his necklace. And also how messed up her heart was.
She instantly looked away and decided not to focus on Finnick anymore.
Enough with your nonsense, Vivian William. This prince charming will never be yours. Stop dreaming.
While Finnick was tidying up the house, a frail voice emerged from the room, “Someone’s here?”
Vivian was taken aback at first but soon realized it was Rachel who had woken up from her nap.
To prevent Rachel from seeing Finnick walking around the house, she immediately went to her room.
“Did I wake you up?” Vivian saw that Rachel was already sitting upright on her bed, and walked over. “I’ve asked someone to buy food for you. You can have your dinner soon.”
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Rachel heard noises in the living room and frowned. “Who’s here?”
Vivian replied in an awkward manner, “Finnick’s here.”
“Your husband?” Rachel’s expression changed. “He came here to look for you? What is he doing outside?”
Vivian did not know how to answer her. “He is cleaning the house for me.”
Rachel was dumbfounded.
Her eyes glistened for a second, and then whispered, “I don’t want to nag anymore, but you’d better make sure you know what you’re doing.”
Of course, Vivian knew what Rachel was talking about. She inched closer and held her hands. “Don’t worry, Mom. I know what I’m doing.”
She did not just say that to appease Rachel. She said that as a reminder for herself.
I cannot fall in love with him. I won’t allow that to happen.
Rachel gazed into her eyes and said sincerely, “I believe you.”
Vivian responded with a grin and left the room.
She noticed Finnick had finished cleaning the house. He stood there with a wet cloth in his hand and a smug smile on his face. “What do you think? Not bad, huh?”
Vivian could not help but chuckle at how confident he was.
Who would expect Mr. Finnick Norton to be so proud of his little achievement here? He was the same man who would not even bother to celebrate after closing the business deal of the year!
“You did great,” she praised, “Thank you.”
While they were having this conversation, Noah arrived. Vivian then opened the door for him to come in.
Noah got the shock of his life when he saw Finnick holding a wet cloth in his hand. Instead of making any remarks that might offend him, he decided to keep mum and place the food on the table.
After helping Rachel finish her dinner, Vivian also ate something simple to stop her hunger pangs. It was already 11 p.m.
Vivian looked at Finnick and Noah after she cleaned up the table. “Thank you so much for today. It’s getting late now. Drive safe.”
“You’re welcome,” Noah responded with a smile and was ready to leave.
But it seems that Finnick, who was sitting on a chair beside Noah, had no intention of getting back into his wheelchair.
Noah was confused. “Mr. Norton?”
“You go back first,” Finnick said, “I’ll stay here tonight.”
Stay here?
Vivian’s eyes widened; she looked at him in disbelief.
Noah was equally shocked, but like what a professional personal assistant would do, he regained his composure in the blink of an eye. “Alright, Sir. I’ll come and fetch you tomorrow. I’ll bring fresh clothes for you to change into as well.”
Noah then left the house.
“Wait a second, Noah!” Vivian panicked, but Noah was already nowhere to be seen. She then turned her attention to Finnick. “Are you sure you’re going to sleep here?”
The man raised his brows and questioned her, “Do you have a problem?”
“I mean, you’re welcome to stay, but…” Vivian got even more anxious upon seeing how serious he was. “But we only have two rooms in this house.”
“I’ll sleep in your room,” Finnick said without hesitation, “You have a problem with that?”
Vivian’s face flushed red instantly.
Back in the villa, the bed she shared with Finnick was much larger. The bed in her room here, however, was tiny. If we were to sleep on that small bed…
She dared not think further.
If he’s going to be here for the night, why did I leave the villa in the first place?
“But my house is so shabby. I’m afraid you won’t sleep well.” Vivian continued to find an excuse to get rid of him.
“I’ll be fine.” Finnick’s forehead furrowed. “It’s not an issue for me.”
By now Vivian had run out of ideas. She stared at him for a bit and eventually gave in. “Alright, then. I’ll go and take a shower now.”
Finnick responded a baffling smile, “Okay.”
Vivian excused herself and went into the bathroom. As she was about to turn on the shower, she suddenly thought of another problem.
Her house only had a very simple shower but not a bathtub. This had become a problem for her because her right hand was injured. Using a shower would cause her to wet her wound.
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Despite having a headache, she took her clothes off and turned on the tap. Turning her body, she carefully showered.
However, she was never great with motor skills or balance, and her face ended up scrunching up in pain when she accidentally wet her wound. Lifting her arm higher, she slammed into the bathroom door instead and immense pain shot through her arm.
“Ouch!” she yelped, and within seconds she heard a flurry of footsteps outside.
Worried, Finnick called out to her, “Vivian, are you alright?”
“I’m fine…” Vivian tried to reply in a hurry, but she was in too much pain that her voice shook. She did not sound fine at all.
As a result, Finnick anxiously responded, “Give me a minute. I’ll come in.”
Vivian panicked and insisted, “I’m alright, and you don’t have to…”
Bang! Before she could complete her sentence, she heard the bathroom door open.
The lock on the bathroom door had long been out of order, so it could easily be opened when Finnick gave it a push.
Once he entered the bathroom, he saw Vivian raising one arm while frantically trying to pull up her bath towel to cover herself with her other arm. In her hurry, she even forgot to turn off the showerhead, and water was about to cascade on her wound.
This woman is so careless!
Looking at how she seemed to be tormenting herself, Finnick could not help but feel angry. Instantly, he went forward to embrace her before turning the showerhead off.
“You are so stupid, Vivian,” he chided. Then, he grabbed her arm and scanned her wound. As expected, it was inflamed, making him more frustrated. “With a showerhead like this at your house, how can you bathe alone?”
Vivian failed to pay attention to his scolding.
His thin shirt was the only thing between them, and all she could think about was how close they were. Besides, his shirt was now drenched because of her, and it clung to their bodies.
She could even feel his chest muscles and washboard abs against her…
Her brain felt like exploding.
Noticing that Vivian was quiet even after he spoke, Finnick frowned and looked at her.
With a glance, he finally noticed her standing stiffly in his arms while her face was as red as a tomato.
He was dumbfounded. He was so worried for her previously that he did not notice the position they were standing in.
Her fair skin was slightly red from the elevated temperature in the bathroom, and there were still water droplets dripping off her body. Although it was not the first time he had seen her naked, he felt more attracted to her each time he saw her like this.
Not only so, but since her body was so close to his, it was also a greater hurdle for him this time. Without looking down, he could already feel all her curves.
In that instant, he felt his body burning up.
Vivian, who was already flustered, blushed more when she felt the changes in Finnick’s body. Instinctively, she struggled. “Finnick, let go of me…”
Little did she know that her movements were nothing to Finnick. It was as though she was tickling him instead of refusing him, which tempted him even more.
Without thinking, he pushed Vivian against the wall.
The distance between them instantly disappeared, and they could even feel each other’s chests as they breathed.
“Finnick, what…do you want…” Unable to get out of his grasp, Vivian whimpered as she looked at him with a panic expression on her face.
Finnick did not know what got over him, but her whimpers almost took away all his willpower.
Abruptly, he bowed his head as his fingers slowly traced across her waist. Feeling goosebumps, she shuddered. “What do you think I’m doing?” he groaned.
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His low voice sounded sexier than usual, causing Vivian’s body to heat up, too. She stuttered, “No… don’t…”
“Why not?” Finnick lowered himself to nibble on her earlobe and whispered, “You said okay the last time.”
His breath tickled Vivian’s ear and his teasing almost succeeded in persuading her. However, her last shred of rationality still told her not to do it.
No way.
Nothing can happen between us.
Previously in the Norton residence, she did give Finnick permission. Despite so, she felt differently about it now.
She agreed then since they were already married, she did not mind having a child with him even though it was a loveless marriage. After all, that was also her duty as his wife.
Now, she could no longer make a calm decision without being influenced by her emotions.
She realized now that she might have feelings for him——feelings she shouldn’t have. Vivian did not dare to give herself to him in light of this revelation, lest she fell in love with him and would not bear to leave him in the future.
With that thought, she desperately pushed him aside and reasoned, “My mom is at home, too, so it isn’t a good idea…”
Finnick lowered his gaze and hazily glanced into Vivian’s clear eyes. It was like a wake-up call to him.
Nothing was more disappointing than having one person lost in his lustful desires while the other remaining logical and rejecting his moves.
Thinking Vivian was still not ready as a result of what happened two years ago, Finnick stepped back to give her some space.
He never expected he would be so deprived to this point, having to endure and control his lust time and time again.
Especially when it came to this woman, whom he always found so attractive.
Forget it.
Since she is injured, I will let it go.
That did not mean that he was going to let her go physically. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her waist again. While she stared at him in surprise, he assured her, “Don’t worry, I am not going to force you. I only want to help you shower.”
With that kind of showerhead, how can she keep her wound dry alone?
Blushing, Vivian rejected, “It’s alright. I will wipe myself instead.”
Having said that, she turned to escape, but Finnick held onto her, refusing to let her leave.
“Why are you so shy? After all, I have already seen you naked,” he casually stated as he took down the showerhead. “There’s no need to worry about me because I still have some self-control.”
In the next moment, he started helping her to shower.
Knowing how stubborn he was, Vivian was sure there was no use rejecting him. She could only stand stiffly in place while he helped her wash up.
Much to her dismay, as Finnick’s hand grazed along her skin, that warm and slightly rough sensation sent countless electric currents through her body. She used everything in her power to hold herself back and not tremble.
Speaking of endurance, Finnick had it even tougher.
Although he had told her that he could control himself, he realized that self-restraint was almost impossible before Vivian.
He already gave her his word, however, so he could only grit his teeth and keep holding himself back.
After painfully helping her bathe, it was finally time to dry her.
Sensing his seriousness in performing the task at hand, Vivian fell into a daze.
She could not remember the last time someone gave her a bath like that.
I was probably very young when Mom used to shower me. As I grew older, she became busier with work and I started to take care of myself.
Who would have thought that after so many years of being independent, someone else would appear in my life when I’m injured, feeding me, cleaning me, and even bathing me?
She felt like she was being compensated for all the love she had long been deprived of.
More significantly, this person was someone with high social status who had never cared for others before.
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Vivian’s heart softened, and she was touched.
She closed her eyes so that her emotion could not be read.
Finnick…
Why are you so nice to me?
I’m afraid…I might end up falling for you…
After her shower, Vivian and Finnick returned to the living room. Feeling bad that Finnick was soaked from head to toe, she went to her closet and picked out some larger-sized sports clothes for him. But before she gave him the clothes she cautiously asked again, “Are you sure you want to stay here with me?”
“Of course,” Finnick replied casually and took the clothes from Vivian’s hands, “Don’t you have to take care of your mother? How are you supposed to do that when you are injured? Given so, I think I should stay here to take care of both of you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Vivian insisted as she did not want him to stay. “I can do it alone.”
“You can do it alone?” Finnick raised his brows. “You needed my help to bathe. Are you sure you can do it alone?”
His words only made Vivian think about the incident in the bathroom. Instantly, she turned red and forgot to rebut his words.
Soon after, she heard Finnick’s soft chuckle as he headed to the bathroom with her clothes.
Vivian suddenly grew frustrated. She felt like he had led her on, and that she seemed to have given him her silent consent to stay for the night.
Before stepping into the bathroom, Finnick suddenly thought of an idea and said, “If you don’t want me to stay here, you can simply follow me home instead.”
With that, he went in.
Finnick had to take a cold bath to overcome the urge burning within him.
When he returned to the bedroom, he saw Vivian lying on the bed.
It was small, and she was curled up in a corner. After entering the bedroom, Finnick could not stand it anymore and hugged Vivian by wrapping his arm around her waist.
“Why are you hiding?” he whispered beside her ear, “Isn’t it more spacious this way?”
Not long after, he turned the lights off and closed his eyes to sleep. After being tortured for an entire day, he was exhausted. The fragrance of Vivian’s hair gave him an inexplicable sense of comfort.
Well, this is one good thing about a smaller bed.
It did not take long for Finnick to fall asleep. While Vivian could hear his steady breathing, it took her ages to fall asleep in his arms.
Turning around slightly, she took in Finnick’s handsome features, down to the stubbles on his chin.
At that moment, she felt her heart beating more vigorously than usual.
Her eyes dimmed, and she closed her eyes in despair.
Vivian, you might as well admit that you have fallen for him.
I am hopelessly in love…
Although it was already midnight, many people in Sunshine City were still not asleep.
After Fabian finished work, he dragged his lethargic body back to the place he rented next to the magazine company.
He did not like to live at his family residence because he would have to face his father and grandpa. As such, he decided to rent an apartment instead.
The elevator doors opened. He was just about to step out when he saw a petite figure squatting in front of his unit.
He was taken aback and could not believe his eyes. “Ashley, is that you?”
It was indeed Ashley at his door.
Hearing his voice, Ashley raised her head to look at him. Her eyes were red from crying earlier, and she looked especially pitiful.
“Fabian, you are back,” she said in a pitiful voice, “I waited for you for a long time, and my calls to you never got through…”
“Why are you looking for me?” Fabian frowned and quickly helped her up. “I worked overtime and my phone battery died. Let’s talk inside.”
Upon entering the apartment, Ashley threw herself onto Fabian just after he closed the door.
Fabian stiffened and asked, “Ashley, what’s going on?”
With her tears already soaking his shirt, Ashley sobbed, “Fabian, will you ever leave me?”
She could not describe the panic she felt when she heard Shannon’s words.
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Shannon told her that Fabian, in front of everyone at the magazine company, questioned Vivian why she did not clarify that she had been set up years ago.
Ashley knew that Shannon said all these in hopes that she would teach Vivian a lesson. However, Shannon did not expect Ashley to turn white as a sheet.
Fabian knew that Vivian was being set up in the incident two years ago?
Does it mean that he’s trying to rekindle his love for her? Did he find out what I did?
In a moment of panic, Ashley could not be bothered with Shannon but immediately ran to Fabian’s house while calling him multiple times.
Not daring to raise the matter with Fabian, she tested the waters instead.
Surprised by her sudden question, Fabian paused momentarily before he responded, “Ashley, what on earth is going on?”
His avoidance to answer the question made her tremble more. In an attempt to hide it from him, she released him and forced a smile. “I’m fine… I was a little afraid since our wedding date is drawing close.”
That sentence reminded Fabian that they were getting married next month.
All of a sudden, he felt a sense of resistance.
His silence only made Ashley more frantic. She glanced at him and probed, “Fabian, you…you’re not thinking about calling off our wedding, are you?”
Snapping out of his daze, Fabian smiled and assured her, “Ashley, you are overthinking. I will not do that. Look, your arms and legs are so cold. Why don’t you take a shower first?”
He pushed her into the bathroom as he spoke.
Absentmindedly, Ashley went into the bathroom and plopped onto the toilet seat.
I’m doomed.
Fabian is starting to doubt me after finding out what happened to Vivian.
What other tricks could I still use against Vivian?
In the midst of her thoughts, her phone rang.
Looking down at the phone screen, she was surprised.
“Hello?” she answered the call immediately, “You don’t have to find that man I’ve asked you about. I’m already…”
Before she could complete her sentence, the words from the person on the other end of the call caused her expression to darken.
“What are you saying? How is it possible that the old man did not do it?” she screeched.
While Ashley was in the bathroom taking her bath, Fabian stood on the balcony and smoked until he unknowingly filled up the ashtray.
This is the first time in my life that I feel so much regret and sadness.
I regret not saying goodbye two years ago and then getting engaged to Ashley. But most of all, I regret insulting Vivian time and time again.
I am the one who pushed away the woman I love. Who am I to blame?
Now, Vivian has Finnick…
At that thought, he raised his cigarette and took a large puff.
Subconsciously, he thought about the time he gave Vivian’s photos to Finnick. Without thinking, Finnick chose to trust Vivian.
Perhaps he already did his own research and had already made his decision. Regardless, at least he has never hurt Vivian.
In contrast, I am so different from him. This frustrated Fabian even more.
Thinking about the photographs, he recalled that he has kept several pictures of Vivian on his phone.
Seeing those photos now would only make his heart ache, so he instantly pulled out his phone to delete them.
However, after deleting a few, he realized something.
Wait a minute.
These pictures…why do they seem different from the ones shown at the Norton family party?
Although he did not purposely try to remember everything about Vivian, everything about her was somehow vividly imprinted on his mind.
He could even recall the photos from the party.
Most of the photos were the same as those on his phone, but one of them was different——in which Vivian was lying on a pillow with her hair spread across it.
Fabian suddenly felt breathless.
Why…
Ashley said that the photos were from my phone. Yet, why did she have one more photo on the screen that’s not found on my phone?
Never Late, Never Away Chapter 120
Unless…
Fabian’s heart tightened with that thought, but before he could piece together the puzzle in his mind he suddenly heard a soft voice coming from behind him.
“Fabian?”
He was startled and turned to see Ashley looking at him timidly with her hair still wet.
She had a beautiful face that resembled Vivian’s, though she looked a little more seductive. For some reason, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine looking at her.
“Well… Ashley.” He subconsciously took a few steps back and said, “The magazine company just called. A situation popped up and I have to take care of it. You can go back to get some rest first.”
He rushed out of his apartment without even waiting for Ashley to reply.
“Fabian…” Ashley was dumbfounded. She wanted to chase after him but he was already out of the door.
Helplessly, she stood rooted to the ground.
It is already past midnight. Is he going to find Vivian?
At that thought, and recalling the news she had just heard on the phone, her face turned pale.
Not long ago, Ashley ordered an investigation to find the old man from two years ago. Yet, he confessed that he did not touch her, but that a mysterious man did.
What was even more shocking was that no one managed to find out who that man was. In other words, the mysterious man was much more powerful than she.
Who’s the man who took away Vivian’s virginity two years ago?
The next morning, when Vivian opened her eyes, she saw Finnick’s handsome face right in front of her.
Dazed, she stared at him for a while before realizing that they were this close because they were sleeping in the small bed in her house.
Alarmed, she quickly wanted to get out of bed, but Finnick’s arm weighed heavily over her. As though he felt her struggle, Finnick muttered without opening his eyes, “It’s only seven in the morning. Stop moving and go back to sleep.”
Vivian did not expect Finnick to be awake. She lay stiffly and motionlessly in bed. No matter how hard she tried, she could not fall back asleep.
Time passed slowly, and soon she broke out in a cold sweat from her nervousness. Finally, her alarm rang, and Finnick’s eyes opened. His gaze immediately fell on Vivian.
“Good morning, Vivian.” Finnick greeted her with his baritone voice which came with a bit of hoarseness, given it was the first thing he said after he woke up. Vivian’s heart skipped a beat.
She could not hide her blush as she stammered, “M-Morning.”
She then got up to prepare a clean towel and toothbrush for Finnick before helping her mom wash up. When she was done, Noah showed up with breakfast that Molly had prepared. Molly even made another portion just for Rachel.
As they ate, Vivian looked at the spread and whispered, “Actually, we don’t have to bother Molly like that.”
“We are not bothering her; we are just using a little more of her time.” Taking a scoop of soup, he commented, “With that being said, if you want to continue to stay here, I’m afraid Molly will have to do this every day.”
Surprised, Vivian asked, “Do you mean you are staying for another night?”
“I will, if you are,” Finnick replied casually, “I will get Molly to bring my pajamas over. After all, your clothes are too small for me.”
Vivian was speechless.
She finally realized how stubborn and demanding Finnick could be. Although he never raised his voice nor forced her to do anything, he always had a way to make her compromise.
I can never win against him.
“I get it.” She lowered her gaze and sighed. “I’ll go back tonight.”
The corners of Finnick’s lips lifted. “You can bring your mother over, too.”
“Forget it. My mom will feel uncomfortable,” Vivian rejected his offer.
“Well, I can get you a caretaker and maid,” Finnick insisted.
Knowing that she could not win the argument, Vivian could only nod in agreement.
After the meal, Finnick drove Vivian to work. Only then did she recall she had a meeting to attend that morning. Thus, once she arrived at her office building she headed directly to the meeting room.
She was surprised to find Fabian in the meeting room; he seemed to be preparing for the meeting alone.