Chapter 5 It Will Soon Change

Moonlight filtered through the thin curtains in Vivian's apartment, casting long, silvery shadows across the room. Her eyes settled on the takeout container on her counter, untouched , Next to it, like a taunting reminder, sat his business card; Nicholas Keaton, Watson Industries. It was small, just a slip of paper, but the weight it carried in her life was crushing.

She took the food and put it in the freezer . Unease had been building inside her since she watched his car disappear into the night. She had thought she could handle this, that her mind was clear. But now, staring at that card, all she could feel was the heavy realization that she was walking a very dangerous line.

She crossed the room slowly, each step deliberate as if delaying the inevitable, and picked up the card. The letters were raised, cold beneath her fingers. Nicholas Keaton. The name alone sent a chill down her spine. In a way, it wasn't even his name she feared it was the control that came with it. The power he wielded, the strings he could pull. It was more than intimidating. It was suffocating.

She hadn't realized how lost she was in thought until she found herself back at the counter, gripping the edge. Closing her eyes, she let the memory wash over her, the ride in his car, the way he spoke as though their marriage was already signed, sealed, and delivered.

His confidence had been overwhelming, his words calculated, leaving her with no room to breathe, no space for protest. She had nodded along, playing the part of a willing fiancée. What choice did she have? In the span of a single evening, her life had been pulled from her hands and placed into his.

Vivian opened her eyes and stared at the card again. Her chest tightened as doubt crept in. Could I really go through with this? Marrying Nicholas wasn't a game, and there were no easy exits. His world was one of absolutes when he said there was no way out, he meant it. The thought of being tied to him, sharing his life, his bed... being manipulated and controlled at every turn. It made her stomach twist in knots.

But what choice did she have? I need this, she reminded herself, her grip on the card tightening. This was the only way to secure her inheritance, the only way to take back what was stolen from her by Evelyn and Kate. Those two were already circling, waiting for her to crumble. If she showed even a moment of weakness now, they'd tear her apart.

With a deep breath, she straightened her posture and forced her doubt aside. She couldn't afford second thoughts, not now. Tomorrow would be a new day. Tomorrow, she'd see Nicholas again. And tomorrow, she'd make sure the contract was signed.

****

At the Keaton estate, Kate's laughter echoed through the high ceilinged living room. She couldn't contain herself. Everything was falling into place just as she had planned. Draped across a velvet sofa, she twirled a strand of her dark hair, her mind already spinning with thoughts of what was to come.

Her mother, Evelyn, sat in an armchair across from her, sipping a glass of wine, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "I told you," Evelyn said, her voice smooth. "Nicholas won't be able to resist for much longer. His hesitation only means he's weighing his options. And tomorrow, when we meet with Elena, things will become clearer."

Kate grinned wickedly. "Mrs. Keaton practically adores me. Once she hears what we have to say, Nicholas will have no choice but to follow her lead. And Vivian?" Kate's smile widened. "Vivian will have to come running back, begging us for mercy."

Evelyn raised her glass in a mock toast. "She'll regret ever trying to stand in your way, darling. Mark my words."

Kate practically beamed with excitement, leaning back against the plush cushions. "And when Nicholas is finally mine, Vivian will be nothing more than a footnote."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Tomorrow's meeting with Elena is important. We can't afford any mistakes." Evelyn warned.

Kate waved off her mother's concern, her confidence unshaken. "I know what I'm doing, Mother. By the time this is over, Nicholas will be exactly where we want him."

****

The following morning, Vivian found herself standing before the gleaming glass towers of Watson Industries. The imposing structure seemed to mock her, its sleek, modern lines a symbol of the power Nicholas commanded. She took a shaky breath, her stomach a knot of nerves.

This wasn't just a building. It was his domain, his world. Everything here bent to his will, and now she was about to step into it, uninvited and unprepared. But she couldn't let fear stop her. She had come this far. There was no turning back.

With a deep breath, she pushed through the revolving doors, the polished marble floors of the lobby reflecting the morning sunlight. The space was a hive of activity employees rushing from one end to another, their footsteps echoing through the vast passage. No one seemed to notice her at first, and she felt a brief surge of relief. But as she approached the front desk, the pit in her stomach returned.

"Good morning," she said, her voice steady despite the tension she felt. The secretary behind the desk, a blonde woman with a sharp bob and an even sharper expression, glanced up without much interest.

"Name?" she asked, her fingers already moving over her keyboard.

"Vivian. Vivian Bowes"

The woman, Nancy, according to her nametag on her shirt paused, her brows knitting together as she glanced at the screen in front of her. "I don't see anything. You don't have an appointment."

Vivian's heart skipped a beat. "I don't need an appointment. Just tell Nicholas I'm here."

Nancy's eyes narrowed slightly, not liking the way Vivian called Nicholas as though they were close, taking in Vivian as though she were something unpleasant.

"No one sees Mr. Keaton without an appointment," she said coldly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other work to do."

Frustration bubbled in Vivian's chest. "He's expecting me."

Nancy rolled her eyes. "Right," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Now, if you don't leave, I'll have security escort you out."

Vivian clenched her jaw. She didn't have time for this. Without another word, she pulled out her phone and dialed Nicholas's number. It rang twice before he picked up.

"Vivian," his voice was low, smooth, and unmistakably in control.

"I'm downstairs," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. "Your secretary won't let me up."

There was a brief pause, then a low, amused chuckle. "I'll be right there."

Vivian hung up, shooting Nancy a look, The secretary, oblivious to the situation she'd just created, continued typing, clearly unbothered.

Moments later, the elevator doors across the lobby slid open, and Nicholas stepped out, his presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone around him. Conversations halted, employees turned to stare.

Nancy's face flushed as Nicholas strode toward the front desk, which didn't go unnoticed by Vivian, his gaze darkening with each step.

"Nicholas," Vivian started, but he silenced her with a look and turned to Nancy.

"Nancy," he said, his voice cold. "Who gave you permission to turn away my guests?"

Nancy stammered, her confidence crumbling under his icy glare. "I-I didn't realize-"

"She's a special guest," Nicholas interrupted, his voice steely but audible for everyone to hear. "She doesn't need an appointment. In fact, she doesn't need anyone's permission."

The whispers in the lobby grew louder, eyes darting between Nicholas, Nancy, and Vivian.

Nancy flushed a deep red, humiliated. "I-I didn't know, sir..."

Nicholas's eyes narrowed. "Consider this your final warning. If it happens again, you'll be looking for another job. Understood?"

Nancy nodded quickly, unable to meet his gaze. "Yes, sir."

Satisfied, Nicholas turned to Vivian and, to her surprise, gently took her hand. "Let's go."

The warmth of his touch sent a shock through her, but she didn't pull away. As they walked toward the elevators, the whispers around them grew, but Vivian kept her head high. Let them talk.

Nancy, however, stood frozen behind the desk, her face twisted with jealousy as she watched them disappear into the elevator.

As the doors slid shut, leaving them in silence, Nicholas's grip on her hand remained firm.

"You didn't have to do that," Vivian said quietly, guilt gnawing at her despite Nancy's rudeness.

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "I protect what's mine, Vivian."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but she quickly shook it off. "I'm not yours," she muttered, pulling her hand away.

Nicholas smirked. "Not yet," he replied, his eyes darkening. "But that will soon change."