Chapter 209

Vivian stood in the restroom, lost in her own tangled emotions, weighing every option like she’d done a million times before. All these years, ever since she sent Matthew packing to Veloria, Lawrence Quinn had made it clear she wasn’t to bring up the past again. Nights she woke up in tears were countless. She’d grit her teeth, wipe her tears, and pretend to be strong. She had tried—really tried—to treat Matthew like her own, but deep down, there was always that line she couldn't cross. Just couldn’t do it. If there had never been any news about Austin Quinn, Vivian might’ve just let things be. She was already halfway through life, after all—what was left to hold on to? As long as she stayed quiet and didn’t mess with Serena, Matthew wouldn’t come after her either. But then Chloe went and dug up Austin. And that photo... one glance was enough to etch it into her mind. It was like living in darkness for years and suddenly seeing the sun. That kind of light—it burned, but she couldn’t loo