Chapter 96: THE SUDDEN VISIT

ELENA / VIVIAN

Elena stood outside the ruined house, staring at it in disbelief.

Her delicate brows slowly pulled together.

The walls were cracked. Several windows were shattered, and part of the roof had collapsed. The once-decent entrance had been reduced to a mess of broken materials and dust.

Elena instinctively covered her nose.

"This..."

She looked around, unable to hide the disgust on her face.

Lydia, who stood beside her, suddenly laughed.

"She really can’t live comfortably without the Astronova family’s help."

Her voice was loud enough to reach Vivian.

Vivian stood several steps away with her arms folded across her chest.

She had heard every word. But she didn’t respond. She simply stared at them.

After everything that had happened, she no longer had the energy to defend herself against every insult.

Elena stepped forward. "Little sister..."

Vivian’s eyes narrowed. "So you really lived in a place like this?"

Vivian let out a quiet sigh. Then she looked directly at Elena. "So you know I’m your little sister now?"

Elena froze. She must have said it without thinking. Vivian gave a humorless smile. "I thought you didn’t know."

Her voice remained calm, but there was something painful underneath it. "All this while, you’ve been telling everyone that I’m your older sister. Didn’t you feel ashamed?"

Elena’s expression changed.

"Claiming to be the younger sister when you knew very well that I was born before you." Vivian tilted her head. "Now you’re suddenly calling me Little Sister?"

Elena’s lips pressed together. "Mother said that from now on, I’m the younger sister."

Vivian stared at her. "What?"

"It’s the family’s decision."

Elena’s voice became firmer. "Mother said the family can no longer continue treating us according to the old order."

She took another step closer.

"I’m the child who carries the Astronova family’s values and expectations. I’m the daughter they invested everything in."

Her gaze swept over Vivian’s ruined home.

"And you?"

Elena’s eyes became colder. "There is nothing you can do for the Astronova family."

Vivian’s expression hardened.

Elena stared at Lucien in his kitchen robe..she shook her head."You can only feed on us. Mummy had to get you a beast husband because without her no one will accept you."

The words hung heavily in the air..Lydia’s smile widened. Vivian stared at Elena for several seconds.

Then she slowly nodded. "So that’s what you came here to say?"

Elena didn’t answer immediately. Vivian spread her hands. "Then what do you want?"

She looked at the ruined house around her.

"Did you come all the way here just to laugh at my house?"

"No."

Elena’s eyes sharpened. "I came because of Caelan."

The moment Caelan’s name left her mouth, Vivian’s expression became completely indifferent. Does she know about the pregnancy too?

"Who is Caelan?" Vivian asked.

Elena clenched her fingers. "Stay away from him."

Vivian raised an eyebrow. "I don’t know what you are talking about..."

"I know you’re here for him." Elena’s voice trembled slightly. "You always wanted what I had."

Vivian stared at her. "What exactly do you think I want?"

"Caelan." The answer came immediately.

"You want him so badly because he is mine. You are just jealous of everything I had." Elena’s breathing became heavier. "You always have."

Vivian gave a small, bitter laugh. "Do you hear yourself?"

"You were always jealous of me," Elena continued. "Whenever people praised me, you wanted their attention. Whenever I received something, you wanted it too."

Her voice cracked. "And now it’s Caelan."

Vivian’s eyes darkened.

"You really think that?"

"Yes."

Elena swallowed. "Because I know you."

"No." Vivian shook her head. "You know the Vivian you created in your head."

Elena went silent. Vivian stepped closer.

"You’ve spent so long believing that everything I do is because I want to take something from you that you’ve never stopped to ask yourself whether I even want it. They just come to me without me stressing about it.."

Her voice became quieter. "But I don’t want your family."

Elena’s eyes flickered.

"I don’t want your position."

Vivian pointed toward the ruined house.

"And I certainly don’t want this Astronova name. I am comfortable here. I already told you I don’t want it. Can you and your mother let go of me?"

She looked directly into Elena’s eyes.

"As for Caelan..."

Vivian paused.

"I don’t need to take him from you."

Elena’s heart tightened.

"What does that mean?"

"It means if Caelan wants you, then stay with him. But I don’t think he wants you anymore..That’s why you came to warn me."

Vivian’s voice was steady. "I’m not going to fight you for a man."

Elena’s expression changed. "You’re lying. You know his position in the Military and every female wants him in their house. "

Vivian laughed softly. "You came here expecting me to beg, didn’t you?"

Elena said nothing.

"You expected me to become that pathetic Vivian you remember."

Vivian’s eyes became colder.

"The one who would chase after you. The one who wanted Mother and Father’s attention. The one who thought being accepted by the Astronova family meant everything. The one who wanted to be called Princess Vivian."

She shook her head. "That girl is gone."

Elena’s lips parted. "Vivian...Mother wants you back. You are fatherless now. Only the Astronova family can take care of you and your Beast Husband. She can give you as many as you want."

Lucien stood watching the show. Elena here was really different from everything said about her.

"Leave."

The single word stopped her. Elena stared at her.

Vivian folded her arms again. "You introduced me to Lucien so I can get my partnership and leave the Astronova family. Why do you all suddenly want me back?"

Elena said..."Um...um..Mother just missed her daughter..."

Her voice was calm. "leave Elena..I don’t want your family."

Elena’s eyes became slightly red. "I’m trying to protect you."

Vivian’s expression softened for only a moment. "Then stop."

Elena frowned. "What?"

"Stop protecting me."

Vivian looked away.

"Because every time you say you’re protecting me, you make me feel like I’m something helpless that needs the Astronova family to breathe."

She turned back toward Elena. "I survived without them."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"I survived when you all called me useless for years"

Elena’s eyes flickered. "I survived when everyone decided I was worthless and should sit at the back of the dining table.."

Vivian’s fingers curled. "And I’ll survive whatever comes next. Tell your mother Vivian is no longer her Daughter...she is Isaac’s daughter."

Elena looked genuinely hurt. "You really hate us that much?"

Vivian was silent. Then she shook her head.

"Yes"

Elena’s eyes lifted. "You..."

"I hate anyone called Astronova.." Vivian looked at her with an exhausted expression.

Her voice finally cracked. "And most of all..." Vivian looked directly at Elena.

"I’m tired of you looking at me like I’m someone who wants to steal your life."

Elena’s eyes glistened. "I never..."

"You did."

Vivian interrupted softly. "You just don’t realize it."

For several seconds, neither woman spoke.

Then Elena lowered her gaze.

"I just..."

She swallowed. "I don’t want to lose Caelan."

Vivian stared at her. "Then don’t."

"I love him."

Vivian’s heart tightened. But she refused to let it show.

"Then go to him."

Elena looked at her. "Stay away from him."

Vivian nodded once. "Fine."

Elena seemed surprised by how easily she agreed.

"But don’t come here again."

Vivian’s voice became firm.

"This is my home."

She glanced at the broken walls. "It’s ugly. It’s damaged. It’s nothing compared to the Astronova mansion."

Her gaze returned to Elena. "But it’s mine."

Elena stood frozen. Vivian turned away. "I don’t need your family pity."

Elena’s hands trembled. "I wasn’t..."

"You were."

Vivian didn’t turn around. "And I don’t need your family either."

Elena’s eyes slowly filled with tears.

She wanted to say something.

But Vivian had already walked toward the broken doorway.

Then Elena suddenly spoke. "Vivian."

Vivian stopped.

Elena’s voice was quieter now. "I asked Ina to take care of you."

Vivian slowly turned around.

Elena looked at her with an expression Vivian couldn’t understand.

"She was supposed to make sure you were safe."

Vivian’s eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Elena’s lips trembled. "I asked her to look after you because..."

She paused. "I knew you wouldn’t accept help from me."

Vivian’s expression changed.

"And now..."

Elena stared at her. "Ina is missing."

Vivian froze. The air around her seemed to disappear.

Elena’s eyes were filled with fear. "I can’t find her."

Her voice broke. "We have searched everywhere."

Vivian’s face slowly lost its color.

Elena whispered, "She was supposed to take care of you..."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"And now she’s gone..Do you know where she is?"