The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 270

Aveline

The nightmare feels horrifyingly real. I'm watching Vivian and Dmitri being dragged away in chains, their faces bloodied and broken, their eyes filled with the kind of despair that comes only from complete defeat. The images are so vivid I can smell the metallic scent of blood, hear their muffled cries for help that I'm powerless to answer.

"No!" I'm screaming in the dream, fighting against invisible restraints. "Let them go! Take me instead!"

But my voice echoes uselessly as they disappear into darkness, leaving me alone with the crushing weight of failure.

Suddenly, something warm and solid grasps my hand, anchoring me to reality. The sensation is so unexpected, so gentle, that it cuts through the nightmare like sunlight piercing storm clouds.

My eyes snap open to find dawn light filtering through the bedroom curtains. The first thing I see is Vivian sitting on the edge of my bed, her expression soft with concern as she holds my hand in both of hers.

"You're back," I breathe, the relief so overwhelming it makes me dizzy. "You're actually back." I throw my arms around her, pulling her into a fierce embrace. "I had the most terrible dream. I dreamed that you and Dmitri were captured and tortured and—"

"I've been listening to your sleep-talking for the past half hour," Vivian interrupts gently. "It started as whispers but escalated to full-blown panic. That's when I decided to wake you up."

I pull back, confused. "You've been listening for half an hour? How long have you been sitting here?"

Vivian's smile is tired but genuine. "I got back about three hours ago. Spent the first hour sitting with Grandma, making sure she was comfortable. The last two hours I've been right here, watching over you."

The casual way she mentions being back for hours makes my heart skip. "Wait, that means the Pakhan... he's..."

"Nikolai isn't dead," Vivian says with surprising calm. "We lost."

I bolt upright, my mind racing through worst-case scenarios. "What? That means Dmitri is—oh god, Vivian, I'm so sorry. I should have insisted you take more people! Just the two of you against—but at least you escaped, at least you're—"

"Aveline." Vivian's voice cuts through my spiraling panic with amusement. "Could you possibly let me finish a sentence before assuming the worst?"

I rub my eyes, forcing myself to calm down. "Sorry. I should listen before freaking out."

"Thank you." Vivian settles more comfortably on the bed, choosing her words carefully. "When I said we lost, I meant Nikolai emerged as the victor in our confrontation. Which means we had no choice but to accept his terms."

A chill runs down my spine, but I remain silent, letting her continue.

"The terms are..." she pauses, as if testing how the words sound, "we're going to Europe. We'll become his representatives in Northern Europe, essentially high-ranking members of his organization helping him expand his operations there."

I stare at her, certain I've misheard. "What the fuck?"

Vivian's slight smile suggests she expected exactly this reaction. "But in exchange, he's ending this war permanently. You and Orion can return to completely normal lives. No more surveillance, no more threats, no more looking over your shoulders."

The concept of 'normal life' sounds so foreign I almost can't process it. After months of constant danger, the idea of walking outside without fear seems like pure fantasy.

"But that doesn't mean you should have to go," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "Especially you. Will you even be happy living that kind of life?"

Vivian considers this thoughtfully. "Honestly? I think I might be naturally suited for it. I'm good at reading people's motivations, I don't flinch at violence when it's necessary, and I have a talent for strategic thinking under pressure." She shrugs. "Besides, it's not like I'm being exiled forever. I can visit you and Grandma. And most importantly, no more innocent people have to die because of this conflict."

The mention of innocent victims brings the image of Mitchell flooding back. His death still feels like an open wound, and the guilt of his sacrifice weighs heavily on my conscience. If there's a chance to prevent more deaths like his...

My eyes fill with tears as I pull Vivian into another embrace, this one desperate and clinging. "Thank you," I whisper against her shoulder. "Thank you for everything you've done. For all the sacrifices."

Instead of pulling away like she usually does when emotions run high, Vivian relaxes into the hug and actually smiles. "Well, this is a farewell embrace, so I suppose I can tolerate a little emotional overflow."

"Did you say goodbye to Grandma?" I ask softly.

"I told her a version of events that an elderly woman can accept and process," Vivian replies. "Your job now is to help her heal from everything that's happened. Especially the butler's death. She needs to find peace."

I nod firmly. "I'll take care of her. I promise."

Vivian glances at her watch and stands up. "I should go soon. I noticed Orion is still sleeping, so I won't disturb him for goodbyes."

The finality of her words hits me like a physical blow. "God, I never imagined I could love someone as much as I love you, Vivian."

"I never expected to feel this attached to you either," she admits, her usual emotional walls lowering completely. "Maybe chosen family really can be stronger than blood relations."

Unable to help myself, I step forward for one more hug. As we embrace, I whisper, "By the way, what's happening with you and Dmitri romantically? You need to settle that situation soon."

Vivian's cheeks actually turn pink. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't pretend I haven't noticed how completely infatuated you are with that red-haired man," I tease. "When you get to Europe, marry him already!"

She nods shyly, then gently extricates herself from my arms. As she walks toward the door, every step feels like a piece of my heart being torn away. The sight of her climbing into Dmitri's car through the window makes my eyes blur with fresh tears.

After the vehicle disappears around the corner, I stand alone in my bedroom, feeling the profound emptiness of her absence.

"Damn it," I whisper to the empty room. "I really do love her like a sister."