The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 77

Aveline

The rest of my classes passed in a blur of distraction. I tried to focus on the children, on their innocent questions about colors and shapes, but my mind kept drifting back to that moment when Orion had whispered something in Colin's ear.

The way Colin's face had changed—the color draining from his cheeks despite his efforts to stay composed. And Orion's expression afterward, that satisfied smirk as he'd watched Colin walk away.

What could he possibly have said? And why did he keep looking at me with that mocking glint in his eyes, like he was enjoying some private joke at my expense?

That bastard had definitely said something awful about me. I was sure of it.

The thought made my blood boil. I didn't have romantic feelings for Colin, but that didn't mean I could tolerate being slandered to him. Whatever lie Orion had whispered, whatever rumor he'd planted, I wasn't going to let it slide.

*Just wait until I get my hands on that arrogant ass. I'll make him tell me exactly what poison he dripped in Colin's ear.*

By the time I finally left the school, my jaw ached from clenching it so hard. Work had run late today, and after grabbing a quick dinner at a nearby café, the subway ride home did nothing to calm my nerves. By the time I reached my building, it was already past nine, and I was practically vibrating with frustrated energy.

I stood outside the apartment door for a moment, touching the earrings Orion had returned—a nervous habit I'd developed before facing unpleasant situations. I straightened my dress, squared my shoulders, and pushed open the door.

A ceramic plate came flying directly at my head.

I dodged to the left just in time, the plate shattering against the wall behind me in an explosion of white fragments. Before I could fully process what was happening, Vivian launched herself at me like a wild animal.

"You bitch!" she screamed, her momentum sending us both crashing to the floor. "Did you seduce Dwayne? You did something to him outside that club, didn't you? He hasn't looked at me the same way since!"

I hit the hardwood floor hard, my breath knocked out of me as Vivian's weight pinned me down. Her perfectly manicured nails aimed for my face as she continued her tirade.

"He used to call me every day! Every day! And now he barely responds to my texts! What did you do to him, you little slut?"

"Vivian, that's enough!"

Richard's voice cut through the chaos as both he and Monica rushed over to pull Vivian off me. But even as they restrained her, their expressions weren't exactly sympathetic toward me.

"Oh, Aveline," Monica said with that particular tone of fake concern she'd perfected over the years. "You've already landed yourself that Orion Blackwell—such a catch! Why did you have to mess with Dwayne too? You know how much your sister cares about him."

"She's just heartbroken," Richard added, though his tone suggested I was the one being unreasonable. "Maybe you could help smooth things over? You know, contact Dwayne and explain that Vivian really misses him?"

I pushed myself to my feet slowly, brushing dust and ceramic shards from my dress. When I was sure I had my balance, I shoved Vivian away from me hard enough to make her stumble.

"Are you completely insane?" I snapped, glaring at all three of them. "He was the one harassing me that night! I told him to leave me alone and haven't spoken to him since! If he's ignoring you now, that's your problem, not mine!"

Vivian's laugh was high and manic. "Oh, please! Like I'm supposed to believe that? I saw you with that mixed-race guy—that tall, gorgeous man who was all over you. You're collecting men like trophies! You just can't stand that one of them might actually want me instead!"

"You think I care about Dwayne?" I said, my voice dripping with disdain. "Have you seen him? Do you honestly think I'd waste my time on someone like that when—"

"When you have better options?" Vivian shrieked. "Like that club boy? Like Orion Blackwell? God, you're such a whore! Well, if you don't fix this situation with Dwayne, you can find somewhere else to live!"

I'd had enough. I turned away from her completely, heading for my bedroom. I just wanted to lock my door, take a hot shower, and forget this entire nightmare of a day.

But Richard and stepmother moved to block my path.

"Wait, wait," Richard said, holding up his hands like he was negotiating a peace treaty. "Let's all calm down and discuss this rationally. Aveline, your grandmother isn't here right now, so we can speak freely."

Monica nodded eagerly. "We know you've been wanting to contact your husband about divorce proceedings. We could help with that."

I stopped dead in my tracks. "What?"

"We're finally willing to give you his contact information," Richard continued, clearly pleased that he'd gotten my attention. "If you help Vivian reconnect with Dwayne—just arrange one meeting, smooth things over—we'll hand over what you need to reach your husband directly."

For a moment, I couldn't speak. After all this time of them refusing to cooperate, they were finally willing to give me what I needed to end this nightmare marriage?

The possibility of finally, officially contacting him directly made my heart race with something that might have been hope.

"You're serious?" I asked, searching their faces for any sign of deception. "You'll actually give me his information?"

"The moment you fix things with Dwayne," Monica confirmed.

I looked back at Vivian, who was watching this exchange with wild eyes, her hair disheveled and her face flushed with rage. She looked absolutely unhinged, but if helping her meant I could finally get my life back...

"Fine," I said, the word tasting bitter in my mouth. "I'll try. But I can't promise anything will work."