Chapter 5

Vivian's POV

I was about to step out of the villa when a cold voice suddenly came from behind.

"Stop."

I turned around to see Frederick with his arm around Felicity, his fingers gently stroking her cheek, though his gaze fell coldly on me.

No need to guess-Felicity must have complained to him.

I straightened my spine.

"What, here to get even for her? Will you slap me, or make me kneel?"

"About your brother, I'm very sorry."

Frederick stared at my pale face, a flash of complicated emotion in his eyes.

"But don't worry, I'll personally hold a memorial service for him and let him be buried with dignity."

I laughed mockingly.

What was this? A slap followed by candy, and everything's supposed to be fine?

Seeing my silence, Frederick seemed to lose patience, coldly dropping one line.

"The internet is in an uproar over your brother's case right now. Don't go out alone. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you and Felicity to the memorial together."

I believed him.

But the next day, I waited from eight in the morning until eleven-and never saw a trace of Frederick!

In the end, I had to take a taxi there myself.

When I arrived, I discovered the memorial hall was completely empty!

This was his idea of a "dignified burial"?

I smiled bitterly. I should have known better than to hold any expectations of him.

The eulogy, the moment of silence, kowtowing... I completed every ritual alone.

The urn was small, yet holding it felt unbearably heavy, crushing me until I couldn't breathe.

Just as the burial was about to begin, the sound of deafening fireworks suddenly erupted outside.

Felicity pushed open the doors and announced loudly to a crowd of reporters,

"This is Marcus's memorial service. Everyone's welcome to pay their respects!"

My heart sank. Before I could react, I was surrounded by a swarm of reporters, countless cameras aimed at my face.

"Miss Vivian, Marcus molested you. Why are you still attending his memorial?"

"How long did he molest you? When did it start?"

"Miss Vivian, don't you hate Marcus? Or were you a willing participant?"

My lips trembled. I couldn't get a single word out.

Marcus was already dead... How could I let him bear such slander even after death?

"Enough!"

I shouted, cutting them off. I pushed through the reporters and grabbed Felicity by the arm.

"My brother never molested me! He was innocent! Felicity Ashton forced me to sign that complaint. Everything was her doing!!"

Before I could finish, the belatedly arriving Frederick kicked me in the chest, violently cutting me off.

"Gentlemen, today's events have nothing to do with my sister."

He swept a cold glance across the reporters.

"As for the rest, do as you please."

I slammed heavily into the coffin, the urn hitting the ground, ashes scattering everywhere!

I screamed hoarsely, ignoring the sharp pain in my chest, desperately trying to gather those ashes.

But the reporters paid no attention. Their feet trampled through the ashes, crushing them without care.

"Mr. Ashton truly dotes on his sister!"

"Having a brother like that must be wonderful! Now look at Marcus-a good person on the surface, but molesting his own sister behind closed doors. Absolute scum!"

"Vivian, you have a husband like Mr. Ashton and you don't cherish him. Instead you have an affair with your brother behind his back. Absolutely shameless!"

Their words were like knives, carving into my heart one by one.

I looked up at Frederick, only to see him holding Felicity tenderly, asking in a low voice if she was hurt.

He was indeed a good brother.

But he didn't deserve to be my husband.

Blood dripped onto the ground, mixing with the ashes.

I finally couldn't hold on. My vision went black and I passed out.

Before losing consciousness, I seemed to hear Frederick's panicked roar.

"Get away! If anything happens to my wife, none of you will escape!"

Was he... actually worried about me?