The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 2

Old Mr. Sterling didn't seem entirely surprised by her call. He chuckled warmly. "What condition? Now, Vivian, if it's too outrageous, I won't agree."

"It's nothing outrageous. In fact, it's good news."

A cold smirk curved on Vivian's lips. "I want to move the wedding date forward."

"Forward to when?"

"In half a month."

Old Mr. Sterling paused in surprise before happily agreeing.

After ending the call, Vivian opened iMessage. Jonah had sent a barrage of texts, filled with sweet, caring words that now looked sickeningly genuine.

She scoffed, tossing the phone aside.

Time to sleep.

She fully expected to lie awake all night, but surprisingly, she slept straight through until morning.

Vivian ran a hand through her hair and sat up. Checking her phone, she saw it was already nine. The screen displayed two missed calls from Jonah.

She glanced at them before locking the screen and heading to the bathroom to get ready.

Returning to the villa she shared with Jonah, a suffocating wave of complicated emotions hit her.

That man... had been loving Amara right under her nose.

And she hadn't suspected a damn thing!

Vivian took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Perhaps she had done enough mental preparation at the door, because when Amara's obnoxious figure entered her line of sight, Vivian barely felt a ripple of emotion.

"Vivian, you're back."

The moment Amara saw her, she stood up, looking slightly flustered.

"I-I didn't have much going on today, so Dad asked me to come see you."

Vivian shot her a passing glance, then shifted her gaze to the glass of milk on the coffee table—filled to exactly sixty percent, a clear trademark of Jonah's exactness.

She let out a sharp laugh. "Did he send you to see me, or did he send you to get yelled at? Your dad really does love you. He knows I despise you, yet he constantly pushes you in my face."

"Vivian..."

"Drop the pitiful act. It doesn't work on me."

Amara's face turned as pale as paper. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a cold, elegant voice echoed from behind.

"Amara just wants to build a connection with you. There's no need to be so aggressive."

Jonah stood there in a gray casual outfit, his tall, imposing figure exuding an untouchable, aloof aura. Even just standing in the room, he commanded the entire space.

Vivian looked at him with a mocking smile. "What, is Dr. Granger feeling protective?"

Jonah frowned at her sarcastic tone.

"I'm fine, Dr. Granger. Vivian is just joking with me," Amara quickly stepped in to smooth things over. She wore a fragile smile that made her look incredibly helpless.

Vivian almost laughed out loud.

She wanted nothing more than to rip that fake mask right off her face, but she held back, knowing it would be much sweeter to destroy her slowly.

Jonah gave Vivian a deep, meaningful look, but when he turned back to Amara, his voice was so gentle it could melt ice. "Amara, are you feeling unwell? Let me take you home to rest."

"Why go back so soon?"

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