Chapter 144

The moment her voice echoed through the hall, Alexander's hand froze mid-air.

Evelyn's fingers closed around emptiness as her joyful expression shattered like glass.

All eyes turned toward the fragile figure standing at the entrance.

Vivian Prescott.

She wore a simple ivory dress that draped over her slender frame. Light makeup accentuated her delicate features, though it couldn't completely conceal the scars. Yet she carried herself with an ethereal grace that made her seem like a vision from a forgotten painting.

The guests recognized her immediately - Alexander's former wife.

None could tell she was blind. She moved forward with careful steps, each one a battle against her failing body and the darkness surrounding her.

Alexander watched Vivian's unsteady approach. His gaze searched her eyes desperately, but found only emptiness where warmth once lived.

She stumbled slightly, her body betraying her lack of sight.

Victoria's lips curled in disgust as she observed Vivian's approach. Then she noticed Alexander's unwavering stare, and ice flooded her veins.

"Alexander..." She clutched his arm with feigned weakness.

He shook her off without hesitation, descending the platform toward Vivian.

"Vivian, what are you doing here?" Eleanor Kingsley blocked Vivian's path, her voice dripping with contempt.

Vivian stopped. Though blind, she felt Eleanor's hatred like physical blows. The pain cut deeper than any knife.

"Security! Remove this woman immediately!" William Montgomery's booming voice cut through the murmurs.

Vivian smiled through the agony twisting her insides. She lifted her sightless eyes toward the crowd.

Only Alexander and Victoria knew the truth about her blindness.

As security moved in, Alexander raised his hand. "Wait."

Victoria's face darkened. After years of waiting to claim her place beside Alexander, this ruined moment burned like acid.

That worthless blind creature should have died already!

She'd make sure Vivian didn't see another sunrise.

Alexander approached Vivian with an unfamiliar softness in his eyes. "Did you come to say something?"

His voice held a tenderness Vivian had never heard before. It meant nothing now.

She smiled weakly, wincing as pain wracked her body. "I couldn't miss my dear sister's engagement. I brought a gift."