Chapter 195

Ethan Blackwood's unexpected trust in her, despite his young age, caught Vivian Prescott completely off guard.

"Can I call you Aunt Vivian from now on?" Ethan gazed up at her with hopeful eyes.

Vivian nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips, though her heart wavered at the memory of him calling her Mom moments ago.

"Of course."

At her answer, a rare smile finally brightened Ethan's face.

It was the first time Vivian had ever seen him smile—whether three years ago or now.

Dimples appeared at the corners of his mouth, making him look warm and endearing, just like Amelia.

A wave of tenderness flooded Vivian's chest at the sight of his angelic expression.

Not long after, Alexander arrived.

He moved to enter, but Vivian blocked his path at the door.

"Please take better care of your son, Mr. Blackwood. After all, he is the precious child of you and your beloved." Her words carried a deeper meaning. Turning back, she gave Ethan a gentle smile. "Come on, Ethan. Your father is here to take you home. You can visit again next time."

"Okay." Ethan nodded and shuffled reluctantly to stand beside Alexander.

Instead of greeting his father, he remained silent, his small frame tense.

The distance between father and son struck Vivian as strange and unsettling.

"Thank you, Miss Prescott." Alexander's gratitude was stiff. He opened his mouth to say more but was interrupted by an untimely call.

The caller ID flashed Victoria Lancaster.

He hesitated briefly before answering.

The moment the call connected, Victoria's frantic voice pierced through. "Alexander! I went to pick Ethan up from school, but they said a woman named Vivian Prescott took him! What does she want? Why would she kidnap our son? Alexander, I'm terrified—what if she hurts him? Alexander—!"

Vivian couldn't help but overhear every word, given Victoria's hysterical volume.

Amused, she watched Alexander's frown deepen as he prepared to respond. But before he could, Vivian snatched the phone from his hand and pressed it to her ear.

Victoria's shrill voice continued. "Alexander, can you hear me? Al—"

"Miss Lancaster? You're right. I have kidnapped your son. In fact, I've got your fiancé here too. Want to save them? Then bring the ransom to my place. Oh, and don't forget to call the police while you're at it."

Silence.

Victoria froze, processing Vivian's mocking tone.

Imagining her furious, flustered expression, Vivian smirked and handed the phone back to Alexander.

"Quite the dramatic one, isn't she? The legendary love of your life must be exhausting to handle."

With a warm smile, she waved at Ethan. "Goodbye, Ethan. See you soon."

Ethan grinned and waved back. "Bye, Aunt Vivian."

Vivian nodded and swiftly closed the door.

From the corner of her eye, she caught Alexander's stormy expression and couldn't help but smirk.

The next day, Alexander surprised her by appearing at her boutique while she worked.

Dressed in a tailored suit, his commanding presence drew envious glances from everyone around.

He strode straight to her, cutting to the chase.

"Grandfather is convinced you're Evelyn Sinclair, my ex-wife. He wants you to attend Blackwood Enterprises' 50th-anniversary gala in two days."

Vivian didn't look up from her sketch. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I'd rather not invite unnecessary trouble—or be mistaken for your damned ex-wife again."

She lifted her gaze, meeting his dark, unreadable eyes, and chuckled.

"You suspect it too, don't you, Mr. Blackwood? That I'm her."

Her voice dripped with irony.

"That night at the club—you weren't really drunk, were you? You knew exactly what you were doing when you clung to me, whispering sweet words meant for Evelyn."

She tilted her head. "Or have you forgotten? Everyone knows how much you loathed Evelyn Sinclair. There's no way you'd mourn her like that—let alone say the things you claimed you wanted to say—if she were still alive."