Page 4 of Restless
Act One – Marriage – Vivian
Her orange and green wedding colors blended well together. While green represents life, hope, and anticipation, orange stands for joy and creativity, suggesting safety.Warmth.
Vivian Frank brushed off her pastel palette, focusing on each color’s meaning rather than the vibrancy of the shades. The myriad orange roses, begonias, and tulips as well as green carnations, chrysanthemums and dahlias sweetened the air. Even though she sat in her bedroom, finishing her makeup and hiding her bruises, the scents wafted through the air vents.
Her lips trembling, she fingered her diamond choker. Until a week ago, her life had been like a fairytale as the only child of doting parents. She was their princess and never knew a day’s struggle. She’d lived a charmed existence from the moment she was born. Today, on her 20thbirthday—her wedding day—she should’ve looked forward to years of happiness.
Instead, she’d walked in on her soon-to-be husband in bed with Logan Donovan. Naked, sweaty, and…and…
Tears rushed to her eyes. She sniffled.
“Vivian?”
Huffing a breath, she swiped at the escaping tear, not intending to respond to Joe Foy.
Her doorknob turned.
“Let me in, Viv.”
“I’m here with him, Vivvie,” Kimber Caldwell murmured.
Over the nearly two years since her engagement to Sharper, she’d become good friends with Kimber. Vivian needed a friend right now. Stumbling to her feet, she tripped forward and unlocked the knob.
The door opened and Kimber rushed in. She was so gorgeous with her wealth of black hair and green eyes. At six months pregnant, she’d gained a lot of weight but was never happier.
“Sit, babe,” Joe said to Kimber, taking Vivian into his arms and hugging her. “Are you okay, Viv?”
More tears rolled down her cheeks. If she didn’t pull herself together, she’d ruin her makeup. She shrugged.
“Come,” Kimber murmured, wrapping her arms around Vivian and guiding her back to the vanity.
“Kimber—”
Placing a finger over Joe’s mouth, she grinned and leaned in for his kiss. “I’m fine, babe. I’m not risking your son, you bossy motherfucker.”
Joe snickered, slapping her ass when she turned away.
Kimber yanked several tissues from the box on the table and dabbed Vivian’s cheeks. “You’re only going through with the wedding to that fuckhead because you want your baby to have a name.”
“You’re expecting, babe?” Joe asked in surprise, cutting a fine figure in his tuxedo. He reminded her of a Viking with his height, icy blue eyes, and golden hair. “Have you gotten checked out?”
“I-I think the baby is fine,” she said. “After Logan…when he…” She dissolved into tears again. “Until last night’s rehearsal dinner, I stayed in bed.”
Anger swept away Joe’s kind expression and he kneeled next to her. “Does Sharper know?” The quiet tone contrasted with the burning fury in his eyes.
She shook her head.
“That motherfucker needs to know,” Kimber snapped, adding as she stomped out of the room, “I need some cold cloths.”
Alone with Joe, Vivian turned and sobbed on his shoulder, not understanding his words of comfort.
“Hey, Viv.” Kaleb Paul’s voice broke through her misery.
She laid her head on Joe’s shoulder as Kimber rushed back in and placed a cold towel on her forehead.
“My offer still stands,” Kaleb said, closer, though she couldn’t see him since Kimber stood in her way. “Fuck Sharper. I’ll marry you and raise your kid.”
“No,” Joe said flatly, shooting to his feet. “I can’t protect you fromboththose motherfuckers.”
