Vivian glanced at Sienna’s face. She had inherited their mother’s poised beauty and their father’s striking features, giving her a powerful, captivating aura. Her presence was unmistakably like their mother’s – the same protective strength that once sheltered them under her wings.

Vivian’s lonely heart finally had an anchor. “Okay,” she whispered.

Meanwhile, at the Hart’s residence, Aiden slammed his hand on the table.

“That Vivian!” he raged at the sharp-faced woman beside him. “She’s really gotten bold! The nerve of her, saying she wants to break the engagement! It’s infuriating! When she gets back, I’m going to teach her a lesson.”

Linda Lambert smiled sweetly, rubbing Aiden’s back with practiced ease. “Now, now, don’t get so worked up over a kid. You know I’m their stepmother, and as the saying goes, a stepmom’s never as good as a real mother. It’s no surprise they don’t like me.”

Seeing Aiden start to settle down, she pressed on. “Tonight’s my birthday. All I wanted was for you and the girls to be under one roof. The Quinns are here too – perfect timing to talk wedding plans. I never thought Vivian would be the one to bring up ending things with Mason.”

“Linda, you’re too good. That girl is just ungrateful. You’re always thinking of them, and they resent you for it,” Aiden took her hand, sighing. “Don’t worry. She will be here tonight to celebrate your birthday.”

As he spoke, he noticed her attire. The burgundy dress, the jewelry, the earrings – they had all belonged to his late wife. For a split second, an image of his late wife, Selina Bayer’s face flashed in his mind.

He frowned. “Didn’t I tell you not to touch these things?”

Linda’s face fell. She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice thick with tears. “Darling, I didn’t mean any harm. I just… I knew Vivian would be here tonight, and I wanted her to feel a sense of her mother’s love. I truly had no other motive.”

Hearing this, Aiden’s anger melted away again. He pulled her into a comforting embrace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get angry with you.”

“Sir, Madam,” the butler chimed in and announced. “Mr. Mason has arrived.”

Mason had planned to attend a friend’s party, but after waiting for Vivian for what felt like an eternity, he’d gotten angry and told Aiden about her threat to end the engagement.

Hearing it was Linda’s birthday, he knew Vivian would have to show up. So he’d ditched his friend’s party to confront her. He’d made up his mind: if Vivian didn’t bow down and apologize, the engagement was off.

He stepped into the Hart living room, where Aiden and Linda quickly came forward to greet him.

“Mason, my boy, what are you doing here?” Aiden said warmly. “I thought just your parents were coming.”

“Mr. Hart, I’m here to find Vivian,” Mason replied. “Hasn’t she returned yet?”

Before Aiden could answer, Linda smiled. “She’ll be here soon. We just called to remind her to be careful on the road. You know how these kids are, insisting on living outside when they have a perfectly good home. It’s not as safe out there, is it?”

“You’re right, Ms. Lambert,” Mason said. “Vivian is just too immature. Last night she was going on about breaking up with me, making a clean break. I didn’t want to argue with her, so I went to see her this morning, and she completely ignored me.”

Aiden’s face darkened. “Don’t worry. When she gets back, I’ll be sure to teach her a lesson.”

On the other hand, under Sienna’s guidance, Vivian had been transformed. With exquisite makeup and a flowing white gown, she looked graceful, pure, and stunningly beautiful.

When she showed up at the Hart’s residence, everyone stared. Even Mason, seeing this elegant and regal version of Vivian for the first time, felt his heart skip a beat. Only Linda narrowed her eyes, looking displeased.