CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The calm didn't last.
Kiera felt it before she saw it—the subtle shift in the house, the way silence grew sharp instead of soft. Even Leo sensed it, becoming quieter, sticking closer to her side.
Vivienne Laurent had not disappeared.
She was simply choosing her moment.
It came on a Wednesday morning, wrapped in politeness and poison.
Kiera was organizing Leo's school bag when the intercom buzzed.
"Ms. Frost," the security voice said carefully, "there's a visitor asking for you. Ms. Vivienne Laurent."
Kiera's stomach dropped.
Kade was already gone for a morning meeting. The penthouse felt suddenly too large, too exposed.
"She says she has permission," the guard added.
Kiera knew better.
Vivienne never asked for permission.
"Send her up," Kiera said quietly.
If this confrontation was coming, she refused to hide.
Minutes later, the elevator doors opened.
Vivienne stepped out like she owned the space—perfectly dressed, chin high, eyes sharp with calculated calm. Her gaze swept over the penthouse, lingering with clear distaste before settling on Kiera.
"So," Vivienne said coolly. "This is where you live now."
Kiera straightened. "This is where I work."
Vivienne smiled thinly. "Of course you do."
Leo appeared behind Kiera, clutching his backpack. "Kiera?"
She placed a protective hand on his shoulder. "Go wait in your room, okay?"
Leo glanced at Vivienne, then nodded and disappeared down the hall.
Vivienne watched him go, amusement flickering across her face. "Already playing mother?"
"That's enough," Kiera said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest. "Why are you here?"
Vivienne stepped closer. "To see the girl who ruined my engagement."
"I didn't," Kiera replied. "You did."
Vivienne laughed softly. "Bold. For someone who came from nothing."
The words hit—but didn't break her.
"Say what you want about me," Kiera said. "But don't pretend you were faithful. Kade saw you."
Vivienne's smile vanished.
"You think you won?" she snapped. "You think he'll choose you when the world turns on him?"
"I'm not asking him to choose me," Kiera said calmly. "I'm choosing myself."
Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "You're naive. Men like Kade don't love women like you. They use you until the novelty fades."
Kiera took a slow breath. "Then why are you here?"
The question landed.
Vivienne's composure cracked—just slightly.
"Because you don't know what you're dealing with," she said coldly. "I built his public image. I protected his reputation. Without me, he's exposed."
Kiera met her gaze. "And without him?"
Vivienne flinched.
"I won't be intimidated," Kiera continued. "And I won't leave. Not because you want me to."
Vivienne leaned in, her voice dropping to a hiss. "I will destroy you."
Kiera's heart pounded—but she didn't step back.
"You'll try," she said. "But I've survived worse than you."
For a moment, they stared at each other—two women bound by one man, standing on opposite sides of power.
Then Vivienne straightened, smoothing her dress.
"This isn't over," she said coolly. "Enjoy your borrowed life."
She turned and walked out.
Kiera exhaled shakily only after the elevator doors closed.
That evening, Kade came home to find Kiera unusually quiet.
"She was here," Kiera said before he could ask.
His face darkened. "Vivienne?"
"Yes."
"What did she say to you?" His voice was tight with restrained fury.
"She tried to scare me," Kiera replied. "She failed."
He crossed the room in two strides. "I told her to stay away from you."
"She doesn't listen," Kiera said gently. "But I'm okay."
Kade searched her face, anger mixing with something far more dangerous—fear.
"I won't let her hurt you," he said.
Kiera looked up at him. "You can't fight every battle for me."
He frowned. "I should have been here."
"You trust me with Leo," she said softly. "Trust me with this."
The words surprised them both.
Slowly, Kade nodded. "I do."
That night, as Leo slept, Kade made a call.
Vivienne answered on the second ring.
"You crossed a line," he said coldly.
"I paid a visit," she replied sweetly. "Is that a crime?"
"If you go near her again," Kade warned, "this stops being polite."
Vivienne laughed. "You're already choosing her over me."
"I'm choosing what's right," he said. "Something you stopped doing a long time ago."
She went silent.
"You underestimated her," Kade added. "And you underestimated me."
The call ended.
The next few days brought whispers.
Online blogs speculated wildly. Some named Kiera outright. Others hinted.
Kade countered swiftly—legal warnings, quiet pressure, controlled narratives.
But Kiera felt the weight of being seen.
Judged.
One afternoon, she sat with her sister, Maya, in a small café.
"You look stronger," Maya said carefully. "But tired."
"I am," Kiera admitted. "But I'm not running."
Maya reached across the table. "I'm proud of you."
The words healed something old.
Back at the penthouse, Kade watched Kiera help Leo with homework, laughter light in her eyes. Something settled in his chest—a sense of rightness he could no longer ignore.
Later, when Leo was asleep, Kade spoke quietly.
"Vivienne won't stop," he said. "Not easily."
Kiera nodded. "Neither will I."
He studied her face, then said the truth he'd been holding back.
"I'm falling in love with you."
The words hung between them—dangerous, fragile, real.
Kiera's breath caught. "Kade—"
"I'm not asking for an answer," he said quickly. "I just won't lie anymore."
Tears filled her eyes—not from fear, but from the weight of being seen.
"I'm scared," she whispered. "But I feel it too."
He didn't touch her.
Didn't push.
Just nodded, respect in every inch of him.
Outside, the city roared on—unaware that lines had been crossed, masks had fallen, and love had stepped onto a battlefield it didn't yet understand.
And somewhere in the shadows, Vivienne watched, waiting.
The war had only just begun.