Chapter 5
Once suspicion takes root, it grows like wild weeds, overrunning the heart in no time.
Edward quietly began his investigation, not letting a trace of suspicion show.
On the surface, he continued to dote on Vivian, even more tender and attentive than before.
But in the shadows, he sent his most secret guards to keep Rainview Pavilion under constant surveillance, not missing a single detail.
Vivian was completely unaware of any of this.
She believed the prince's heir growing inside her was her strongest safeguard.
She thought Edward's childlessness made her, as the only woman capable of bearing the prince's child, untouchable. Her position was unshakable.
So, she grew even bolder in her dealings with that man, the head of the Sinclair Manor guards, Lucas.
He was Edward's right-hand man, young, handsome, and a master fighter.
He was also Vivian's childhood sweetheart, long before she ever set foot in Sinclair Manor.
In this messy fight for love, Edward thought he was the hero saving the damsel, but all along, he was just a stepping stone, a tool in their game.
He was a sucker who bankrolled their lavish lifestyle.
I was waiting for the perfect moment to make my move.
One stormy night, thunder roared, and lightning split the sky.
I knew Vivian and Lucas wouldn't be able to hold back much longer.
I got someone to forge Vivian's handwriting and pen a note.
I wrote: [Meet me at the rockery in the back garden at midnight. Urgent matter to discuss.]
The note was delivered straight into Lucas's hands by a servant I'd bribed. It was so discreet that no one suspected a thing.
At the same time, I had someone report to Edward.
They told him that Vivian was unsettled by the thunder outside. Her nerves were frayed, and her unborn child was stirring restlessly.
She said she wanted to take a walk to the pavilion in the back garden, hoping that getting some fresh air might help her feel better.
Edward's secret guards had already uncovered traces that something was off.
His mind was riddled with suspicion, but he just didn't have the evidence to back it up.
What I said might as well have spelled it out for him: tonight, the drama would unfold.
Midnight struck, and dark clouds pressed down, and the wind raged.
A bolt of lightning split the night sky, followed by a deafening crack of thunder.
The rain came pouring down in torrents.
Edward, clad in sleek black combat gear with a face covering, melted into the shadows among the rock formations in the back garden, his two most trusted guards at his side, silent as ghosts.
He was the most patient hunter, lying in wait for his prey to step right into the snare he'd set.
It didn't take long.
Two figures slipped in, one trailing behind the other, sneaking into the hidden cave tucked away behind the rock formations.
They were Vivian and Lucas.
"Vivian, why'd you drag me out here in this crazy rain? What if someone catches us?" Lucas muttered, clearly nervous.
Vivian gave him a teasing smack.
She said, "Oh, quit worrying. That idiot Edward treats me like I'm his whole world. He'd never suspected a thing. And the baby I'm carrying? That's our ticket to safety."
Outside the cave, Edward stiffened at her words, shock rippling through him.
His hand at his side clenched into a fist, nails digging so hard into his palm they nearly drew blood.
Inside the cave, the scheming continued.
"Relax." Lucas pulled Vivian into a tight embrace, his voice dripping with pride and ambition. "Once the baby's born, I'll make sure Edward dies of illness. Then you'll be the imperial noble consort dowager, and I'll be the regent. This manor will be ours, you and our son."
"Really? Lucas." Vivian looked up at him, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Of course, it's true." Lucas lowered his head and kissed her fiercely. "My sweet Vivian, everything you've suffered, I'll pay you back double. That idiot Edward still thinks this kid is his. He'll never know he's just playing nanny to my son."
Each word was like a merciless blade, cutting into Edward's heart again and again, tormenting him with relentless agony.
He was trembling all over.
It wasn't from the cold. It was pure, blinding rage and humiliation.
His blood boiled, and the taste of blood rose in his throat.
He finally snapped, unable to hold back any longer.
With a thunderous crash, the sound split the stormy night. With a single kick, he sent the massive boulder flying from the cave entrance.
The stone crashed aside, exposing Vivian and Lucas caught in each other's arms, still kissing.
Lightning flashed again, splitting the night sky.
It lit up Edward's face, twisted in fury and agony, looking downright monstrous.
He advanced on the terrified pair like a madman, each step heavy with menace.
"You shameless pair!" He spat the words through clenched teeth.
Vivian and Lucas went ghostly pale in an instant.
They never imagined Edward would show up here.
"Your Royal Highness, please, it's not what you think. Let me explain..." Vivian stammered, her voice shaking with fear.
Vivian was so terrified she could barely speak, her legs buckling as she dropped to the muddy ground.
Lucas was quicker on the draw, instinctively reaching for the blade at his waist.
But before he could react, Edward's shadow guards appeared behind him, silent as wraiths.
A flash of steel sliced through the air.
In one ruthless move, the tendons in Lucas's hands and feet were cut clean through.
He screamed in agony and crumpled to the ground, a useless heap.
Vivian's scream split the stormy night, sharp and desperate.
Edward ignored her completely.
He marched right up to Lucas and slammed his boot down on his face, grinding it in mercilessly.
"Raising your son?" Edward snarled.
He said, "Planning to have me die of some fake illness?
"Regent, huh?"
With every word, his boot dug harder into Lucas's face, the pressure growing with each accusation.
Lucas's face was quickly mangled and covered in blood, and all he could do was choke out pitiful, broken cries.
Vivian was so terrified by the scene that her legs went weak. She nearly blacked out from sheer panic.
She scrambled over to Edward, clinging to his leg for dear life, sobbing and begging him to spare her.
Vivian said, "Your Royal Highness, I was wrong. I swear I was. Please, for the baby's sake, just let me go this once. The baby's innocent. He's your own son."
Even at that moment, she was still stubbornly clinging to her lies.
"My own son?" Edward echoed, his voice raw with disbelief and pain.
Edward lowered his head, staring at her.
His smile was more frightening than the storm raging outside.
He reached out and gently caressed Vivian's swollen belly.
His touch was so gentle, like he was handling something precious.
Vivian's eyes lit up with hope.
But the very next second, his hand snapped into a fist, and with all his strength, he brought it crashing down.
Vivian let out the most gut-wrenching scream she'd ever made.
Hot crimson blood poured down her legs, the rain quickly sweeping it away.
"My flesh and blood? Do you think someone like you is worthy to carry it?" Edward's voice was cold as ice.
His voice was cold as ice.
From the shadowed corridor in the distance, I stood quietly beneath my umbrella, watching it all unfold.
The roar of wind and rain swallowed up the screams and desperate cries echoing from the garden.
But I could imagine it all too clearly.
I could picture blood streaming across the ground, rain washing it away until the whole place looked like a river of red.
Listening to those faint cries, I seemed to hear the sweetest symphony's final note.
A chill spread across my face.
I lifted a hand to touch it.
Turns out, it was only rain.