Chapter 356

Ethan turned on his heel and walked away without sparing Vivian another glance.

"Wait, Ethan! You're leaving already?"

Nathan's laughter died in his throat as he realized his joke had crossed a line.

"Come on, man, it was just a joke. She's still yours. Even if I saved her, I wouldn't touch her. You know I wouldn't."

"Do whatever you want."

Ethan gave a dismissive wave before striding out of the tense room.

Nathan stood frozen, stunned by the cold dismissal.

Was Ethan seriously just handing his wife over like this?

He turned back to Vivian, still bound and helpless, looking like some forbidden prize wrapped in silk.

For the first time, Nathan felt a flicker of shame.

"Don't worry, Vivian. He's just jealous. Now that he's gone... I'll take care of you."

His voice was softer than usual, almost gentle. But the politeness only made the situation more awkward.

Her dress clung to her, sheer enough to leave little to the imagination.

Any man would struggle to keep his thoughts pure.

"Mmmph!"

The tape over her mouth muffled her protests as she shook her head violently, eyes wide with panic.

"Easy, I'll get you out of this."

Nathan worked at the thick ropes coiled around her body.

Each brush of her skin against his sent a jolt through him. The scent of her hair—light, floral—made his pulse quicken.

"Almost... there..."

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus.

Damn.

This was harder than he'd expected.

Who knew the woman he'd once found so irritating could be this intoxicating?

Finally, the last knot gave way.

Nathan was sweating, but not from exertion.

Vivian stretched her limbs gingerly, the angry red marks from the ropes stark against her pale skin.

"I'll take off the mask too. You look... different like this. Softer. Not like the sharp-tongued woman I know."

His fingers brushed her cheek as he peeled the mask away.

Then—

Nathan recoiled like he'd been burned.

"Y-You're—"

His breath caught.

This wasn't Vivian.

The woman staring back at him had the same striking eyes—clear as a summer sky, with that same undercurrent of steel.

Her features were nearly identical.

A perfect doppelgänger.

No wonder he'd been fooled.

She ripped the tape from her mouth, tears welling in those familiar eyes.

"Thank you for saving me. If you hadn't come... I'd be at the mercy of monsters now. You gave me my life back. I'm yours now."

"What the hell?"

Nathan could only stare, his mind reeling.