Chapter 13: Roots and Wings
With Julian completely excised from her life, Vivian threw herself into preparing for the baby. The estate’s largest guest room was transformed into a serene, woodland-themed nursery.
One evening, as Vivian was folding tiny, soft cotton onesies, Arthur leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a nostalgic smile.
"Your mother used to do that," Arthur said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "She would sit for hours, just folding and refolding your little clothes before you were born. She wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for you."
Vivian paused, resting a hand on her belly. Her mother had passed away when Vivian was only ten, leaving a massive void that Arthur had tirelessly tried to fill.
"Do you think she’d be disappointed in me?" Vivian asked, voicing the insecurity that had been nagging at her. "For choosing a man like Julian? For ending up a single mother?"
Arthur walked into the room and sat in the rocking chair, shaking his head firmly. "Vivian, your mother would be fiercely proud of you. You recognized a toxic environment and you had the immense courage to walk away to protect your child. That is the very definition of a good mother."
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He leaned forward, looking into her eyes. "Being a single mother doesn't mean you are alone. You have me. You have this entire estate. This baby is going to grow up surrounded by people who love them unconditionally, not people who weigh their worth in gold and status."
Tears pricked Vivian’s eyes, but this time, they were tears of profound gratitude.
