The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 2

Old Mr. Sterling didn't seem entirely surprised by her call. He chuckled warmly. "What condition? Now, Vivian, if it's too outrageous, I won't agree."

"It's nothing outrageous. In fact, it's good news."

A cold smirk curved on Vivian's lips. "I want to move the wedding date forward."

"Forward to when?"

"In half a month."

Old Mr. Sterling paused in surprise before happily agreeing.

After ending the call, Vivian opened iMessage. Jonah had sent a barrage of texts, filled with sweet, caring words that now looked sickeningly genuine.

She scoffed, tossing the phone aside.

Time to sleep.

She fully expected to lie awake all night, but surprisingly, she slept straight through until morning.

Vivian ran a hand through her hair and sat up. Checking her phone, she saw it was already nine. The screen displayed two missed calls from Jonah.

She glanced at them before locking the screen and heading to the bathroom to get ready.

Returning to the villa she shared with Jonah, a suffocating wave of complicated emotions hit her.

That man... had been loving Amara right under her nose.

And she hadn't suspected a damn thing!

Vivian took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Perhaps she had done enough mental preparation at the door, because when Amara's obnoxious figure entered her line of sight, Vivian barely felt a ripple of emotion.

"Vivian, you're back."

The moment Amara saw her, she stood up, looking slightly flustered.

"I-I didn't have much going on today, so Dad asked me to come see you."

Vivian shot her a passing glance, then shifted her gaze to the glass of milk on the coffee table—filled to exactly sixty percent, a clear trademark of Jonah's exactness.

She let out a sharp laugh. "Did he send you to see me, or did he send you to get yelled at? Your dad really does love you. He knows I despise you, yet he constantly pushes you in my face."

"Vivian..."

"Drop the pitiful act. It doesn't work on me."

Amara's face turned as pale as paper. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a cold, elegant voice echoed from behind.

"Amara just wants to build a connection with you. There's no need to be so aggressive."

Jonah stood there in a gray casual outfit, his tall, imposing figure exuding an untouchable, aloof aura. Even just standing in the room, he commanded the entire space.

Vivian looked at him with a mocking smile. "What, is Dr. Granger feeling protective?"

Jonah frowned at her sarcastic tone.

"I'm fine, Dr. Granger. Vivian is just joking with me," Amara quickly stepped in to smooth things over. She wore a fragile smile that made her look incredibly helpless.

Vivian almost laughed out loud.

She wanted nothing more than to rip that fake mask right off her face, but she held back, knowing it would be much sweeter to destroy her slowly.

Jonah gave Vivian a deep, meaningful look, but when he turned back to Amara, his voice was so gentle it could melt ice. "Amara, are you feeling unwell? Let me take you home to rest."

"Why go back so soon?"

She never imagined she was the punchline to his twisted joke.

Fortunately, it was all about to end.

Vivian gave a self-deprecating smirk and took her time walking inside.

She stayed silent the entire way, while Amara's mouth never stopped moving. It really did look like a younger sister desperately trying to please her older sibling, constantly finding new topics to babble about.

"Vivian."

Jonah finally snapped, turning his dark gaze to the woman who had been radiating frost the whole time.

"If you didn't want to come, you didn't have to. But since you're here, at least show Amara some basic respect."

"Dr. Granger...!" Amara looked utterly panicked, terrified they might fight over her. She shook her head, forcing a smile. "It's okay, this is just how Vivian is. I'm used to it. It really doesn't matter."

The faint, bitter smile on her lips spoke volumes.

Vivian smirked, her icy gaze dropping to Amara's hand.

She was currently clinging to Jonah's arm, looking incredibly intimate.

"You really are used to it."

Amara acted as if she had just noticed Vivian's stare and immediately yanked her hand back. "I-I wasn't... Please don't misunderstand, I..."

"Stop stuttering like a broken record," Vivian waved her hand dismissively, her gaze flicking between the two of them. "If you like clinging to him, go ahead. Just make sure you never let go."

She scoffed, sweeping past them with an elegant, unbothered grace.

Jonah's brow furrowed heavily. He wanted to say something, but swallowed the words.

Only when Vivian was further ahead did he turn back and speak softly. "Amara, you're not well. Don't let her upset you. Whatever you want today, just pick it out. I'll buy it for you, alright?"