CHAPTER 60: – HUMAN? ME? –

The moment stepped into the elevator, someone rushed in after her. Before she could react, a hand grabbed her collar and slammed her into the wall.

Savannah glared at her. "You think you’re untouchable now, huh?"

"Let go of me!" Viviana snapped, frowning.

"You really think you’re ever going to amount to anything? Look at you! You ran away from home, married a lowlife, and still walk in here with your head held high?" Savannah’s hand slid from her collar to her throat, squeezing. "You put my daughter in the hospital and think I’ll let you get away with it? You’re not arrested right now because your father didn’t allow it. But don’t think even for a second that I’m done with you!"

Viviana grabbed her wrist and tried to pry her hand off her throat. She could barely breathe, the pain from her nails spreading across her body.

"I’ll break you and that useless broken mother of yours." Savannah laughed. "You think putting her in a different hospital will fix her? Get over it girl! Your mother’s gone mad and nothing you do is going to save her, not even if you waste mill–"

Viviana shoved her hard with such force that she stumbled backwards, hitting her back against the elevator door.

She coughed and rubbed her throat where the nails had pressed in. She dragged in air, then looked at Savannah, eyes narrowed and cold.

"Your daughter?" she scoffed in amusement. "The hospital is exactly where she should be. Now we both have someone in the hospital." Her eyes thinned vehemently. "My mother was improving until you went and ruined it. So tell me, Savannah, how does it feel now? Not nice, right? To have someone you love in a hospital bed, it doesn’t feel great, does it?"

"You b**ch!" Savannah hissed.

"Teach your daughter manners." Viviana smiled at her. "It’s wrong to touch what belongs to someone else. And she touched what was mine. What? Did she think he was one of those things she picks up in a bar and brings home?"

"I’m not judging through. I could not care less what Serena does." She chuckled softly.

"But you see... my husband is off limits. She should never put her filthy hands on him ever again. She shouldn’t even breathe near him because this crazy person my father made me into... isn’t exactly someone I can control whenever I please. That man–"

She walked up to Serena.

"–He belongs to me."

The elevator dinged open. Viviana stepped out and strode toward the glass doors to leave the building.

Savannah stayed where she was, chest heaving in uncontrolled breathing.

"I warned you, Amadeo," she muttered, lowering her head as she chuckled. "You gave her too many rooms and now, she’s off leash and you can’t pull her back."

.....

Viviana pushed into the apartment, slipped off her shoes and walked in. Her eyes dripped to the high box on the table.

That made her pause.

"What is that?"

Her brows furrowed in wonder, but before she could check it, footsteps sounded, prompting her to lift her head toward the door of the bedroom.

Nikolas appeared, towel slung around his neck, hair wet, pants on with only his upper body left bare and still damp.

Her throat worked in a thick swallow. Her lips parted.

The man met her gaze, ran a hand through his hair and came toward her with a small smile.

She watched him and the closer he got, the more she took a step back.

He paused momentarily at her behaviour and tilted his head, a bit lost. "Viviana?"

"D-don’t come close," she stuttered.

"Why?"

She said, "Just... just don’t," while shaking her head.

Her head was down, but it didn’t hide the red on her cheek and nose. Even her breathing was off. Why was she reacting like this? It wasn’t like this was the first she’d ever seen him shirtless.

Suddenly she gasped as if he’d stolen from her. "Is that my shampoo you used?"

Nikolas smirked at her tone and dropped the towel around his neck. "Yes. I ran out."

"Nothing to worry about though. I liked it," he added. "Smelled real nice."

"Oh? W-well..." Viviana inhaled slowly. "Right. I’m glad you did."

She pointed at the box. "What is that?"

Nikolas picked it up and handed it to her. "We’re going to the event tomorrow night. I got you a dress."

"A dress?" She was taken aback.

"I think you’ll like it," he said.

She took it and opened it. The moment she saw the dress, her eyes widened. "This... this is Aceto’s brand."

"Mhm. Why?"

"What do you mean ’why’?" She looked at him like he’d lost it. "This is expensive, Nikolas! What were you thinking?"

Nikolas blinked several times. "Do you... not like it?"

"You shouldn’t have done this. This costs a lot. And you’re... What is going on in your head?" Her hand went to the ruby necklace around her neck. "I don’t even want to imagine how much this necklace cost you, but I know it wasn’t cheap and now this too? You–"

"Oh." Nikolas nodded suddenly. "You’re worried I spent too much, is that it?"

"Yes!"

"Why are you worried?"

"Because," she began, exasperated. "You’re not in that kind of position."

"You don’t know that."

"Nikolas, you..." She took a deep breath. "I mean, this is really sweet, but you don’t have to give me things."

"Why not?" His brows drew together. "You’re my wife. I should be able to give you things if I want to."

"Yes, but... This is... Nikolas, you’re taking this too seriously."

Viviana set the box down on the table and started walking out of the bedroom.

"We didn’t get married with the intention of staying together forever," she said. "I told you that eventually, we’ll separate from each other. We will go our separate ways, so this is–"

A palm clamped over her mouth from behind and muffled her words. Then. she felt her body pressed back against his solid frame, his free hand catching her wrist. with no intention to let go.

"Mmph–Nikolas–"

"Don’t say that again," Nikolas’s voice vibrated, low and angry. What was he so angry about? "We’re not separating. That’s never going to happen, Viviana."

She blinked in shock, stunned. Slowly, she tilted her head upward to look at him. His face was hard, devoid of any form of earlier amusement he held. No teasing, no smile. He looked mad, offended at what she’d said as if she’d cursed at him.

"Nikolas–"

"You’re mine, Viviana. How many times must I make it clear?" he said, taking his hand off her mouth and sliding it down her throat, making her swallow. "You don’t just throw me away. That idea died the moment you started looking at me the way you do. When you slept curled up against me. When you smiled at me and only at me. And I’m not really ready to let you go. I’ll never be ready to do that. And I don’t intend to let anyone else other than me, have you."

Viviana’s mouth parted. She’d forgotten how to breathe. "What are you saying...?" she wheezed out, barely audible.

"You’re mine is what I’m saying."

He lifted her chin.

"And I would give you if that’s what you want." ’Because I don’t know how else I can be human enough for you’

If he knew how to, he’d be more than willing to turn human for her as long as it meant that he could love her without being afraid of what she might think of him./

Viviana stared up at him. She swallowed. Her eyes softened.

She turned and gently touched his face, her fingers brushing his eyelids. "You say all that to me like you mean it, but..."

"...You look sad, Nikolas, like you wish you didn’t mean it."

She pulled away from him and walked off.

Nikolas stood there with his gaze downward, frozen in his spot.

"What... am I even doing?" he muttered, rubbing between his brows. A short, humourless laugh left him. "Human? Me? What a joke!"