Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

Nirupama had her proud capital, with her skilled hands capable of rescuing women trapped in body anxieties. The dress she tailored perfectly fit Vivian’s figure, with the loose dress covering her pregnant belly. The puffy bubble sleeves complemented the loose cut of the dress, and the ankle-length skirt adorned her long legs, visually elongating them.

Vivian was originally slender, and aside from her slightly rounder face, once her belly was hidden, her collarbones and limbs didn’t reveal her pregnancy.

Vivian kissed Nirupama’s cheek excitedly, almost crying, “Thank you so much, Nirupama. You’ve saved me from my anxieties.”

Cupping her weary face, Vivian said, “I’ve been so worried that I couldn’t eat for days, couldn’t sleep well, and now I’ve got dark circles.”

Indeed. Nirupama glanced and saw the obvious dark circles under Vivian’s eyes. “Darling, you should trust my skills. I didn’t charge three times the usual fee for nothing.”This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

“Now you should put away the dress, go back, and get some rest to get rid of those dark circles,” Nirupama helped Vivian change out of the dress. “I miss my good friend Luzia. If she has time, please bring her to my bridal shop. I’d like to treat you both to honey cakes.”

“I will bring her to see you, Nirupama,” Vivian changed into her comfortable loungewear. “I think she’ll really miss your honey cakes.”

Nirupama joyfully clasped her hands together. “I look forward to your visit.”

…

On the day of the birthday party, Mare finally left the hospital and returned to his familiar position, accompanying Vivian to the party venue.

The birthday party was held at Mrs. Yazmin’s estate, a place Vivian was already familiar with. Yazmin welcomed her.

“Vivian, my dear,” Yazmin warmly kissed Vivian’s cheek, then looked behind her, not seeing Alajos.

Yazmin wasn’t particularly surprised but seemed a bit troubled. “Alajos is being quite inconsiderate, letting you come alone.”

“I’m sorry, Aunt,” Vivian said, linking her arm with Yazmin’s. “Alajos might be a little late; he’s been very busy lately.”

“I know he’s busy,” Yazmin complained in a low voice. “He’s busy every day. But he shouldn’t have let his beautiful wife come to the party alone. That’s not very gentlemanly.”

“It’s okay,” Vivian comforted Yazmin. “I guess I’m getting used to his busyness.”

“You’re too forgiving, Vivian,” Yazmin disapproved. “This won’t do. Any qualified husband shouldn’t let his wife attend a party alone. Being busy is no excuse.”

Yazmin was indignant. “I’ll help you educate him.”

After talking about Alajos, Yazmin brought up Luzia. “Luzia called me. She and her husband Joseph will be attending the party together.”

“Yes,” Vivian had known for a long time and had been looking forward to seeing Luzia again. “Have they arrived?”

Yazmin said, “They should be arriving soon. Luzia called to say they’ve just landed.”

Yazmin sighed. Luzia had always been her favorite and most cherished child. Her first husband, Paavo, may not have been a perfect husband, with the typical traits of men in the Mafia – possessive and controlling. But Paavo had always been a gentle and affectionate man. When Luzia was willing to submit to him, he was willing to give her enough warmth and care.

Joseph was different. Yazmin had seen many men in her life, of all kinds and styles. At first sight, she knew what kind of man Joseph was. Violent, dictatorial, selfish, and ruthless. How could she believe that he could treat Luzia kindly and lovingly?

Yazmin was worried, but she couldn’t tell Vivian. Joseph had a million flaws, but he was also Vivian’s brother.

Yazmin had always been a gentle person and didn’t want to make things difficult for Vivian.

Guests arrived one after another. Yazmin asked Vivian to go to the rest area; there were a few important guests she needed to personally welcome.

As Alajos’s aunt and the wife of Kamden’s brother Dalon Hargrave, the younger generations of the Hargrave family naturally had to attend Mrs. Yazmin’s birthday party. Except for a few who were temporarily away on missions, most people were there.

At Kamden’s funeral, Vivian had seen them once, and she had seen them again at her and Alajos’s wedding banquet. This was the third time Vivian had seen them so completely present.

Vivian politely greeted them and found a solosofa in a corner to sit down. As soon as she sat down, one of Alajos’s cousins spoke up, “Looks like big brother is really busy, to let his wife come alone.”

The man’s tone was suggestive, clearly hinting at some story. Indeed, before Vivian could respond, he sneered, “Vivian should have a good talk with big brother. My mother just wanted to visit Vivian, and big brother repeatedly obstructed it. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Vivian was some kind of scandalous mistress.”

Vivian’s face immediately turned cold. “No wonder Alajos keeps me hidden so well. It seems people outside have filthy mouths, and he’s afraid of polluting my ears.” Vivian forced a smile. “Cousin should understand his thoughtful intentions.”

The man suddenly stood up, cursing, “Who the hell are you calling foul-mouthed-ouch!”

Suddenly, a foot fiercely kicked the man’s knee pit from behind. He couldn’t help but let out a pained cry as his knee buckled, and the cup of lemon tea on the coffee table spilled all over the place. Simpson, with a grim expression, forcefully stepped on the man’s back. “Who the hell are you cursing?”

“Simpson! How dare you hit me?” Pressed down and in pain, the man’s thin chest hit the coffee table, the sound of cracking, he could hardly bear the pain. “Let go, oh! Let go…”

Simpson’s ferocity was evident, especially now. He seemed like he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time, with a worn-out and irritable look. He didn’t hold back, throwing a punch at the man’s nose, causing it to bleed.

Vivian was frightened. She had never seen this side of Simpson’s bad temper. In her presence, he had always been charming and cunning.

Not only Vivian was frightened, but also the other cousins present. They had never expected Simpson to suddenly act this way. It seemed he was ready to beat the man to a pulp.

Several quick-thinking cousins hurried forward to break up the fight, but unexpectedly, like a madman, Simpson lashed out at anyone who touched him. The men of the Hargrave family were all spirited and a bit crazy. Simpson’s indiscriminate punching led to a brawl among the cousins.

The situation escalated too quickly, and the cousins couldn’t intervene, only watching in horror as the chaos of broken porcelain and futile screams unfolded.

“Enough, stop fighting!” Mare quickly whisked Vivian away from the battleground, anxiously calling out Simpson’s name. “Stop, Simpson! Simpson!”

The men, with their eyes bloodshot, couldn’t hear her feeble plea, and Simpson took a hit to the abdomen.