Cassian shot a cold, disdainful look at Vivienne, her appearance utterly disheveled and humiliated. Holding Freya’s hand, he approached her, frowning with an air of contempt.

"Vivienne, whatever ridiculous fantasies you might indulge in privately, you’ve crossed the line," he said sharply.

He sneered, his voice laced with scorn. "Don’t you understand how meaningful a proposal is for a woman? You’ve ruined a precious moment for Freya. Isn’t it time you apologized?"

Freya tugged softly on Cassian’s sleeve, her voice delicate, yet her gaze at Vivienne glinting with pride. "Let’s not be too harsh on her," she murmured. "It must be hard for her, liking you so much but watching us find happiness together."

Cassian’s handsome features twisted in disdain as his gaze shifted to Vivienne, his expression as if she were something distasteful he’d rather avoid.

With a cold scoff, he said, "Why should I care about her feelings? It’s pathetic. She’s like a leech, clingy and unwilling to let go.”

The foul smell of raw egg clung to her hair as Vivienne stood silently, letting Cassian and Freya’s taunts wash over her.

Only the night before, Cassian’s embrace had been possessive, his kisses searing and unrelenting, as if he couldn’t pull away.

But now, his words sliced through her with a merciless edge, every ounce of warmth gone.

When Vivienne stayed silent, Cassian’s patience thinned and a shadow of irritation crossed his face.

"Vivienne, are you mute? Or deaf?" he spat. "I told you to apologize to Freya, didn’t you hear me?"

With nowhere left to turn, Vivienne raised her head, looking into the eyes of the man who had filled her world for eight years, feeling a jarring sense of unfamiliarity.

Yet perhaps, knowing Cassian’s egotistical pride, it was no surprise it had come to this.

At fifteen, Vivienne’s life had unraveled when her father’s failed investments buried them in debt.

In despair, he abandoned her and her mother, taking his life with a leap from a twenty-story building.

Her mother, alone and desperate, hid from creditors and worked herself into exhaustion, juggling four jobs until her health gave out and left her bedridden.

Vivienne had barely entered high school when her world collapsed.

When her life seemed to be at a dead end, Cassian appeared like a lone ray of light piercing the darkness.

At twenty, he paid off her father’s debts, arranged top medical care for her mother and even allowed Vivienne to continue her studies.

At first, she had been cautious around him, fearing hidden motives. But as the months passed, she realized he expected nothing in return and rarely visited her.

Yet the image of his handsome profile, as he held an umbrella for her during a rainstorm, had etched itself into her heart.

That memory had stayed with her for eight years.

Perhaps it was the dim evening light, but Vivienne found herself wondering if the man before her was still the Cassian she had once loved.

"Oh, Cassian, please don’t push Vivienne any further. She just…" Freya’s soft voice cut through the tension, only to be interrupted by Vivienne’s cool response.

"Fine. I’ll apologize."

The crowd, noisy moments before, fell into an abrupt silence.

The arrogance in Cassian’s eyes wavered for a brief moment as he frowned, eyeing Vivienne with growing suspicion. "Are you really apologizing to Freya? Don’t start cursing us behind our backs."

Vivienne clasped her hands over her abdomen and bowed deeply toward both Cassian and Freya. With genuine sincerity, she spoke, "I apologize. Today, I was wrong."

She shouldn’t have held onto any illusions about Cassian.

From the moment he had hurt her for Freya, Vivienne should have understood her place and severed her feelings. Instead, she had let herself become a spectacle, disgraced to the point of being cast aside.

In the end, she was about to leave the land where she had spent twenty-three years of her life, escaping to a foreign country.

"Ruining your proposal was my fault. If there’s anything I can do to make up for it, please let me know."

Her voice was quiet, humbling herself as if she truly regretted her actions. But instead of remorse, Cassian’s fury only deepened.

He looked at her with cold eyes, irritation pulsing through him at the very sight of her. "Who knows if you’re being sincere or just putting on an act? I don’t believe a word you say."

Freya playfully tugged at Cassian’s ear. "Oh, Cassian, don’t be so cruel."

She added, "Vivienne already apologized. What more do you want from her?"

By now, the security guards had started clearing the crowd, leaving only the three of them behind.

Cassian’s gaze turned hard as he spoke, "I want her to kneel and apologize to you!"

The words hung in the air and even Freya paused, momentarily stunned, before her shock gave way to a self-satisfied smirk.

Vivienne stared at him in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind?"

Years ago, when she’d been on her knees, drenched in rain and desperation, begging him for help against the debt collectors, Cassian had pulled her up and told her that her knees were only for heaven, for earth and for her parents, not for anyone else.

Now, this same man was demanding that she kneel to someone else.

Seeing the familiar fear and pleading in her eyes, Cassian’s pride swelled further, his voice dripping with venom as he scolded her.

"You humiliated Freya in front of everyone. Isn’t it only fair for you to kneel and apologize?"

"Vivienne, when did you become the kind of person who refuses to own up to her actions?"

Vivienne pressed her lips together, her whole body trembling with barely contained anger. "I won’t."

Most of the guests had already filed out of the venue and a security guard approached, inquiring when they planned to leave.

With tears brimming in her eyes, Freya wrapped her arms around Cassian. "Cassian, with Vivienne acting like this, can we even believe her apology was sincere?"

"She turned my proposal into a joke and still, I was willing to forgive her…"

Cassian frowned, gently pulling Freya closer. He then turned his piercing gaze to Vivienne.

"Vivienne, isn’t groveling to the wealthy what you do best? All we’re asking is for you to apologize to Freya, yet you refuse?"

"What’s the fuss? It’s just kneeling; it won’t kill you!"

Vivienne gritted her teeth, feeling the sharp throb of her jaw from the pressure of clenching it so tightly.

"Vivienne, are you seriously refusing to kneel and apologize to Freya?"

Sensing the growing danger, Vivienne backed away, trying to escape the escalating situation. "I won’t."

"I already said I’d do my best to make up for it! What else do you want?!"

Freya’s crying intensified and she whimpered to Cassian, her voice cracking. "A proposal… it only happens once…"

Cassian’s expression turned stormy, his patience slipping. He gently comforted Freya before giving the command, "Fine! Grab her!"

Cassian’s bodyguards, followed by the venue’s security, rushed forward in unison.

Despite her frantic struggles, Vivienne was no match for the men’s combined strength and soon found herself restrained.

With a mocking smile, Freya watched as Cassian yanked a fistful of Vivienne’s hair, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

The pain surged through her scalp and tears streamed down her face, leaving her completely humiliated.

When Vivienne thought her scalp might tear, Cassian finally released her with a sharp tug.

Breathless, she thought it was over until his cold voice sliced through the air. "Strip her wedding dress off.”

"What kind of person dares to act out in front of me?"

At Cassian’s command, the bodyguards moved in without hesitation.

Vivienne screamed, her body thrashing as she kicked and punched, trying to break free. But her struggles were in vain.

With a loud tear, the delicate lace of her wedding dress was ripped apart, exposing her skin to the cold night air.

As the fabric fell away, Vivienne finally crumbled, sobbing uncontrollably, curling into herself. But the bodyguards held her firm, forcing her to remain exposed as they stripped her down to her undergarments.

Standing close by, Cassian cradled Freya in his arms, murmuring soothing words to calm her. "Freya, stop crying. I’ve punished her."

"A lowly woman like her doesn’t deserve to wear a wedding dress in front of you."

"She deserves this. I’ll make sure she learns her lesson later."

With a glance of disdain, Cassian looked down at Vivienne. "Don’t try any more tricks with me. There won’t be a next time."

At his signal, the bodyguards released her. She immediately collapsed to the ground, hugging herself tightly as if trying to shield her dignity.

With a mockingly satisfied smile, Cassian wrapped his arm around Freya’s waist and walked away, leaving her broken and exposed.

One of the venue security guards leered at Vivienne, his gaze lingering on her with clear intent.

"Leaving already, Miss Waverly?" he sneered. "Or perhaps you'd like to have some fun with us?"

Vivienne’s face drained of color as she slowly rose to her feet, her legs unsteady. She turned and began to walk toward the exit.

The vast venue loomed dark and silent behind her, the only sound the soft patter of rain starting to fall. Drenched in the downpour, Vivienne felt a lump form in her throat, but she forced herself to keep walking.

Her phone was gone and she wandered aimlessly, trying to block out the hushed whispers and judgmental glances from the few remaining bystanders.

A wave of shame washed over her, but just as it seemed unbearable, a kind cleaning lady approached, offering her a coat to shield her from the cold. She also handed Vivienne her phone to help her find her way home. Vivienne didn’t know how she would have managed without the woman's kindness.