Shirley imed that John had returned from Ennd for Luzia’s sake, intending to take her away from Houston because of his affection for her. However, Luzia had never mentioned John to her even once.


    Vivian was unaware of Luzia’s thoughts on John. Did she know that John hade back to the country for her? Was she aware of his feelings for her? And did she harbor any feelings for John herself?


    Vivian wanted to ask, but upon seeing Luzia’s tear-stained face, she couldn’t bear to pose the question.


    jos was the Capo of Houston, his word wasw there. He had decided to marry Luzia off to Joseph, and what could John, his subordinate, do but be another heartbroken soul?This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Vivian sighed, turning to gaze at the rapidly passing scenery outside the window.


    If she had nevere to Houston, if she had never married jos, how different could her life have been? Perhaps she would have gone to college, earned a degree, found a respectable job, and then met her prince charming. She might have fallen in love, got married, had children, and walked through life enveloped in happiness and joy until her eightieth birthday. The mere thought felt so blissful, it was like a dream.


    But with a blink, the dream was meant to end. She had no prince charming, no children; she was married to jos, trapped in a loveless marriage, struggling to break free. However, since love was absent, why couldn’t she have her own career?


    Luzia was right; jos’s ck card had no limit-it could buy all the material things she desired, like online courses and a newptop. She could hide away in her room and study online, attend the school she wanted, and learn the art she aspired to. She could earn a bachelor’s degree and even pursue a master’s or a doctoral degree to be an outstanding performing artist.


    Vivian was already imagining herself on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House, with fans screaming below and her epting bouquets of victory amid their jubtion. She remained jos’s wife; she had lost love, but she could have a career, happiness.


    The thought was so delightful that Vivian couldn’t help but smile.


    “What are you thinking about?” Luzia, noticing her expression, smiled in turn. “You look very happy.”


    “Ah… I was thinking, maybe I should sign up for some online courses,” Vivian replied. “I want to continue my studies.”


    “That’s a great idea,” Luzia responded with surprise, pleased to see Vivian not mired in sorrow. “Do you know, I once thought about applying for a psychology degree at the University of Houston?”


    “Why didn’t you?” Vivian asked, puzzled.


    “Because I married Paavo, and he wished for me to be a housewife. Whether his wife had a degree wasn’t important to him.”


    If it were jos, Vivian would have cursed him as a ‘selfish man.’


    Luzia patted her back, smiling. “Actually, it’s not a big deal. I think he was right; being a wife and mother is more important for a woman. I mean, babies are adorable, and both they and a husband require a lot of care.”


    Vivian remembered that Luzia had been with Paavo for several years but had never had a baby.


    “It’s such a pity; Paavo and I weren’t blessed with children,” Luzia said with a sigh. “I miscarried twice and before I could get pregnant a third time, Paavo died on a mission with Uncle Kamden.”


    “I’m so sorry,” Vivian embraced her. “I didn’t know.”


    “It’s alright,” Luzia said, snuggling into her soft embrace. “I was initially relieved that I didn’t have a child. My child wouldn’t have to suffer from losing his father, and I wouldn’t have to be a widow with a child. You know, no man wants to marry a woman with children; it’s a loss of face for them.”


    The car slowly stopped in front of arge building. Luzia took the opportunity to slip out of her embrace and without waiting for Mare to open the door, she stepped out herself.


    Perhaps she didn’t want Vivian to see her reddened eyes.


    Vivian sighed and followed her out, “Maybe you don’t mind, but I still want to say sorry for upsetting you, even if it wasn’t intentional.”


    Luzia shook her head, her radiant smile returning, “Let’s forget those troubles for now, being here. Come on, let’s indulge in some shopping.”


    Lifting the hem of her dress, she revealed little ck round-toed shoes underneath. “I think I need a new pair of shoes.”


    Vivian, adjusting her mood, asked yfully, “With sparkling diamonds?”


    “That’s toomorous, suited for dancing at cocktail parties,” Luzia said regretfully. “I have many pairs like that. Now, let’s find something ordinary and simple; I want white ones.”


    “We could go to an Italian restaurant for lunch; I’m craving delicious pizza.”


    “Good idea,” Luzia agreed.


    Luzia was right; the satisfaction of shopping desires could indeed make one happy. Vivian was reluctant to admit that she was a materialistic girl, but being dragged by Luzia to try on pretty dresses and seeing her morous reflection in the mirror, Vivian had to acknowledge, once again, Luzia was correct.


    Luzia had a strong sense of fashion, and every piece of clothing and essory she picked out for Vivian was irresistible. She wanted to refuse, yet couldn’t help wanting to buy them, until the car’s trunk was filled with bags of all sizes. It was then Vivian realized how wild their shopping spree had been.


    But despite Luzia’s enthusiasm in choosing clothes for her, she bought very little for herself. Whenever Vivian asked, Luzia would say she had something simr at home. After a while, Vivian stopped asking.


    Vivian knew they weren’t as happy as they appeared.


    Back at the apartment, as expected, jos had not returned, and while Vivian felt a hint of disappointment, she was getting used to it, sometimes even feeling relieved.


    jos’s presence was too overpowering, making Vivian feel uneasy whenever he was in the apartment. But in his absence, the apartment was hers to roam freely, to walk in every corner, to sit on the sofa eating chips, to lie in bed reading, to turn on the radio and practice her musicals.


    Speaking of musicals, Vivian found jos’sptop and nestled on the living room sofa, searching for online courses to enroll in. She meticulously reviewed the course schedules, noting the registration and start dates. In a few months, she could begin her studies.


    Vivian was excited; her college dream, her Metropolitan Opera House stage, awaited her.


    The elevator chimed. Luzia hadn’t left, Mare stood in a corner of the living room staring at her, so it could only be jos returning.


    Vivian abruptly shut down theputer-she didn’t know why she felt the need to hide her online course enrollment from jos, though she knew she couldn’t really keep it a secret from him.


    jos entered the apartment, and Vivian, with theptop in her arms and wearing arge, fluffy robe, curled up on the sofa, her blue eyes fixed on his entrance.


    He set down his keys, took off his shoes, shed his coat, and unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt, which had someone’s blood on it. Vivian obviously noticed, and jos saw her eyshes flutter.