Vivian's tone was icy, her eyes devoid of all warmth.
She stared coldly at Lynn Shea.
"We have nothing to talk about. What's done is done, and I don't want any more ties with you. If you want to be a dignified stepmother and completely cast aside your own daughter, then just do it. Stop pushing me away while pretending to be caring."
"I've had enough of this fake performance. I don't need your pity—don't need your charity."
Lynn Shea saw her attitude and knew that last time, she really had gone too far.
Facing Vivian's resistance, her voice softened a bit without her realizing it.
"Vivian, come out, talk to Mom for a minute. Just two sentences, okay?"
After all, Tristan was here—there were things that couldn't be said in front of outsiders.
Vivian glanced at Tristan, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment before withdrawing.
He looked calm, like a bystander with nothing to do with any of it.
But she knew that his presence alone was a source of pressure.
