Grayson stormed down the street, his coat flaring behind him. The apartment's calm had been shattered, replaced by a fire of anger he could no longer suppress. Julian's name echoed in his mind. Someone had dared to convince Vivienne to throw everything away and he wasn't going to let it happen.
He found Julian outside a café, laughing with a friend, completely unaware of the storm approaching. Grayson didn't hesitate. He grabbed Julian, shoved him against the wall, and threw the first punch. A second punch followed shortly, sharp and furious then his voice asking Julian; "why did you tell her to leave me?", fueled by betrayal and jealousy.
Julian staggered, holding his face, and shook his head. "Grayson… I swear, I don't know anything about a divorce. Vivienne and I are just friends! I've never… I've never—"
Grayson stopped mid-motion, chest heaving. His mind spun. If Julian was telling the truth, then… then who had convinced Vivienne to do this? Frustration boiled over, and he pulled out his phone, dialing Vivienne's sister.
"Why? Why is she doing this?" he shouted into the line, pacing. "She's throwing away everything we've shared for a random guy! She doesn't care, she's just… just letting it go!" The anger made him forget his own faults the countless times he had ignored her, the moments he should have spoken, touched, claimed her. He was too furious to remember that he had never acknowledged her properly.
Later, back at the apartment, Grayson entered silently, but the tension radiated from him like heat. Vivienne was in the kitchen, stirring a pot with focused care, unaware of the emotional storm he carried.
"Vivienne," he said, voice low, trembling with barely restrained anger. "Why? Why do you want to leave me? Why don't you care?"
Vivienne froze, glancing at him. "Grayson… I—" "Why are you doing this? You're mine, and no one else would have you. Do you understand?" His hands clenched at his sides, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
Confused and startled by his intensity, Vivienne instinctively reached to turn off the stove, accidentally brushing her hand against the hot surface. She yelped in pain.
Grayson's anger broke instantly into panic. "Vivienne!" He rushed forward, cupping her hand, trying to soothe the burn.
"Grayson, stop!" she pushed him back, wincing. "I… I just need a moment."
Before he could react further, she ran, her small figure disappearing up the stairs toward her room. Grayson stood frozen, guilt sinking into his chest.
From her room, muffled sobs reached him. Each soft sound carved deeper into his heart. The realization hit hard: in his rage, he had scared her, hurt her, and driven her away.
Grayson sank to the floor, guilt and desire twisting together. I can't lose her. I won't. But how… how do I make her see that I've always wanted her?
The apartment was silent again, except for her quiet sobs, and he sat there, overwhelmed by a storm he had created with his own hands.