The days stretched slowly into weeks. Vivian had settled so deeply into the Cole mansion that she moved as if she had always belonged there. The white walls, the polished marble floors, the endless expanse of luxury—it all enveloped her like a crown she wore with pride. Her belly was slowly rounding into a small bump, visible now when she wore her tightest dresses.

That afternoon, she came from the kitchen into the living room, phone pressed to her ear. She laughed as her free hand caressed th