Not Just on Paper

Vivienne’s POV

I slipped back into the building, doing my best to keep my breathing even. My pulse was still somewhere near the stratosphere, but I forced my face into something neutral. Graceful. Controlled. If I’d learned anything from being married to Valentin, it was how to pretend everything was alright even when it wasn’t really.

The reception was still buzzing, lights soft and golden, mu