Chapter 346

Author’s POV

Ryan pulled the car door open for Vivian, who climbed in with slumped shoulders. Instead of heading toward any hospital, he directed the driver toward home.

"Daddy," Vivian’s small voice broke the silence, "you promised we’d find Rancy! Why are we going home?"

Ryan sighed, keeping his voice gentle. "Vivian, Rancy’s in the hospital right now. Her mother told me she needs complete rest without visitors. Once she’s better, you’ll see her again."

Vivian’s eyes immediately welled with tears. "You’re lying! I heard Rancy’s daddy myself! He said she’s transferring schools and I’ll never see her again!"

Her emotional outburst caught Ryan off guard. He couldn’t understand why his daughter had formed such a deep attachment to Rancy in such a short time. The Dreamland Studio had only recently relocated to London, which meant Rancy hadn’t been at kindergarten long.

"Vivian, please calm down—"

But Vivian wasn’t having it. The moment the car stopped, she yanked her hand away from his and stormed into the house. She was tired of adult lies and excuses.

For days afterward, Vivian gave her father the silent treatment. She refused to attend school and spent her days brooding by her window. With her birthday approaching, she showed no excitement whatsoever.

On the morning of her birthday, Ryan cleared his entire schedule to stay home. When he knocked on her bedroom door and received no response, he reluctantly pushed it open to find her staring out the window, face completely devoid of joy.

"Vivian, it’s your special day. Guests will be arriving soon. Let’s get you ready."

She shook her head without turning around. "I don’t want a birthday party."

"I haven’t been able to reach Rancy for days. She’s not coming."

Ryan sighed, surprised by how deeply this friendship had affected his daughter. He understood her disappointment—after all, the elaborate celebration had been planned largely because Rancy was supposed to attend.

"How do you know she definitely won’t come?" he asked softly.

Vivian froze, a tiny spark lighting in her eyes as she finally turned to face him. "Daddy... do you think she might still come?"

Ryan wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t bear seeing his daughter so unhappy on her birthday. "It’s possible. So you can’t stay upset like this. Other friends are coming too, all excited to celebrate with you. Let’s get you dressed."

He pulled out the custom-made dress he’d had specially designed for her. With a dramatic sigh that seemed far too grown-up for her four years, Vivian finally relented and prepared to greet her guests.

As the hour approached, Manor House buzzed with activity. Children from Vivian’s kindergarten arrived with their parents, many of whom viewed the invitation as an opportunity to network with Ryan Blackwood himself.

Throughout it all, Vivian stood by the entrance, searching each new arrival for Rancy’s face, only to be disappointed time after time.

Eventually, a servant approached her. "Miss Vivian, it’s time to start the party. Everyone’s waiting for you to blow out your candles and make a wish."

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Serena was completing Rancy’s discharge paperwork when she noticed her daughter staring at her watch with confusion.

"Mommy, where Vivian button gone? Watch broken?" Rancy asked, her small fingers fumbling with the device Serena had secretly replaced during her hospital stay.

Serena bit her lip, taking the replacement watch. "Yes sweetie, it’s broken. Mommy get new one tomorrow. We go home now, okay?"

Rancy shook her head firmly, her curls bouncing. "No! Vivian birthday party! You promised!"

Serena froze. With everything happening—running between hospital and studio—she’d completely forgotten. "Rancy, you just got better. Need rest. Home now."

When Serena tried taking her hand, Rancy pulled away with surprising strength for her tiny frame. "Want go! Make Vivian cake! She miss me!"

Serena frowned, unaccustomed to such defiance from her usually sweet daughter. "Rancy, listen to Mommy. Rest first."

"No! You lying!" Rancy burst into tears, her voice rising with emotion.

Her pearl-like tears streamed down her chubby cheeks, drawing concerned glances from passing nurses. Serena felt her heart clench painfully.

"No cry, baby. You just got better. Get sick again bad," Serena explained gently. Before discharge, the doctor had emphasized rest and avoiding kindergarten for a while.

"If no go Vivian party, me very very sad," Rancy sobbed, her crying unrelenting.

Serena sighed in defeat. "Okay, stop crying. Mommy take you."

Rancy’s tears vanished instantly, replaced by a brilliant smile. "Really? Promise?"

"Yes, but give present and go home quick. Need sleep, okay?"

Rancy pouted but knew pushing further wasn’t smart.

"If no agree, no go at all," Serena said firmly.

"I promise, Mommy," Rancy relented, swinging Serena’s hand affectionately.

Knowing the party was at Manor House, Serena quickly got directions. With no time to bake the cake Rancy had talked about, they stopped for a store-bought one and picked a gift at a nearby toy shop.

As they arrived at Manor House, Rancy excitedly clutched her presents. Serena hesitated, choosing to remain in the car where she could watch without being seen.

The security guard at the entrance smiled at the tiny girl with her oversized gift.

"No go in," Rancy said politely. "Call Vivian please? Go back with Mommy soon." She pointed toward the waiting car.

Understanding, the guard nodded. "Okay, little one. Wait here."

Inside, Vivian was about to face her birthday cake when the news reached her. Abandoning the candles and waiting guests, she bolted for the entrance with Ryan following close behind.

"Vivian wait for Rancy all day," one child remarked to another.

"They like sisters! Wish Rancy play with me too."

"No way! Rancy only play with Vivian at school."

Vivian sprinted on her little legs, reaching the entrance breathlessly. When Rancy spotted her, her whole face lit up.

"Vivian!"

From the car, Serena heard her daughter’s delighted call and sighed. If only Vivian belonged to any other family—anyone but Ryan Blackwood’s—she wouldn’t need to tear apart this friendship.

"Rancy! Hospital done? Feel better?" Vivian examined her friend anxiously, looking her up and down with concern.

Rancy nodded. "All better now! No worry!" She held out her gift. "Happy birthday! Stay healthy forever and ever!"

Vivian couldn’t help laughing at the formal wish.

"Why laugh? " Rancy asked, slightly offended as she pushed the present forward.

"Very good. Come inside, Rancy! Lots friends here!"

Vivian reached for Rancy’s hand, but the younger girl pulled back.

"Can’t, Vivian. Promised Mommy go home rest. No stay party."

Vivian’s smile faded. "Why not? You leaving school too?"

"Leaving?" Rancy looked confused, turning toward the car where her mother sat.

Alarmed, Serena quickly exited the vehicle, determined to extract her daughter before things escalated.

"Rancy, gave gift. Go now—you promised."

"Mommy, why Vivian say leaving school? Why?" Rancy’s eyes filled with fresh tears. Something felt different since getting sick. "Mommy lying to me?"

Serena sighed heavily. "Not lying, baby. Just no tell yet. We need go home country. You sick too much here—weather bad for you."

She firmly took Rancy’s hand, attempting to lead her away.

"No, Mommy! No go!" Rancy’s struggle came with a shrill cry unusual for her normally gentle voice.

Ryan, who had just caught up with Vivian, froze at the sound. As he turned toward the commotion, his eyes locked on Serena’s profile. In that instant, all color drained from his face as recognition struck him like lightning.