He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 72

Vivian’s father quickly picked up his phone to call Ethan. But to his surprise, it was Samantha who answered. The moment she heard his voice, she exploded like a street shrew.

“Your daughter’s the apple of your eye, but my son isn’t? If your whole family looks down on him, despises him from every angle—then forget this marriage!”

Samantha had her phone on speaker, and Vivian caught every word. Her face filled with panic.

“Then what about the baby I’m carrying?”

“Get rid of it. It’s not like Ethan can’t find another woman to give him a kid,” Samantha said with smug pride.

Vivian was stunned.

She had thought carrying Ethan’s baby would give her leverage over the Walker family—that she could get whatever she wanted. But to her shock, they didn’t care at all.

Samantha spewed her outrage and then hung up.

Vivian’s mother was so angry she started cursing. “That Samantha is too much! What, does she think her son is a damn crown prince with a whole harem to choose from? My daughter’s already pregnant with his child. They think they can just walk away? If they want to break it off, they better pay what’s owed!”

Vivian’s father cut her off. “Don’t make things worse. If you ask me, the reason Vivian and Ethan ended up like this is because of you. I told you from the beginning—treat him with some respect. He’s an educated man with pride. But you never listened. Always picking at him. And now? He’s finally decided he doesn’t need to cling to your so-called golden family.”

Vivian’s mother scoffed. “Like he’s some great catch. Aside from his education, he’s got nothing going for him. If you ask me, he’s not half the man Houston is. Sure, Houston’s job isn’t glamorous, but he’s handsome, generous to Rose, and always polite to his elders.”

Vivian’s father turned to his daughter. “Vivian, are you really going to break up with Ethan? You’d better think it through.”

For some reason, Houston’s gentle, refined face popped into Vivian’s mind. Compared to his wealth and warmth, what did Ethan even have?

“If he wants to break up, then fine! You think I can’t find someone better than him?” she shot back defiantly.

Her father, worried she was aiming too high, tried to reason with her. “Vivian, the whole neighborhood knows you’ve been living with Ethan. If the marriage falls apart now, people will treat you like you’re divorced. And a divorced woman? It’s not easy to find a man who’s a good match. Ethan hasn’t done anything unforgivable. Why not try making peace—”

“But Rose and Ethan were together for ten years,” Vivian cut in, “and she still found someone perfect. So can I.”

Her father sighed. “Rose and Ethan had a relationship built on pure affection and mutual respect. It was like a teenage Platonic romance. You two, on the other hand—you’ve already lived like a married couple.”

Her mother chimed in, encouraging her. “Come on, it’s the modern era! Who still cares about living together before marriage? If our daughter thinks she can do better than Ethan, we should support her.”

Her father could only sigh again.

That night, Vivian locked herself in her bedroom. She opened the window and quietly stood by it, straining to hear any sounds from next door.

Ever since she found out Houston was the Clarke family’s heir, her feelings toward him had become complicated.

There was admiration, reverence, and a deep yearning.

The walls in the old building were paper-thin. And with only a couple of meters between their bedrooms, it didn’t take much effort to hear what was going on next door.

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