[That’s great news, honey! You have her, she took the bait! Hook, line and sinker!] Alice was enthusiastically talking at the other end of the line. [I’m great you are following my advice down to a T. I can’t believe she feels that way about me---and to think I’m going to pretend as your bestfriend. Her radar is amazing.]Brandon updates Alice every day. When he suggested to fly to Greece to see Olivia, she was against it. Primarily because she couldn’t see what they’d be doing there and she doesn’t trust Brandon’s judgement when it comes to Olivia.But their plans have to push through. They’ve already invested too much time and effort to back out now. Alice is optimistic about their plan and Olivia just put the cherry on top. [Why did you leave her when she said she loves you?]He paused for a minute, “because if she sees I’m hesitant. It will give her reason to believe Harvey. That man has somehow got into her head.”[You are brilliant, honey! I love you! Keep this up. By the way, w
Olivia’s POV:Ethan is still asleep so I decide to leave first. I’m walking home from Emma’s when my phone starts ringing in my pocket. Pulling it out and seeing Brandon’s name, I let it ring and slide it back in place. His calls have been getting more frequent, with repeated texts to get me to answer him all day. Trying my hardest to ignore him; I can’t face talking to him right now.My heart is in no way ready for another rejection from him, and I’ve been trying everything I can to keep him out of my head. I breathe a sigh of relief when it stops ringing, knowing he won’t leave a voicemail because he has a weird aversion to those, and I’m hoping he doesn’t send another text.I can’t deny that I miss him too, but it will never let me move on if I fold now.I know that’s all this is. He’s missing me because he can’t get hold of me. In time, he’ll get used to it, and then he won’t notice anymore. I have to protect my heart!My cell beeps with a new text, despite hoping he wouldn’t, and
Olivia’s POV:I can’t stop running my fingers through my hair as I sit across from Millie in the bistro café we have come to for drinks. Lifting the deep black strands of hair and twirling them nervously. I have no idea what my Emma, Theo or Harvey or even Ethan will say about this drastic change, but the reflection in the hair salon showed me a completely transformed woman. I look and feel, for the first time, that I look my age, and the number of well-dressed men turning our way in passing has not just been for my new friend.Gone are the long blonde strands and in its place, a more angled, sleek facial shape. Framed with dark hair that seems to make my eyes stand out crazily, as though the blue is somehow more intense and less washed out. I couldn’t stop staring at the stranger in the mirror when she showed me the new look. I look like some vampy woman who needs a sexy dress. Millie then attacked me with winged liner and red lipstick, declaring me her new hair bestie, and invited m
Olivia’s POV:The past days were a blur. Millie and I spent the night together at a club and the I had fun. I don’t even know what time we headed to her place. I must have fallen asleep quickly as I wake to noise, only half aware of Millie telling me she was going out and falling back into oblivion after the door slammed shut in the outer living area. I think I drift off again into oblivion because everything becomes confusing and time seems to drift away.I jump up with the pounding noise coming from the door.I get up warily, nursing a hangover. The knocking became persistent.“I’m coming!” I yell out as I try to cool the hammering of my heart to a steadier pace. Still foggy-headed from sleep, trembling from my rude awakening and realizing I never even picked up a robe to cover myself.Without hesitation or even checking the peephole, I open the safety lock and ease the heavy door, just enough to pop my head around to see who is making all that infernal, impatient noise, with an irr
Olivia’s POV:I was stunned. No, shocked to the core when an expensive looking man waited for me in the private visitor’s lounge in Bedford Women’s Correctional.“Hello, Olivia.” His teeth were pearly white I swear they could’ve blinded me.“Hi…I think you have the wrong Olivia…”He chuckled. “No, I have the right Olivia. You’re Olivia Charleston, right?”Damn, even his laughter sounded costly. Who is this man? I felt like a lump was blocking my throat so I nodded like a sea lion. With my orange outfit, I might pass as one. He motioned me to take the seat adjacent to his and sat down.“My name is Harvey Brown. I’m Meredith’s lawyer and executioner.” He extended his hand and I took it but very gingerly. “I heard you’re a free woman tomorrow.”“Meredith? She’s alive?” I realize that it was an inappropriate question and ignored everything he just said. “I am so sorry…it’s just that…the last time I saw her…she was being wheeled to an ambulance. They said it’s heart attack. I…I haven’t hea
Olivia’s POV:“Okay…where am I supposed to stay?” I asked.My mother pulled out two hundred dollars and tossed it on the table carelessly as if she were giving money to a beggar. “Here, take this. Find a motel or rent a place. It's up to you.”I forced a bitter smile. “And what about Paul? What does he say about this?”Just then, Paul emerged from the bathroom. Without hesitation, he said, “Of course not. You're my sister. Of course, I'm on your side. If you want to stay here, I'll clear the room for you.”It seemed he still cared about me. I nodded with relief. “I’d like to stay for a while. I missed you guys.”But as soon as I said that, Paul’s expression froze. He stood there, looking at me, but made no move to clean the room. I stared back, puzzled. Did I say something offensive?At this time, Miles walked up to me, her voice sharp. “Olivia, have you lost your mind in prison? How can you be so inconsiderate? Can't you see how cramped the house is? Even if we clear out the room, it
Brandon’s POV:I am Aunt Meredith’s only family and I have high hopes for myself. My Aunt is a complicated person. She married three times and her wealth came from all the marriages that did not give her any children. To this day, she’s Meredith Walton. Her last marriage was lucrative.She was a Pembroke and wealthy in her own right before she married all the ridiculously wealthy men. Until this day, I had no idea how a woman who doesn't have an active social life managed to ensnare three of America's wealthiest. Aunt Meredith's conviction wasn't even disclosed to the public eye. Because she's freakishly wealthy and had connections everywhere---people assumed she was just chilling in one of her many properties in the tropics when, in fact, she was serving time in Bedford Women's Correctional.Her life was pretty scandalous too. But that’s beside the point. My main concern here is who takes over all her assets. Harvey Brown’s secretary smiled at me when I walked into his elegant office
Olivia’s POV:That night, I still couldn’t get that scene yesterday from my head. I have a feeling that it was going to live rent-free in my head from now on.Miles rubbing her belly and speaking to me mercilessly.My father talking as he put out his cigarette and said coldly, “Liv, you're grown up now. It's time you understood the importance of contributing to the family instead of causing trouble.”Each of their words felt like a sharp knife piercing my heart. Despite my overwhelming disappointment, my eyes welled up. I looked at them and said hoarsely, “No wonder you never visited me once during my five years in prison. I thought you were just too busy to see me. But now I see you only saw me as a moneymaker. You kicked me to the curb without hesitation the moment I couldn't make money anymore.”I tilted my head back, fighting to hold back my tears. Then, I asked, “So you're all determined to kick me out today?”“Yes!” They all replied without hesitation.Clearly, there was no room
Olivia’s POV:The past days were a blur. Millie and I spent the night together at a club and the I had fun. I don’t even know what time we headed to her place. I must have fallen asleep quickly as I wake to noise, only half aware of Millie telling me she was going out and falling back into oblivion after the door slammed shut in the outer living area. I think I drift off again into oblivion because everything becomes confusing and time seems to drift away.I jump up with the pounding noise coming from the door.I get up warily, nursing a hangover. The knocking became persistent.“I’m coming!” I yell out as I try to cool the hammering of my heart to a steadier pace. Still foggy-headed from sleep, trembling from my rude awakening and realizing I never even picked up a robe to cover myself.Without hesitation or even checking the peephole, I open the safety lock and ease the heavy door, just enough to pop my head around to see who is making all that infernal, impatient noise, with an irr
Olivia’s POV:I can’t stop running my fingers through my hair as I sit across from Millie in the bistro café we have come to for drinks. Lifting the deep black strands of hair and twirling them nervously. I have no idea what my Emma, Theo or Harvey or even Ethan will say about this drastic change, but the reflection in the hair salon showed me a completely transformed woman. I look and feel, for the first time, that I look my age, and the number of well-dressed men turning our way in passing has not just been for my new friend.Gone are the long blonde strands and in its place, a more angled, sleek facial shape. Framed with dark hair that seems to make my eyes stand out crazily, as though the blue is somehow more intense and less washed out. I couldn’t stop staring at the stranger in the mirror when she showed me the new look. I look like some vampy woman who needs a sexy dress. Millie then attacked me with winged liner and red lipstick, declaring me her new hair bestie, and invited m
Olivia’s POV:Ethan is still asleep so I decide to leave first. I’m walking home from Emma’s when my phone starts ringing in my pocket. Pulling it out and seeing Brandon’s name, I let it ring and slide it back in place. His calls have been getting more frequent, with repeated texts to get me to answer him all day. Trying my hardest to ignore him; I can’t face talking to him right now.My heart is in no way ready for another rejection from him, and I’ve been trying everything I can to keep him out of my head. I breathe a sigh of relief when it stops ringing, knowing he won’t leave a voicemail because he has a weird aversion to those, and I’m hoping he doesn’t send another text.I can’t deny that I miss him too, but it will never let me move on if I fold now.I know that’s all this is. He’s missing me because he can’t get hold of me. In time, he’ll get used to it, and then he won’t notice anymore. I have to protect my heart!My cell beeps with a new text, despite hoping he wouldn’t, and
[That’s great news, honey! You have her, she took the bait! Hook, line and sinker!] Alice was enthusiastically talking at the other end of the line. [I’m great you are following my advice down to a T. I can’t believe she feels that way about me---and to think I’m going to pretend as your bestfriend. Her radar is amazing.]Brandon updates Alice every day. When he suggested to fly to Greece to see Olivia, she was against it. Primarily because she couldn’t see what they’d be doing there and she doesn’t trust Brandon’s judgement when it comes to Olivia.But their plans have to push through. They’ve already invested too much time and effort to back out now. Alice is optimistic about their plan and Olivia just put the cherry on top. [Why did you leave her when she said she loves you?]He paused for a minute, “because if she sees I’m hesitant. It will give her reason to believe Harvey. That man has somehow got into her head.”[You are brilliant, honey! I love you! Keep this up. By the way, w
Olivia’s POV:“What are you talking about? We talked about that last time, Liv. Right?” He’s still trying to angle me in for a hug, completely oblivious that I’m trying like mad to keep parts of his anatomy well away from malfunctioning parts of mine, and he seems to think I am probably struggling because I am still pissed at him. I duck out under his arm and hightail it to my bedside table, breathing hard as tears fall down my face in utter frustration.“What the hell?” He turns with a smile, but seeing my tears, he stops in his tracks. a concerned frown overtaking those “What is it? Are you really this upset with me? I’m sorry, you know I can be mean sometimes, but it doesn’t mean anything. I didn’t mean anything I said.” He moves towards me, but I hold up shaky palms in complete soul-destroying desperation. Panic is sweeping me fully.“I don’t just like you. I love you.” I almost spell it out to him because I have to, slowly and firmly, voice trembling painfully, raising my eyebrow
Olivia’s POV:It’s our fourth day here in Santorini. The last two nights, I spent mostly with Emma and Theo and the mornings to myself. Ethan have me the entire day and I liked it. I’m in my bedroom, after showering and pulling on jeans and a T-shirt. I want to take a walk at the little plaza I spotted last night. My hair is on top of my head in a messy bun, and I am corresponding emails in New York.Harvey says my absence has been noted, and now that I am clear-headed and have some distance, I can see how shallow these people really are.I flop back on the bed, pulling Ethan’s stuffed bear, over my face and sighing loudly. I squeeze the stuffed toy tightly and quell the urge to scream into its soft little belly.“You could replace the bear with me. I hug back.” The familiar male voice catches me off guard as I yank the bear away and snap my eyes to the open door with a heart-hammering jolt.Brandon stands leaning against the door jamb a little sheepishly, and I have to stop myself fr
Brandon’s POV:It’s been two days. The last time I saw Olivia was the day she lashed on me. I left because she asked me to. I know I shouldn’t have. But what else was there to do?She may be composed and controlling in the surface but deep inside, she’s a woman who have gone through so much in life. Olivia’s past made my dark past like heaven. I thought I won’t be affected by her sudden desire for space. I know we’ll see each other at work.In fact, I even went to her townhouse and brought fruits and veggies from the farmers market I saw that day to check on her. I pretended to bring supplies for her nephew but the truth was, I hoped to see her or hear from the nanny. She hasn’t responded to any of my professional texts. Instead, she sends her secretary with instructions for me.Today, I came to her office hoping to see her pored on paperwork or roving the floors. Surprising employees. As usual, it’s a busy day at the hotel. Our reputation lives and new clients and patrons come and go
Olivia’s POV:I quietly walk into the small villa we were renting late in the evening, sliding in unseen, and head for the stairs hoping to get to my room before Maurice knows I’m back. I’m mentally and physically exhausted and need to lie down and get my head together. I’m a mess, fragile, completely drained, and generally just spent. I came away with so much in my head that I think my mind has shut down and gone into reboot mode to protect myself from mental breakdowns. I wept in Emma’s arms for an eternity before we moved to the cozy snug by the playroom for more privacy. We talked for hours, just going around and around in circles. Emma really did hit a home run with accuracy. The more we talked it out, and I came to terms with it, the more I could see she was right. This was about him!I’ve been living like a crazy heartbroken maniac for days. I’ve been grasping for love because I was deprived of it. I feel so stupid, so blind and confused.I’m only halfway up the stairs when th
Olivia’s POV:“I can’t be. This isn’t true or….” I wail brokenly, something inside of me snapping into place and realizing that Emma is onto something after all. Emma has hit the nail on the head, and I was too stupid ever to see it.All I can think of is the memories I had with him, the trust and bond between us. The happy times and shared moments, the bad ones, and how he wiped away my tears. The pain I felt when he told me things from his past and the unexplainable hatred when he mentioned Alice for the first time and realized this one was different for him. She wasn’t temporary. The overwhelming pettiness and dislike for a girl I assumed just annoyed me endlessly, while all this time, it’s been bitter jealousy because she has him in a way I never can. The past days of simultaneously pushing him away with my behavior to punish yet clinging to him with need. I have spent the entirety of his relationship with her trying to regain my hold on him in stupid ways, smug when it works, de