OLIVIA’S POVThe moment my eyes locked with Lucas’, I knew the night was over even if I told Austin I was fine. I tried to focus on Austin, his laughter, the dessert in front of me—but none of it could drown out the storm brewing inside. I’d been doing fine until Lucas walked in, his presence a stark reminder of the life I’d left behind. And then, seeing her, Amelia, by his side—it felt like someone had ripped open an old wound.“Liv?” Austin’s voice broke through my thoughts.I blinked and forced a weak smile. “I’m fine.”“You don’t look fine.” His green eyes were full of concern, his hand reaching across the table to touch mine gently. “Do you want to leave?”I hesitated, glancing toward Lucas. He was still standing near the entrance, his gaze fixed on me like he was trying to figure out my next move. My stomach churned.“Yes,” I said softly, pushing my chair back. “Let’s go.”Austin stood immediately, ever the gentleman, and reached for my coat. But just as I was slipping it on, I
OLIVIA’S POVThe buzzing sound of my alarm woke me, but I didn’t rush to get out of bed. It was Saturday, and for once, I didn’t have anywhere to be. I let out a sigh of relief, stretching lazily before grabbing my phone from the nightstand. No missed calls, no urgent emails. Good.I decided to spend the day at home, catching up on some reading and finishing the project I’d been working on all week. After a quick shower, I made myself a cup of coffee and curled up on the couch with a book, losing myself in its pages.The hours slipped by, and by the time I finished my work, the sun was dipping low in the sky. My stomach growled, reminding me that I’d barely eaten all day. Remembering that Father had invited me to dinner, I headed upstairs to freshen up.After a long bath, I chose a simple yet elegant dress and let my hair fall loosely around my shoulders. I didn’t bother with much makeup—Father didn’t care about appearances as long as I showed up on time.When I entered the dining roo
Lucas’ POVEarlier That Day“You better not bail out on us tonight, Lucas,” James said, his voice firm through the video call. He was sitting at his desk, adjusting his tie like the ever-serious older cousin he was.“I won’t,” I replied, leaning back in my chair.“You’ve been avoiding us for weeks,” Matt chimed in. My younger brother, perpetually laid-back, was sprawled across his couch, sipping a soda. “It’s not just about hanging out. We’re celebrating tonight—Dad’s big deal, remember?“I know,” I said, exhaling.“You should be proud,” James added, his tone softening. “It’s not every day our family secures a deal like this. We’re going to toast to the company, to Dad, and to you, Lucas. You played a big role in this.”Matt grinned. “Exactly. No sulking. We’re meeting at the bar downtown. Nine sharp. Be there.”“I’ll be there,” I said, more firmly this time.Matt raised an eyebrow. “Good. We’re not taking excuses tonight. It’s time to celebrate, man.”“See you there,” James said befo
OLIVIA’S POV“Olivia! Look who decided to finally grace us with her presence!” James called out as soon as he saw me walking toward them. His grin stretched from ear to ear, his voice loud enough to turn a few heads in the bar.“Hey, James,” I greeted, managing a small smile.Before I could say more, he pulled me into a tight hug, his familiar cologne instantly bringing back memories of family gatherings and Sunday dinners.“You’ve been avoiding us,” he said lightly, though his tone held a hint of accusation.“Not intentionally,” I lied, stepping back as Matt, Lucas’s younger brother, approached with his own welcoming hug.“We’ve missed you, Liv,” Matt said softly. His expression was more subdued than James's, his voice tinged with a quiet sadness. “We couldn’t believe it when Lucas told us about the divorce.”I stiffened slightly but forced another smile. “It’s nice to see you both,” I said, hoping to steer the conversation to safer ground.Lucas stood a few steps away, leaning casua
OLIVIA’S POVThe glow of the morning light wavered through my curtains, stirring me awake. I stretched lazily, savoring the quiet before my day officially began. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I reached for it, squinting at the screen. It was a text message from Austin. “Hey, I’m so sorry, Liv. I had to travel back urgently for business. I hate that I’ll miss Nexus Global’s anniversary celebration. Promise I’ll make it up to you.’I sighed, staring at the message for a moment before typing a quick reply.“No worries, Austin. Safe travels.”Austin always seemed to have something pulling him away. I understood, of course—his work demanded a lot of him, just as mine did of me—but it didn’t stop the sting of disappointment from settling in my chest. Nexus Global’s third anniversary was a big milestone. It felt strange to think he wouldn’t be there.A sharp knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, sitting up in bed.One of the housemaids stepped in, a smal
Olivia’s POV“Everything’s set for tomorrow, ma’am,” my secretary, Clara, said as she stood by my desk. Her clipboard was clutched tightly in her hands, her brow furrowed with concentration.“Run me through the details one more time,” I said, glancing up from my laptop. I’d been working nonstop the last two days, determined to keep my focus entirely on Nexus Global’s anniversary and, more importantly, away from Lucas.Clara nodded, flipping through her notes. “The event will start at 7 p.m. sharp. The ballroom is fully prepped—decorations, seating arrangements, and catering are finalized. The media has been briefed, and our PR team has confirmed attendance from key stakeholders and partners. The guest list is double-checked, and the commemorative speeches are scheduled for 8 p.m.”“And the presentation slides?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.“They’re ready,” Clara said confidently. “I’ve already sent them to the AV team for testing.”“Perfect,” I said with a nod. “And the staff un
Olivia’s POVI gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white, the tension in my chest refusing to ease. The confrontation with Lucas replayed in my mind, each word cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. How could he accuse me of something like that? After everything…I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the road. By the time I pulled into the driveway, the sky had shifted to a soft orange hue, the sun setting behind the sprawling estate. I parked the car and stepped out, the cool evening air brushing against my skin as I walked towards the house.Ethan was standing by the main door, scrolling through his phone. His head lifted as he heard my footsteps, a warm smile breaking across his face. “Hey, Liv.”“Hi,” I said curtly, brushing past him.Before I could make it inside, he grabbed my arm gently but firmly, pulling me back to face him. “Don’t let Lucas get to you,” he said, his voice calm yet resolute. “It’s obvious you guys got into an argument or s
Olivia’s POVThe day had finally arrived—Nexus Global’s third anniversary. This milestone wasn’t just about celebrating the company’s success; it was also a moment of personal triumph for me. Every ounce of my little effort, every sleepless night within the past few days, and every challenge I overcame had led to this day.Standing in front of my mirror, I took a deep breath as I admired my reflection. The navy-blue gown I had chosen hugged my figure perfectly. It was elegant and sophisticated without being overly flashy—just how I liked it. My curls fell naturally around my shoulders, soft and bouncy, and the heels I had been eagerly waiting to wear completed the look. I felt ready to face whatever came my way today.Descending the stairs, I found Ethan waiting for me in the living room, scrolling through his phone. He looked dashing in a sleek black tuxedo, his tie impeccably knotted. The moment he saw me, he put his phone down and stood up, a playful grin spreading across his face.
Olivia's povAmelia’s departure left a hollow echo in the corridors my office, her heels clicking away into the distance, her silence a victory I hadn’t expected but didn’t fully trust. My words—“I’ll marry him again… fight for full custody”—hung in the air like smoke, bold and reckless, their weight settling into my chest with a mix of triumph and dread. My heart pounded, my hands trembling as I stood there, the morning air sharp against my flushed skin. I’d faced her down, held my ground, but the fire of my defiance was already fading, replaced by a gnawing guilt that twisted my stomach. What had I done? Threatening to take Lucas back, to tear apart their family—it wasn’t me, not really, but the words had spilled out, fueled by her venom and my own tangled longing for a past I couldn’t reclaim. I took a shaky breath, my legs unsteady, and forced myself toward my desk, desperate to bury the encounter in work, to escape the storm of emotions threatening to drown me.I settled at
Olivia's POV The morning sun was barely cresting the horizon as I pulled into the company parking lot, the engine’s hum fading into a heavy silence that matched the turmoil churning inside me. My hands lingered on the steering wheel, knuckles pale from gripping it too tightly, as if holding on could steady the storm of emotions still raging from last night. Austin’s words—“I didn’t ask you to care for me”—echoed in my head, each syllable a fresh wound, laced with guilt and regret that burned hotter with every replay. My eyes stung, gritty from tears and sleeplessness, my chest a tight knot of anger, shame, and a longing for Lucas I couldn’t shake, no matter how hard I tried. I took a shaky breath, willing myself to focus, to bury it all and face the day, but the weight of it clung to me, heavy and unrelenting.I pushed open the car door, the cool morning air hitting my face like a slap, and stepped out, my heels clicking against the asphalt. That’s when I saw her—Amelia, standin
Olivia's povAustin’s words hit me like a slap, sharp and searing, cutting through the quiet of the kitchen with a force that stole my breath. “Did you think anyone believed that silly lie you told?” he asked, his voice low, thick with anger, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my heart lurch. I froze, my hands gripping a damp dish towel, the air suddenly too heavy, too tight. Shock rippled through me, cold and electric, my pulse hammering in my ears as I registered the accusation in his tone. He knew—or at least suspected—and the realization sent a wave of panic crashing over me, my chest constricting with guilt and fear.“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice trembling, a weak attempt to feign ignorance despite the truth clawing at my throat. My fingers tightened around the towel, twisting it until my knuckles ached, as if the pain could ground me, keep me from unraveling.I knew exactly what he meant—the lie I’d told Ethan, the flimsy excuse about a business f
Oliva's POV The night air was cool against my skin as Lucas walked me back to my car, his footsteps quiet beside mine, the silence between us heavy with the weight of everything unspoken. I clutched my purse tighter, my fingers digging into the leather as I tried to anchor myself, to quell the storm of emotions swirling inside—longing, guilt, fear, and a fragile hope I didn’t dare name. The parking lot was dim, the streetlights casting long shadows that danced across his face, and I stole glances at him, my breath catching at the familiar lines of his jaw, the exhaustion etched into his eyes. My chest ached with a love I couldn’t shake, a pull that threatened to unravel me every time he was near.He stopped by my car, his hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze flickering to the ground before meeting mine. “I wish you hadn’t come with your car,” he said, his voice low, rough with a wistfulness that twisted my heart. “I could’ve dropped you off.”The words hung there, soft and int
Olivia's pov The kiss hung between us like a storm cloud, electric and untamed, its aftershock trembling through my lips, my veins, my very soul. We stood in Lucas’s office, the dim light casting jagged shadows across his face, his breath ragged, mirroring the frantic thudding of my heart. My hands lingered on his chest, pressed against the fabric of his shirt, feeling the wild, desperate beat beneath—alive, real, a rhythm that echoed the chaos tearing through me. My knees weakened, my breath shallow, as I drowned in his eyes—those hazel depths I’d once known better than my own, now stormy with guilt, longing, and a rawness that pierced me to my core. My chest ached, a hollow, searing pain, as every buried feeling I’d fought to suppress clawed its way back, overwhelming and unstoppable.He broke the silence first, his voice a jagged whisper, thick with regret and something deeper, something that cracked my heart open wider. “I’m sorry,” he said, his gaze dropping to the floor, h
Olivia's POVThe backyard was filled with the scent of grilled meat and charcoal. I stood near the picnic table, a glass of lemonade in my hand, the cool condensation slick against my fingers as I tried to anchor myself in the moment. The glow of string lights cast a warm haze over everything, softening the edges of the day’s chaos, but my mind was still a tangled mess, replaying Ryan’s father’s threats, the police, and literally everything that had gone wrong in my life.Ethan was across the lawn, chasing Aiden around in a game of tag, the little boy’s squeals of delight piercing the evening air. It was a scene so normal, so peaceful, that it almost felt like a lie—like I’d stepped into someone else’s life instead of my own.Vivian sidled up beside me, her shoulder brushing mine, her presence a quiet comfort I’d missed more than I’d realized. She held a plate of ribs, picking at them absently, her eyes soft as she watched Ethan scoop Aiden up and spin him around. “He’s missed you,
My heart stopped, then slammed back to life, pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. I spun around, staring at Amelia, her words—“I have evidence”—ringing in my ears like a gunshot. Shock ripped through me, cold and electric, freezing me in place as my mind scrambled to catch up. Evidence? What evidence? My hands trembled, my breath hitching, and I felt the world tilt beneath me.“What evidence?” I demanded, my voice rough, cracking with a mix of disbelief and rising panic. I took a step toward her, my eyes locked on hers, searching for some hint, some crack in her smug facade. “What the hell are you talking about, Amelia?”She stood there, her arms crossed, her lips curled into a tight, defiant smirk, her eyes gleaming with a menace that made my skin crawl. She didn’t answer—just stared at me, her silence a weapon sharper than any words. My chest tightened, frustration boiling up, hot and suffocating. “Answer me!” I snapped, my voice louder now, raw with the fear I couldn’t
Lucas’s POV I stood at the airport, the buzz of travelers and rolling suitcases a dull roar in my ears, my stomach knotted with a dread I couldn’t shake. Amelia was next to me, her perfume sharp and overpowering, her voice was a relentless drone as she prattled on about the honeymoon she’d orchestrated—some tropical getaway I’d never wanted. My suitcase sat heavy in my hand, a physical reminder of the prison I’d locked myself into by marrying her. The ring on my finger felt like a shackle, cold and tight, a constant itch I couldn’t scratch. I didn’t want this—not the trip, not her, not the forced smiles I’d have to plaster on for days on end. My chest burned with the urge to run, to ditch the whole damn thing and vanish into the crowd, but I was stuck, tethered by the child she carried and the guilt that came with it.That was when they appeared—two police officers, their uniforms crisp, their faces hard, cutting through the sea of people with a purpose that made my heart stutt
Olivia’s POVAs Ryan's father stormed out of my office, I stood there, frozen, my hands still gripping the edge of my desk as if it were the only thing keeping me upright. His words—“You murderer! You killed my son!”—echoed in my head, a relentless assault that left my chest tight and my breaths shallow. The room felt smaller, the air heavier, and my legs trembled beneath me, threatening to give out entirely. I was shaken, more than I wanted to admit, the raw fury in his eyes searing into me like a brand. My heart pounded, a frantic rhythm that drowned out the hum of the office beyond my door, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure I could pull myself back together.But I had to. I couldn’t let this unravel me—not here, not now. With a shaky breath, I straightened, forcing my hands to release the desk, though my fingers ached from the strain. My mind raced, searching for a lifeline, something to anchor me in the chaos. Ryan’s father was a problem I couldn’t handle alone—not with his rag