Olivia's POV The office was quiet, the hum of the day winding down as I stood at my desk, stacking files and shutting down my laptop. My heart was a tangle of guilt, longing, and a fragile hope I couldn’t name, caught between Lucas’s pull and Austin’s steady care within the past few weeks.I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion seeping into my bones, when my phone buzzed, Austin’s name lighting up the screen. A small smile tugged at my lips, his reliability a quiet comfort in the chaos.“Hey,” I answered, my voice soft, tinged with weariness but warmed by his call. “You checking up on me again?”His chuckle was low, grounding, a sound that eased the knot in my chest. “Always,” he said, his tone light but laced with concern. “You done? Ready to head home? I can swing by.”I glanced at the clock—nearly five, the office emptying out—and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I’m just finishing up,” I said, my voice steadier now, a flicker of relief at the thought of him waiting for
Olivia's POV The doctor’s words—“Mr. Preston has some brain injuries”—hung in the hospital waiting room like a dark cloud, each syllable a fresh wound that tore at my heart. My breath caught, my chest tightening with a fear so raw it threatened to choke me. Lucas, with brain injuries—my mind reeled, conjuring images of him lying still, his vibrant strength reduced to a fragile thread, his life hanging in a balance I couldn’t reach. My hands trembled, my eyes burning with tears I fought to hold back, as I stood frozen, my gaze locked on the doctor, desperate for more, for hope, for anything to ease the terror gripping me. Amelia’s presence, her earlier outburst, Austin’s steady hand on my shoulder—they faded to a distant hum, my world narrowing to the doctor’s next words, to the fate of the man I still loved, despite everything.The doctor, a woman with tired eyes and a calm demeanor, continued, her voice clinical but not unkind, grounding me even as it delivered more blows. “He a
OLIVIA'S POVThe restaurant was brimming with conversation and the occasional clink of glasses. Soft jazz music played in the background, adding a classy outlook to the already sophisticated environment. I sat across from my elder brother, Ethan, who had just finished his third glass of wine and was now swirling the remnants around the glass.“It’s been years, Olivia,” Ethan began, his tone laced with that familiar sarcasm he seemed to carry around.“Years?” I stared at him and chuckled. “It’s not even been two months!”“But I’ve missed my baby sis,” He whined on.“And I’ve missed you too,” I admitted, a huge smile forming across my lips.Ethan called a waiter who was passing and ordered another bottle of wine.“So…Lucas?” He stared at me. “How is he doing?”I sighed, setting my fork down on my half-eaten plate of pasta. My marriage with Lucas had been a bit shaky in recent weeks but I was not bothered. Lucas loved me but he had been very busy with business meetings recently.“He’s fi
OLIVIA'S POVLucas didn’t even flinch as I stood there, my chest heaving with the force of emotions I could barely contain. He got up from the bed leisurely, like nothing was wrong. He straightened his shirt, his movements slow and deliberate, while the blonde on the bed simply smirked at me, unbothered.I waited for him to say something, anything, but he merely stared at me, his expression devoid of guilt or remorse.“Lucas,” I muttered, my voice cracking slightly, “What is this? What are you doing?”He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head as though my question was absurd. “What does it look like?”His calmness was infuriating. “You’re cheating on me!” I yelled, the words echoing through the room. “In our home, in our bed! And you don’t even have the decency to explain yourself?”His lip curled, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Explain myself?” he asked, his tone icy. “And how dare you speak to me about decency.”I froze at his tone. I was struggl
OLIVIA'S POVThe drive back home was long. I sat in the back of the black SUV, staring out the window, lost in my thoughts. My heart felt like it had been shattered into a thousand pieces, scattered and forgotten. I couldn’t seem to shake off the image of Lucas and that whore from my mind, their laughter ringing in my ears, the betrayal so fresh that it burned like a hot, relentless fire. But the further we drove, the more distant the pain felt, like a shadow being pushed back by the light.When the familiar, sprawling gates of the Richards mansion finally came into view, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. I had spent twenty-three years of my life here, growing up in this grand estate, surrounded by luxury and comfort. And now, it felt like the only place that could offer me some bit of peace, even if I didn’t feel like I deserved it.The black SUVs slowed as they approached the grand entrance, the sleek marble pillars and towering arches of the mansion standing before me.
OLIVIA'S POVThe morning sun gleamed against the polished hood of my Mustang as I turned into the parking lot, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. Today was my first day as CEO of Nexus —a position that my father had given me despite the fact that I had zero working experience.I could still picture the smug look on his face when he had offered me the job. I knew he was expecting me to fail in the business world, so that he could quickly marry me off to Ryan, and that had been my biggest motivation.I had spent the weekend buried in spreadsheets and reports, memorizing every detail about the company to ensure I wouldn’t be caught off guard. This wasn’t just a job; it was my chance to prove to everyone—and to myself—that I wasn’t a failure, that I could stand on my own.As I stepped out of the car, smoothing my tailored blazer, my gaze automatically swept over the parking lot and just then, a familiar figure caught my eye.Lucas.He stood casually by his sleek black Aud
OLIVIA'S POVHow could father be so insensitive? How could he set me up with the very man he knew betrayed me? My pulse quickened, and for a brief moment, it was like time had rewound. The memories of betrayal, of heartbreak, came rushing back, leaving me momentarily frozen in my seat.“Keep it together,” Ethan’s voice hissed next to me. He leaned in, his tone low and sharp. “You’re the CEO now. Don’t let him rattle you.”I couldn’t respond. My gaze was locked on Lucas as he sauntered into the room, exuding the same infuriating confidence he always had. His tailored navy suit fit him perfectly, the silver cufflinks catching the light as he adjusted his tie. He barely glanced around the room. He didn’t even acknowledge me.That, more than anything, sent a spike of anger through me. After everything, he dared to act as if I didn’t exist? My fingers tightened around the pen I was holding, and I forced myself to inhale deeply, to calm the storm brewing within me.Lucas set down his brie
LUCAS’ POV"I'm more than just your ex-wife, Lucas Preston," Olivia said, her voice steady and proud. "I'm the CEO of Nexus."I froze, my mind struggling to process what she had just said. CEO? Olivia? The woman I thought I knew so well? The same woman who used to dream about opening a cozy bakery someday? How in the world did she end up here—leading one of the most powerful companies in the city?She tilted her head slightly, her sharp gaze slicing right through me. "Surprised, huh?" she asked, her tone laced with pride and something else—defiance. Maybe even a touch of satisfaction.For a moment, I forgot where I was. The boardroom, the presentation, the curious stares of the other members—none of it mattered. All I could focus on was her, standing there like a completely different person from the woman I once knew.She wasn’t just different—she was unrecognizable.But before I could say anything, she took control. She straightened her blazer, looked me dead in the eye, and asked,
Olivia's POV The doctor’s words—“Mr. Preston has some brain injuries”—hung in the hospital waiting room like a dark cloud, each syllable a fresh wound that tore at my heart. My breath caught, my chest tightening with a fear so raw it threatened to choke me. Lucas, with brain injuries—my mind reeled, conjuring images of him lying still, his vibrant strength reduced to a fragile thread, his life hanging in a balance I couldn’t reach. My hands trembled, my eyes burning with tears I fought to hold back, as I stood frozen, my gaze locked on the doctor, desperate for more, for hope, for anything to ease the terror gripping me. Amelia’s presence, her earlier outburst, Austin’s steady hand on my shoulder—they faded to a distant hum, my world narrowing to the doctor’s next words, to the fate of the man I still loved, despite everything.The doctor, a woman with tired eyes and a calm demeanor, continued, her voice clinical but not unkind, grounding me even as it delivered more blows. “He a
Olivia's POV The office was quiet, the hum of the day winding down as I stood at my desk, stacking files and shutting down my laptop. My heart was a tangle of guilt, longing, and a fragile hope I couldn’t name, caught between Lucas’s pull and Austin’s steady care within the past few weeks.I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion seeping into my bones, when my phone buzzed, Austin’s name lighting up the screen. A small smile tugged at my lips, his reliability a quiet comfort in the chaos.“Hey,” I answered, my voice soft, tinged with weariness but warmed by his call. “You checking up on me again?”His chuckle was low, grounding, a sound that eased the knot in my chest. “Always,” he said, his tone light but laced with concern. “You done? Ready to head home? I can swing by.”I glanced at the clock—nearly five, the office emptying out—and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I’m just finishing up,” I said, my voice steadier now, a flicker of relief at the thought of him waiting for
Lucas's POV The weight of the past weeks clung to me like a second skin, a relentless burden of accusations, betrayals, and the constant threat of losing everything I’d built. My office, once a sanctuary of control, felt like a battlefield, littered with the fallout of Amelia’s outburst, the press’s relentless scrutiny, and the plummeting stock prices that mocked my every effort to salvage my reputation. My chest was a knot of frustration, exhaustion and sleepless nights.I’d been hounding the police daily, my calls and visits a desperate attempt to force them to act, to find the source of the false story that had painted me as a murderer. Each time, they’d met me with barely concealed irritation, their eyes narrowing when they challenged my alibi to the press, their voices dripping with skepticism.“You told the world you were working late with Ms. Holmes,” one detective had snapped last week, his tone sharp, his arms crossed as he leaned across his desk. “But your story’s got h
Olivia's POV My screams tore through the air, raw and desperate, as I lunged toward Austin, my voice breaking with every plea. “Stop, Austin! Please, stop!” Tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart pounding with a mix of horror and fear as I watched him pummel Ryan’s father, his fists a blur of rage, blood staining the pavement beneath them. Richard’s face was a mess, his movements weak, his groans fading, and Austin’s fury showed no sign of slowing. My legs trembled, my chest heaving as I grabbed at Austin’s arm, my fingers slipping against his tense muscles, my voice a choked sob. “Enough! You’re going to kill him!”Finally, my words—or maybe my touch—broke through. Austin froze, his fist raised, his chest heaving, his face twisted with a rage that slowly melted into shock. He dropped his arm, stumbling back, his eyes wide as he looked from Richard’s bloodied form to me, his breath ragged. My tears fell faster now, my body shaking as I stood there, the violence of the moment
Olivia's PovThe morning sun beamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table, but my heart was still heavy, tangled in the aftermath of yesterday’s chaos. Austin’s quiet defense of me—they swirled in my mind, a relentless storm of guilt, longing, and fear that kept me awake most of the night. My coffee sat untouched, cooling in its mug, as I stared at the table, my fingers tracing the grain of the wood, trying to anchor myself in the present. Austin’s confession—“I’m starting to fall for you”—echoed in my chest, a tender ache that clashed with the pull I still felt toward Lucas, making every breath feel like a battle. I wanted to be grateful, to lean into his care, but my heart was a mess, and I didn’t know how to untangle it.Austin appeared in the doorway, his presence steady but cautious, his eyes searching mine with a concern that made my throat tighten. “Olivia,” he said, his voice gentle but firm, breaking through my haze, “I’ve been thinkin
Lucas's pov I stood frozen, my heart pounding, my breath shallow as I processed the sight of her—Amelia, the woman who’d always wielded her pride like a weapon, now stripped bare, her ego shattered in a way I’d never imagined possible. My chest tightened, a surge of surprise mingling with the anger still burning from her slap, her accusations, the public spectacle she’d turned our lives into. The press was gone, their cameras silenced for now, but the weight of their lenses lingered, a reminder of the chaos she’d unleashed, the chaos I’d fueled with my own choice.I should’ve felt triumphant, seeing her humbled, but instead, a hollow ache settled in my gut, a mix of guilt and exhaustion that made my shoulders sag. Her desperation was real, her tears a mirror of the pain I’d caused, but it didn’t erase the fury still simmering inside me. She’d pushed me too far—her rage, her accusations about Olivia, the way she’d humiliated us both in front of the world. Yet here she was, beggin
Lucas's povThe sting of Amelia’s slap burned across my cheek, a sharp, searing shock that snapped my head to the side and left my ears ringing. I stood frozen at the base of the podium stairs, my heart pounding, my mind reeling as the press conference hall buzzed with the chaos of her outburst. The cameras flashed like a swarm of fireflies, their relentless clicks a reminder of the vultures circling, ready to feast on this fresh scandal. My chest tightened, a mix of shock, anger, and dread flooding through me as I registered Amelia’s face—twisted with fury, her eyes blazing with a venom that made my stomach churn. Before I could even process the pain, her voice erupted, shrill and piercing, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd like a blade.“You didn’t come home for two days!” she screamed, her hands flailing, her words dripping with accusation. “You’ve been cheating with your ex, haven’t you? With Olivia!”Her words hit like a punch, stealing the air from my lungs, my heart
Olivia's pov Austin’s confession hung in the air like a fragile thread, his words—“I’m starting to fall for you”—settling into my chest with a weight that was both startling and strangely familiar. I sat frozen in the café booth, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, my heart a frantic drumbeat as I processed what he’d said. I wasn’t shocked—not entirely. Deep down, I’d suspected it, a quiet whisper in the back of my mind that no one could be as kind, as steadfast, as Austin had been without some hidden feeling driving it. Nobody signed up to be a husband on paper, to weather my chaos and stand by me through it all, without something more attached. Yet hearing it aloud, raw and unguarded, sent a tremor through me, a mix of warmth, guilt, and fear that made my throat tighten and my eyes sting with unshed tears.I looked at him, his face open, vulnerable, his eyes searching mine for a reaction, and my chest ached with a tenderness I hadn’t expected. Austin—steady, caring Austin—had
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