Lucas' POVThe vibration of my phone startled me awake. My neck was stiff from sleeping awkwardly on the couch in Olivia’s living room. Groaning, I rubbed my face, trying to blink away the remnants of sleep. It was still dark outside; the rain from last night had stopped, leaving a cool, damp quietness in its wake.The phone buzzed again. I reached for it, squinting at the screen. Amelia. My jaw tightened, and for a second, I considered ignoring the call. But something about the time—5:42 a.m.—made my thumb hover over the answer button.I sighed and pressed it. “What do you want, Amelia?”Her voice came through the line, high-pitched and frantic. “Lucas, it’s an emergency! It’s your mother—she’s not well. You need to come home right away!”My heart dropped. “What happened? Is she in pain? Did she fall?”“She... she just woke up feeling really bad, and I think it’s serious. Please hurry.” Her voice cracked, and any lingering doubts I might’ve had dissolved in an instant.“I’m on
Lucas’ POVThe city buzzed around me as I drove to my office, but all I could hear was Olivia’s voice echoing in my head.“How am I supposed to believe that? You cheated on me, Lucas. You lied to my face for months. What’s stopping you from taking something else that doesn’t belong to you?”My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. The memory of her words cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I had made mistakes—plenty of them—but stealing? That wasn’t me. How could she think so little of me?I pulled into the underground parking lot of my office building and slammed the car door shut behind me. The anger burning in my chest didn’t ease as I rode the elevator up to my floor. My pride was wounded, sure, but it was the hurt in Olivia’s eyes that haunted me.She thought I was a thief.The soft ding of the elevator pulled me out of my thoughts. I stepped into the cool, sterile air of my office and made my way to my desk. Tossing my keys onto the surface, I sl
Olivia’s POVThe sun casted thin lines of light across my bedroom walls. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying last night’s argument with Lucas over and over in my head. Each time, the scene ended the same way: with him walking out, furious, and my heart feeling like it was caught in a vice.I rolled onto my side and groaned. Why did I have to accuse him?But the necklace was gone, and he had been the only one here. The logic felt airtight last night when I was caught up in anger and fear. Now, in the harsh light of day, doubt crept in. Lucas might have been a liar, even a cheat, but was he really capable of stealing from me?I couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at my chest. There was only one way to settle this once and for all.Throwing off the covers, I got out of bed and headed for the kitchen, where Marcy, one of the housemaids, was busy wiping down the countertops.“Good morning, Miss Olivia,” she greeted me with her usual chipper tone.I offered a weak smile. “Mo
Lucas’ POVThe moment I stepped into the house, I could feel the tension clinging to the air like a heavy fog. My chest was tight, my jaw set. The confrontation I’d been replaying in my head on the drive here felt inevitable now, and I wasn’t sure how much restraint I had left.My mother was in the living room, lounging on the cream sofa with a cup of tea in hand. She looked up as I walked in, her face lighting up in a way that made my stomach churn.“Lucas, sweetheart! What a pleasant surprise,” she said warmly, setting her cup down.I didn’t return her smile. “Where’s Amelia?”Her brow furrowed slightly. “She’s upstairs. Why? Did something happen?”“Yes,” I said curtly. “And I need to talk to her. Now.”“Lucas,” my mother said, her voice taking on that warning tone she used whenever she thought I was being unreasonable, “I don’t know what’s got you so upset, but—”“Don’t,” I snapped, cutting her off. “Not this time, Mom.”She pursed her lips, a flicker of irritation crossin
Olivia’s POVThe days following the fight with Lucas passed in a haze of frustration and self-doubt. No matter how much I tried to distract myself, his face—the hurt in his eyes, the anger in his voice—kept resurfacing in my mind. I hated that he had this kind of power over me, that he could stir emotions I wasn’t ready to confront.I was in my home office, reviewing a report Natalya had sent over, when the sound of hushed voices drifted up from the hallway. It was the maids. Normally, I would have ignored it, but something about the tone of their conversation caught my attention.“…I’m just saying, if Mr. Preston really cared about her, wouldn’t he have come back by now?”“Maybe he’s too proud,” another voice replied. “Or maybe she scared him off. You know how intimidating she can be.”My grip on the pen tightened. Intimidating? Scared him off? Who were they to speculate about my relationship—or lack thereof—with Lucas?“Either way, it’s a shame,” the first voice continued. “Th
Olivia’s POVThe moment the door shut behind Lucas, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My hands trembled as I gripped the armrest of my wheelchair, frustration burning beneath my skin. I should have been relieved that he was gone—that I had finally said what needed to be said—but instead, I felt hollow.I told him not to come back. And he left.I stared at the closed door, my thoughts running in circles. Was this really the end? Did I want it to be?A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. I turned toward the entrance just as the door opened, and Natalya walked in.“I saw Lucas leaving,” she said, closing the door behind her. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”I let out a bitter laugh. “That’s because I have.”Natalya crossed the room and perched on the armrest of the couch, watching me carefully. “Do you want to talk about it?”I hesitated, gripping the wheels of my chair. I wasn’t sure I had the energy to explain everything, but at the same time, I need
LucasI barely remembered the drive home. My hands were tight on the steering wheel, my mind spinning with everything Olivia had said. The anger in her voice. The finality in her words.She was done with me.That truth hit harder than I wanted to admit. I should have fought harder, should have explained myself better, but instead, I left. Like a coward.When I pulled up to the mansion, the sight of it made my stomach turn. It was the same house I bought when I got married to Olivia, the same place I had always returned to—but now, it felt suffocating, knowing Mother would be there. I sat in the car for a moment, gripping the wheel, trying to steady my breathing.Then, with a deep breath, I got out and walked inside.The moment I stepped through the doors, my mother’s sharp voice cut through the silence.“Where have you been?”I clenched my jaw, not in the mood for this. “Out.”She was sitting on the couch in the grand living room, her posture perfect, a glass of wine in her h
OliviaThe past week had been relentless.I threw myself into work the moment I woke up, filling every spare second with reports, calls, and planning sessions. It was the only way I knew how to cope. If I stopped, even for a second, my thoughts would spiral in directions I didn’t want to go.So I didn’t stop.I focused on Nexus, on regaining control, on proving that I could handle everything that had been thrown my way. I worked late into the nights, reviewing projections, updating strategies, and ensuring that no detail went unnoticed.And yet, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I buried myself in my responsibilities, one thought kept creeping in.Had I made the right choice?I clenched my jaw, shaking my head. I didn’t have time for doubts.Letting go of Amelia’s betrayal had been easy in comparison—she wasn’t worth the effort, and the necklace was just an object. But Lucas… Lucas had been harder. Cutting him off completely, refusing to let him back in, had taken
Lucas’s POVI stared at Amelia, watching for any flicker of dishonesty in her expression. She had just admitted that Ryan wanted Olivia to himself and had asked her to make sure I fell for her. The pieces were starting to connect, but I needed more.I didn’t trust her. Not even for a second.Her admission could be real, or it could be another carefully calculated move. Amelia had always been good at playing the game—too good. And until I had proof, I couldn’t believe a damn word she said.I leaned back, studying her. “That’s all he said? Make me fall for you?”She met my gaze, tilting her head slightly. “You sound disappointed.”I let out a dry chuckle. “Disappointed? No. Suspicious? Yeah.”She smirked, swirling the whiskey in her glass. “Lucas, I know you don’t trust me, but I have no reason to lie. Ryan just wanted Olivia. I didn’t ask why. It’s not like I care about his personal motives.”That was exactly what made me doubt her.Amelia never did anything without a reason.
Lucas’s POVOlivia froze. Her eyes flickered with something I couldn’t quite place—hesitation, frustration, maybe even fear. I wanted her answer, but I already knew I wasn’t going to like it.After a long pause, she finally spoke.“You don’t have to worry about Ethan,” she said quietly. “He’s not the problem.”I clenched my jaw. “And Ryan?”Her gaze dropped, and she shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t want to talk about it.”I scoffed, taking a step back. “Of course you don’t.”She looked up sharply. “Lucas—”“No,” I cut her off, shaking my head. “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to shut me out every damn time something gets difficult.”Her hands curled into fists at her sides. “It’s not about shutting you out! It’s—”“It’s what, Olivia?” My voice was sharp, my patience hanging by a thread. “You stand here, telling me to be careful, to think things through, to not do anything reckless, but you won’t even give me the full picture. How the hell am I supposed to fight a batt
Olivia’s POVThe cold night air bit at my skin as I walked away from Lucas’s house, my heels clicking against the pavement. My breath came in uneven puffs, but I wasn’t sure if it was because of the chilly air or the frustration boiling inside me.I had come here to warn him, to tell him about the anonymous notes, but instead, I left feeling like a fool.Lucas had laughed at me.Mocked me.And worst of all, he had said Amelia’s name.The name that still felt like a dagger to my chest.I clenched my fists, willing myself to push away the emotions threatening to resurface. I had wasted enough energy on him tonight. I should have never come.I was halfway to my car when I heard hurried footsteps behind me.“Olivia, wait!”I stopped but didn’t turn around. My heart pounded at the sound of his voice, but I forced myself to stay still.The footsteps grew louder, and within seconds, Lucas was in front of me, slightly out of breath. His hair was a mess, his shirt wrinkled from sleep, but his
Olivia’s POVLucas’s fist came down again. Ryan barely had time to react before Lucas grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up, his face battered and bloodied. I could see the fury burning in Lucas’s eyes, the way his body shook with pure, unfiltered rage.“Lucas, stop!” I ran forward, my pulse hammering as I grabbed his arm. “Please, don’t!”His breath was ragged, his knuckles bruised and bleeding. His grip on Ryan’s collar tightened as if he hadn’t heard me.“Lucas,” I whispered, stepping closer. “You’re better than this.”His chest heaved as he looked down at Ryan, who was barely conscious, then at me.For a moment, I thought he wasn’t going to listen.Then, slowly, his grip loosened.Ryan slumped to the ground, groaning weakly. Lucas stepped back, his hands clenched into fists as he exhaled sharply, trying to regain control.I reached for him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “We need to go.”Lucas didn’t move at first. Then, with one last glare at Ryan’s crumpled form, he tu
Olivia’s POVRyan collapsed onto the floor with a sickening thud. The shattered bottle slipped from my trembling hands, glass shards scattering across the wooden planks. My heart pounded against my ribs, my breath coming in sharp gasps as I stared at his motionless body.Was he dead?I didn’t want to check. I wanted to turn and run, to leave this nightmare behind—but what if he wasn’t dead? What if he woke up and came after me?I took a shaky step forward, my knees weak beneath me. My stomach twisted violently as I crouched beside him, my fingers hesitating before pressing against his neck.Warm skin. A pulse.Relief crashed into me, quickly followed by fear.He wasn’t dead.I jerked my hand away, my heart hammering harder. I didn’t have much time. He could wake up any second, and if he did, he wouldn’t give me another chance to fight back.I needed to go.Now.I stumbled to my feet, my legs burning with adrenaline as I rushed toward the door. My hands fumbled with the lock, my finger
Olivia’s POVThe cold night air hit my face as I ran. My heart pounded violently against my ribs, my bare feet scraping against the rough ground. I didn't care about the pain—I just needed to get away.Branches whipped against my skin as I pushed forward, breath ragged and uneven. Behind me, I could hear Ryan’s footsteps. Heavy. Angry. Determined.I had no idea where I was. The only thing that mattered was escaping him.But then—A strong hand yanked me back.I screamed as I was thrown to the ground. Ryan’s face loomed over me, twisted with fury. His chest heaved, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might shatter."You really thought you could run from me?" His voice was low, deadly.I scrambled backward, but he grabbed my ankle, dragging me toward him. I kicked wildly, trying to break free, but his grip was unyielding."Let me go!" I shouted, thrashing with everything I had.Ryan’s hand shot out, grabbing my chin in a bruising grip. "I was trying to be a gentleman, Olivia
Olivia’s POVMy pulse pounded in my ears as my gaze darted around, taking in the unfamiliar space—bare walls, a single wooden chair, a bed and a locked door. A chill ran down my spine. Where was I?Then, I saw him.Ryan.My breath caught in my throat. He stood across from me, arms folded, his dark eyes locked onto mine with an unsettling calmness. The sight of him sent a jolt of fear through me. It wasn’t possible. He was kidnaped.I forced my voice steady, though my hands trembled. "How… how are you here?"He said nothing.My heart pounded harder. "Ryan, how did you escape, who kidnapped you?""Silence.A slow, sickening smile curved his lips, and my stomach twisted.I swallowed hard. "Why am I here?"Ryan finally moved, stepping closer. His movements were slow, deliberate, and it made my skin crawl."You already know why, Olivia," he murmured.I shook my head. "No, I don’t. I was getting threats that there were going to take your life and...""He chuckled, the sound devoid of warmt
Olivia’s POVI tightened my grip on the letter, my mind racing. The words on the paper weren’t just a threat; they were a reminder that someone was watching me, someone who wanted me to break. But I wasn’t going to let that happen.Vivian sat across from me, her arms crossed, worry evident in her eyes. “Olivia, you can’t ignore this,” she said, her voice firm. “Whoever sent this knows too much. You need to tell report to the cops or let's just call Ethan.""I let out a slow breath and leaned back in my chair. “Telling Ethan won’t change anything, Viv. I need to find out who did this myself.”She exhaled sharply, frustration flickering across her face. “And if you can’t?”“I will,” I said, meeting her gaze. “I’m not as helpless as everyone thinks.”Vivian sighed, shaking her head. “It’s not about being helpless. It’s about being careful.”“I am careful,” I countered. “And that’s exactly why I need to handle this alone.”She studied me for a long moment before standing up. “Fine. If you
Chapter 66(Lucas’s POV)I woke up feeling like my head had been trapped in a vice.The past few days had been nothing but a whirlwind of confusion, anger, and betrayal. I stared at the ceiling, my mind replaying the same questions I still didn’t have answers to. Ryan West. Olivia. Amelia. The lawsuit. EthanIt felt like my entire life was closing in on me, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to get a grip on things.I exhaled heavily, rubbing my face before pushing myself upright. The air in my bedroom felt suffocating. I needed to clear my head.Dragging myself to the bathroom, I turned on the cold water and let it run over my face. The chill bit into my skin, but it didn’t wash away the tension sitting like a weight in my chest.Amelia had told me Olivia was marrying Ethan. I acted like I didn't care but I did.I wanted to believe she was lying—wanted to believe Olivia wouldn’t do something like that—but I had been wrong about her before.I had been wrong about a lot of thing