Episode 5

OLIVIA

"You did what?!" Galen’s voice was raised as he got up abruptly.

"I'm sorry." I said, burying my face in my hands. 

"I can’t fucking believe this. It’s been less than a week and you’re already screwed this up?" He put his hands akimbo as he raged. "Is this what you wanted? To embarrass me again?"

My eyes shot up to meet his, blood pumped with rage boiled inside of me, as I took in his words. 

"No. I have never wanted to embarrass you." I countered. 

"Then why do this now, when the companies just joined?" He raged. His eyes flickered as he stared at me, and then, his lips curved into a smile. 

"That’s it, isn't it?" Galen quipped, "You’re trying to screw us over?" 

"Huh?"

"You and your god forsaken family are trying to milk us dry off… right?"

My hand collided with his cheek so quickly that I barely had time to stop myself. He seemed taken aback as he stared at me.

"Don’t fucking talk about my family like that!" I warned, his face was red with rage as he pummeled out of our room. 

"Where are you going?" I asked, as I hurried behind him. 

"Let's see what both our families think about what you’ve just done.

"No. Please no." I begged, yet my pleas fell on deaf ears. He sped off down the stairs even though I kept tugging at his shoulder. Our parents were having coffee downstairs, celebrating the success of officially uniting both companies. 

"Oh, and there they are." My father spoke with pure excitement. "You’re the stars. The new CEOs."

"Olivia ruined everything." Galen’s voice sounded out those words with malice. Cups of coffee were placed on the table as everyone got up. 

"What do you mean, son?" 

Despite my obvious panic and the looks of horror, I kept throwing at Galen. He didn't stop himself. He described every painful detail of what I had told him. He broke down everything I did and continued to belittle me and accuse me of sabotaging our marriage. 

He however did not accuse my parents of wanting to steal from them. He knew that the accusation did not make any sense. We were just as wealthy as they were and our company was just as successful. But hearing him talk about my failures in such a way, was like a knife to the heart.

My dad flew across the room and slapped me hard across the face before anyone could react. 

The blow had rung up old bitter memories that I had wished to bury forever. 

~~~~~~~~

GALEN

Everything had unfolded so quickly. 

Olivia getting slapped was the last thing that would ever cross my mind. I didn't think her father could do such a thing, especially not in front of all of us. The media and journalists standing in our compound did nothing to listen to the guilt I felt. I watched her, my wife, walk across the front patio as moved to address everyone. 

I was never one to pity her. 

Over the better part of 5 years I had spent crafting the perfect revenge, wishing her nothing but pain and suffering. Wanting her to feel the same pain I had felt when she betrayed me years ago. 

Yet today, when her father hit her, it was like a protective response had taken over me. I felt like my heart had been sliced in half. 

The horror in her eyes was haunting. 

I knew my wife. I knew her. I knew about her family and everything that happened to her. 

Once upon a time, Olivia once told me everything and I did the same. Once upon a time she was the girl I wanted to marry with all my heart. It was the wish I made every night before I went to bed. And now, I had that wish. It was fulfilled. Yet I wanted none of it. She was not happy with me. 

She was miserable. 

And so was I.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my husband and I have an important announcement." 

Cameras clicking and a slightly murmuring crowd occupied the air. From a distance, I could spot Jessie, the friend she’d told me about. I remembered her from back in high school and I never really liked her. She was the one that had pushed us to this. I stood at the side of my wife as I held her hand and forced a smile on my face. 

I looked at her but her eyes were fixed right ahead. I couldn't help but feel that I had messed it up. This was the last outcome I had expected. 

"My husband and I love each other very much. And now, a testament of our love will come to this world 9 months from now." Olivia said, reciting every little thing that her mother had told her while in the house. Suddenly, the journalists began asking questions, barely letting her finish. but she pushed through and she stared at everyone when she finally announced…

"I am pregnant." 

The crowd erupted!

~~~~~~~~~

Olivia’s POV

Galen and I walked back into the house, followed by both our families. It had been a long day and all I wanted to do was sleep. 

My parents excused themselves and retired to the guest quarters soon after, and I was left behind with my husband while Galen's parents were away from the media reporters. 

There was a strange silence between us. 

My heart was heavy as I thought about what had happened. Tears pricked my eyes as I turned to look at him. What I felt was unimaginable pain.

"I’m sorry." He let out, looking at me. 

I felt like he was mocking me, the pain in his eyes did not seem sincere.

"Are you happy now?"  

"No. That’s not what I wanted to happen.’ Yet I didn't want to hear any of it. All I wanted right now was for Galen to feel as much pain as I did. To know what it felt to suffer like this. 

I stopped in my tracks in the middle of the stairs and looked back at him. That was it. The perfect dagger to his heart. 

"Hey, darling." I faked a smile while I walked back to him. 

I got close, our faces only inches apart as I looked up at him. "Do you remember back in highschool when you accused me of sleeping with our best friend?"

Pain swam behind his eyes the second I brought it up. It was as if he knew what I was going to say. 

"It wasn’t just him. I slept with your brother too!" 

His face paled…