Olivia ~•~Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. Even if everything was falling apart in my life, the holiday cheer always brought me a little bit of relief. But this year, I was grateful everything was going smoothly, even if the previous months were hell. I had finally gotten rid of Ethan. He had moved back to California and I filed a restraining order against him for me and my family. My focus was now on taking care of the kids and ensuring my business was successful. I had a lot of events to plan and it distracted me from thinking about all the traumatic things I had been through in the past months. As I sat at my desk, reviewing details for an upcoming event, my phone buzzed. I picked it up to see that it was Maya calling. “Hey, baby girl.” I greeted her warmly as I answered the call. Maya responded with a soft chuckle. “How are you doing?” “I’m good, I can’t wait to see you.” I squealed in excitement like a child who just got her favorite toy as a Christmas presen
Alexander Burke ~•~“I can’t, Dad,” I said as I paced around my room. “I already made plans with them and I can’t cancel it at the last minute,” I added, running my fingers through my hair. My father had already made his decision and he didn’t want to change his mind. “You have to find a way to tell her. I need you to come here alone.” I stopped pacing, took a deep breath, and continued. “If they aren’t coming with me, then I’m not coming either,” I replied, my tone serious and firm. “I promised to spend New Year's with the kids and I wouldn’t want to break that promise.” “Alexander Burke, you have no choice. Unless you want to put our family business in jeopardy, you would do as I say.” His voice was low and menacing. I let out a disgusted scoff. I was a grown adult and this man still found a way to control my life. Anytime I tried to make my own decisions, he always guilt-tripped me with the business. I wasn’t happy with his decision but I had no choice but to agree. “Fine, D
Olivia ~•~A new year meant a fresh start. I had given myself a clean slate. I had forgiven myself for my past mistakes. It was a new beginning for me and I was going to make the most of the year. “Happy New Year, babies!” I smiled as I stepped into the twin's bedroom. They were wide awake and their eyes were fixed on the television. They both turned to me with their eyes lit up with excitement. “Happy new year, mama.” They both smiled and engulfed me in a warm hug. “I’m sorry the trip was canceled.” I apologized for the umpteenth time because they were really looking forward to it. Alexander canceled on us at the last minute. He claimed he was going to be busy with work there and we should reschedule our trip. I was kind of sad because I was looking forward to seeing Maya. I even wanted to go there on my own but Alexander pleaded with me to hold on a little bit. After speaking to Maya about it, she advised me to listen to him. I decided to be a little bit patient because I wa
Alexander Burke ~•~I watched as my phone rang multiple times but I couldn’t bring myself to answer the call. It was Olivia calling me but I couldn’t respond because I didn’t know how to face her. Even though Caroline advised me to tell her about it before it made the news in a few hours, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t want to hurt her again. I wasn’t sure how she felt about me but I was certain that she was going to be hurt if she knew the person involved. I had been lying to her for days. I mean, I had kept the information from her for days. We spoke almost every day since I left for California and I didn’t tell her about what was happening. But this time, I couldn’t bring myself to answer her calls because the news was getting out today. My father claimed he wanted to make a statement for the New Year's. Why didn’t he make such a statement with his own life? I let out an unbelievable scoff as I thought about everything that happened. Why couldn’t I stand up for my
Olivia ~•~I was frozen in my car, my eyes glued to my phone. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen. Tricia? I hadn’t heard her name in a while. It couldn’t be true. Alexander wouldn’t do me like that. At least, that was what I told myself. Everything started making sense. I knew something was fishy when he canceled the trip at the last minute. He had another agenda in California. That was the same reason he didn’t want me to go on my own. He knew exactly what he was doing. I felt like a fool. I felt so stupid. A few months ago, he was trying to make a move on me but now, he has gotten married to his ex-girlfriend. The same girl who was a major factor in our divorce a few years back. I let out an unbelievable scoff and my grip tightened on my phone. We weren’t together and a part of me felt I wasn’t meant to be angry. But I couldn’t hide it, I was extremely angry. It would have been understandable if he had moved on with someone new but it’s TRICIA! Oh my goodness! What was
Alexander Burke ~•~I was still inside the room when I heard a knock on the door. “It’s Caroline.” I heard my sister's voice echo from the other side of the door. “Come in! The door is unlocked.” I said and sat upright on the bed. Caroline had a concerned expression registered on her face as she pushed open the door and walked to the bed. “Did you tell her about it before it was released publicly?” I shook my head, regretting my decision. “No, I wanted to tell her but it was too late,” I muttered, rubbing the bridge of my nose as if it would relieve the stress. Caroline sighed. “Do you think she has seen it? Has she reached out to you?” I shrugged. “I have no idea. I turned off my phone.” “You know you can’t shut her out forever, right? You have to talk to her about it.” Caroline advised solemnly. “It’s better you do it now.”“I think I should wait a little bit, this isn’t the right…...” Caroline cut me off before I could even complete my sentence. “There is no right time for
Olivia ~•~I couldn’t sleep the previous night and it was baffling. I wasn’t expecting the news of Alexander’s marriage to Tricia to affect me that much. I was disappointed in myself. Why was I so bothered? We weren’t together and it wasn’t meant to be any of my business. But somehow it still stung badly. It felt like a heavy punch to my guts. I didn’t know I had feelings for Alexander. Or maybe I was just upset because it was Tricia who made me finally give up on my marriage. And now, she had gotten the man. It wasn’t a competition. I couldn’t be in a competition with another woman because of a man. No, I wasn’t a teenager anymore. I was a grown adult who was responsible for two amazing children. Alexander wasn’t a prize. Oh my! I hated myself for feeling like this. Why was I so bothered? I was losing my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder what the blogs were saying about it. I didn’t care to read the comments because I had promised myself to stay clear of the comments that invo
Olivia ~•~I stood in the kitchen, staring at my phone, my eyes burning with unshed tears. Alexander claimed he’d be back in New York, first thing in the morning. And he’d stop by my house to talk to me. But all I could see were photos of him and Tricia, plastered across the internet - smiling and posing for the cameras as they arrived at the airport together.The headline screamed at their arrival, but it was the image of them at the side that made my stomach churn. I could feel the familiar sting of betrayal creeping into my chest again, twisting the knife deeper. He was supposed to be here, having a serious conversation with me, not having a photo-op with her. I let out an unbelievable scoff and dropped my phone on the counter. I wiped my eyes, angry at myself for caring too much. This wasn’t supposed to hurt like this. I had promised myself I wouldn’t let him get under my skin again. But I was angry and disappointed all over again. I needed to get past this. I needed to move