CHAPTER 5

NICK

Two years have passed since that woman humiliated me, since I found out she stole millions from me. While I had planned to start a family with her, she had secretly been taking birth control pills. Why couldn’t she have just told me she wasn’t ready for kids? Now, I know why—she was still in love with her ex and was only with me for my money.

How could I have been so stupid and blind? When Sandra told me that Olivia had a hand in what happened to my mother all those years ago—how they met, how Olivia “just happened” to save her from being hit by a car—I refused to believe it at first. I thought my wife could never be capable of such things.

Then she gave me that recording of their phone call, where Olivia had admitted everything: how she’d landed her “golden goose,” how her life was going to change for her and her grandmother. As if that weren’t enough, she stole from me. Sandra had showed me the proof.

I recovered some of the money, but only a small portion. Thinking about her still fills me with rage. How could she have been so cruel? My mother loved her!

“Nick!” Sandra snapped me out of my thoughts. “It’s almost time to go pick up your parents. I’m finishing up with dinner. It'll be ready by the time you get back.”

If it weren’t for Sandra these last two years, I don’t think I would’ve made it through.

My parents have been traveling the world, and they’re coming home today. They’re going to be so disappointed when they find out what happened with Olivia. My poor mother. She trusted that good-for-nothing woman.

Anger surged as I grabbed my keys.

“Nick!” Sandra's voice stopped me again. I turned to face her.

“Don’t think about her,” she said softly. “It only makes you angry. Today is about your parents coming home. Let’s focus on celebrating, not on the past.”

I gave her a small smile. What would I have done without her?

At the airport, I spotted my mom first, followed by my dad, and their guards carrying the bags. Her face lit when she saw me.

She rushed over, throwing herself into my arms. I laughed, hugging her back as Dad shook his head.

“You’re suffocating our son, woman!” he grumbled. Mom shot him a glare over her shoulder, and he raised his hands up in mock surrender. Watching them, a wave of sadness washed over me. I had thought Olivia and I would have what they had. I guess it wasn’t meant to be.

“Goodness! You’re so thin! Does Olivia not feed you anymore? Where

is she, anyway?” Mom asked, her smile fading slightly.

I sighed. This wasn’t the time or place to tell them. “Let's get home, and I’ll explain everything,” I said.

They exchanged a glance, and Mom's face brightened again. “Don't tell me she's at home with a baby! Oh, I knew she’d give me a grandchild soon!”

My heart sank. She had no idea Olivia never wanted kids—only my money.

“Mom, it’s not like that.” I opened the car door for her.

Dad got in after her, his face already turning cold.

I started the car and drove off. Mom wanted to ask more questions on the way, but Dad convinced her to wait until we got home. Thankfully. Talking about Olivia wasn’t easy, and I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation.

Once we got back, I told them everything: how Olivia had pushed her best friend down the stairs, killing her child; how she’d stolen millions from me; how she was never in love with me, never wanted a baby with me; how she was secretly on birth control the whole time; and how she had just wanted my money.

“She is not the person you thought she was,” I said. “Olivia is cruel.”

Mom looked at me as if I’d committed a crime. “Nick, are you insane?” she shouted, furious.

I stared at her, baffled. Hadn’t she heard what I said?

Mom shook her head, sadness and disappointment etched across her face. Dad hadn’t said a word and refused to look at me, but his eyes were icy cold.

“Are you sure it’s not Sandra who’s clouding your judgment?” Mom asked sharply. “Are you sure she

isn’t the reason you’re thinking this way?”

“Sandra is the one who showed me the truth about Olivia,” I insisted. “Without her, I’d still be under Olivia’s control. You should be grateful to her!”

Mom’s eyes flashed with anger. “Grateful? To a homewrecker? Dear God, what must her grandmother think of us? Michael,” she said, turning to my father, “go to Olivia’s grandmother and apologize. Tell her we had no idea and that we’ll get Olivia out of jail.”

Dad stood, ready to go, and I was stunned. How could they still be so blind?

“She’s dead,” I said quietly. “She died a few months after Olivia was arrested.”

Mom’s face crumpled, and a tear slipped down her cheek. I wanted to comfort her, but Dad beat me to it, pulling her into his arms.

“You’re such a fool, Nick,” he said, his voice hard. “I didn’t raise you to be this foolish. I hope you don’t come to regret this.”

I sat there, feeling utterly lost. Why were they defending Olivia? Why did she still have such a hold on them?

“I’m going to get my daughter-in-law out of jail,” Dad declared. “And Nick, if you don’t drop the charges, I will disown you.”