Olivia's PovStepping back into the office after my honeymoon felt both familiar and foreign. The moment my heels clicked against the polished marble floor of the lobby, I straightened my posture, exhaling softly. Today marked the beginning of a new phase. A different me.I had chosen a navy-blue dress that hugged my frame just right, a subtle yet intentional shift from my usual wardrobe. It made me feel powerful, in control. Dropping Aiden off at school earlier that morning had been a comforting routine, grounding me before stepping into the business world again. Vivian had been too busy to do it, and I hadn’t minded. It had given me time to reflect, to steel myself.But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I turned toward my office.Lucas.My breath caught for a second, my heart slamming against my ribs. He was seated in the waiting area, his legs crossed, one arm draped over the back of the chair, looking as if he belonged there. As if he had every right to be waiting
Olivia's PovI stepped out of my car, the cool evening air brushing against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the irritation bubbling inside me. Just as Lucas had warned, there she was—Amelia, parked right in front of my place like she owned the street. Her sleek black SUV gleamed under the streetlights, a stark contrast to the chaos she always seemed to bring with her. I rolled my eyes, the gesture almost instinctive now whenever her name crossed my mind. She was a thorn in my side, a reminder of everything that had gone wrong, and yet here she was, daring to show up at my doorstep.“I could call the police on you, you know,” I said, my voice sharp as I slammed the car door behind me. My heels clicked against the pavement, each step fueled by a mix of frustration and exhaustion. Amelia leaned against her car, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips that made my blood boil. She flipped her hair back, her eyes glinting with that same malicious confidence she always carried. “Then
Olivia's pov Amelia’s words lingered in the air like a toxic fog, heavy and suffocating, as she turned on her heel and walked away, her heels clicking a sharp, retreating rhythm against the pavement. I stood there, rooted to the spot, my mind reeling from the accusation, the threat, the sheer audacity of her. “Does Ryan look like he would kill himself when he just got himself a new human toy?” Her voice echoed in my head, a taunt that refused to fade. My chest tightened, a mix of anger and fear swirling inside me, but before I could process it all, she was gone, disappearing into the night like a shadow I couldn’t shake.I stayed there for what felt like hours, the cool night air doing little to clear the haze in my mind. My thoughts raced, tumbling over each other in a chaotic dance. Ryan’s death, Lucas’s impending marriage to Amelia—it all felt like pieces of a puzzle I couldn’t quite fit together. Exhaustion crept in, heavy and insistent, and finally, I dragged myself inside,
Lucas's povI stood there, in the suffocating confines of the church, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to break free. The nearest exit beckoned to me, a silent promise of escape, and all I wanted was to bolt, to leave this madness behind. I wasn’t sure I should be doing this—marrying Amelia. The thought alone made my stomach churn, a bitter taste rising in my throat. She was troublesome, always had been, her sharp words and manipulative games grating on my nerves until I felt like I could scream. I felt nothing for her, not love, not even a flicker of affection, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what I’d been thinking when I agreed to this.The child. That was the reason, or at least the excuse I kept telling myself. Could I really hold this marriage together for the sake of our unborn child? Was it better to be separate parents right from the start, to avoid the inevitable fallout, or should I grit my teeth and endure until the kid was old enough fo
Olivia's pov I made my way to the car, my heels clicking against the pavement with a rhythm that matched the unsteady beat of my heart. The church faded behind me, its grandeur overshadowed by the weight of what had just happened. Lucas’s face, his raw anger and hurt, lingered in my mind, a haunting image I couldn’t shake. Did I really believe he didn’t kill Ryan? I wasn’t sure. Part of me wanted to trust him, to cling to the memory of the man who’d once been my everything, but another part—the part scarred by betrayal and suspicion—whispered that he was the only person on my side who might have the guts to kill someone. If he didn’t do it, then I had nothing to worry about. But if he did… the thought made my stomach twist, a cold dread settling in my bones.The drive home was a fast, my thoughts a chaotic swirl of doubt and guilt. I replayed our argument in the church—the way his voice had cracked, the way his eyes had burned with a mix of fury and desperation. Had I been too ha
Olivia’s POV I woke to the smell of toast, warm and buttery, curling through the air like a thread pulling me back to a place I’d tried to forget. My eyes were still closed, and for a moment, I let myself linger in that hazy limbo between sleep and waking, where the scent felt more like a dream than reality. It was so vivid, so achingly familiar, that almost hear Lucas’s voice, low and teasing, as he’d nudge me awake with a tray in his hands. My heart twisted, a dull ache blooming in my chest, and I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, willing the nostalgia to fade. But it wouldn’t. It clung to me, sharp and unyielding, a ghost I couldn’t outrun.When I finally opened my eyes, the illusion shattered. There, standing in front of me, was Austin, holding a tray of toast with a small, hesitant smile on his face. The room snapped into focus—the unfamiliar walls of his house, the soft morning light filtering through curtains I hadn’t picked—and the truth hit me like a cold wave. This wasn
Olivia’s POVAs Ryan's father stormed out of my office, I stood there, frozen, my hands still gripping the edge of my desk as if it were the only thing keeping me upright. His words—“You murderer! You killed my son!”—echoed in my head, a relentless assault that left my chest tight and my breaths shallow. The room felt smaller, the air heavier, and my legs trembled beneath me, threatening to give out entirely. I was shaken, more than I wanted to admit, the raw fury in his eyes searing into me like a brand. My heart pounded, a frantic rhythm that drowned out the hum of the office beyond my door, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure I could pull myself back together.But I had to. I couldn’t let this unravel me—not here, not now. With a shaky breath, I straightened, forcing my hands to release the desk, though my fingers ached from the strain. My mind raced, searching for a lifeline, something to anchor me in the chaos. Ryan’s father was a problem I couldn’t handle alone—not with his rag
Lucas’s POV I stood at the airport, the buzz of travelers and rolling suitcases a dull roar in my ears, my stomach knotted with a dread I couldn’t shake. Amelia was next to me, her perfume sharp and overpowering, her voice was a relentless drone as she prattled on about the honeymoon she’d orchestrated—some tropical getaway I’d never wanted. My suitcase sat heavy in my hand, a physical reminder of the prison I’d locked myself into by marrying her. The ring on my finger felt like a shackle, cold and tight, a constant itch I couldn’t scratch. I didn’t want this—not the trip, not her, not the forced smiles I’d have to plaster on for days on end. My chest burned with the urge to run, to ditch the whole damn thing and vanish into the crowd, but I was stuck, tethered by the child she carried and the guilt that came with it.That was when they appeared—two police officers, their uniforms crisp, their faces hard, cutting through the sea of people with a purpose that made my heart stutt
Olivia's POV “You’re always everywhere Lucas is, and now he’s locked up for murder, and where are you? Nowhere to be found!”—echoed in my ears, a searing accusation that left my heart pounding, my hands trembling as I gripped the phone. My chest heaved, a mix of anger and guilt surging through me, the urge to defend myself, to scream that I hadn’t caused Lucas’s arrest, warring with the resolve I’d clung to for over a week—to stay away, to let him go. My throat tightened, tears stinging my eyes as I sat on the bed, Austin’s breakfast tray now cold beside me, the room heavy with the aftermath of his subtle manipulation, his suggestion of a trip to escape the “stress” of Lucas’s chaos. My breath was shallow, my mind reeling from the news of Lucas’s arrest for murder, his cuffed image still burned into my retina, and now Amelia’s call, her rage a fresh wound that threatened to unravel me.I swallowed hard, my voice shaking but firm as I responded, my heart racing with defiance. “Ame
Olivia's POV A week had passed since I’d seen Lucas’s text, its words—“Please visit again. I have something for you”—etched into my heart, a constant ache I fought to ignore. Each day was a battle to keep my resolve, to stay away from him, to honor the promise I’d made to Austin and myself to let Lucas go. The decision to cut personal ties, to limit our interactions to business, was a wound that hadn’t healed, a choice driven by the reality of Amelia’s pregnancy and his mother’s hatred, but it tore at me, a longing for his voice, his touch, that lingered like a ghost. My chest ached with the effort to move forward, my heart torn between love and duty, and I threw myself into distractions to keep the pain at bay. Austin, bless him, was my anchor, filling our days with outings and adventures—hiking trails, art galleries, quiet dinners—that brought a fleeting joy, his laughter a balm to my fractured spirit.That morning, I woke to the scent of coffee and pancakes, my eyes fluttering
Lucas's POV The hospital walls of the hospital room wall a prison, its sterile walls and incessant beeping a constant reminder of my fragility, my confinement. Over a week had passed since I texted Olivia—“Please visit again. I have something for you”—and the silence that followed was a weight crushing my chest. Each day without her reply deepened the ache, a mix of worry, longing, and confusion that gnawed at me. What was going through her mind? Had she given up on us, pushed away by Amelia’s pregnancy, my mother’s venom, or the chaos that seemed to follow me? My heart clung to the memory of our reunion—her tears, her hands steadying me, the warmth of her presence—but the lack of response felt like a door slamming shut, leaving me to wonder if I’d lost her for good. My body was healing, the fractures in my spine and shoulder less agonizing, the concussion’s fog lifting, but my spirit was battered, trapped in this room with the two women who made every moment a trial: my mother
Olivia's POV The kitchen was a quiet haven after Dad’s departure, the clink of dishes was a gentle rhythm as Austin and I stood side by side at the sink. My hands moved mechanically, scrubbing plates, rinsing mugs, but my heart was a storm of emotions—gratitude for Austin’s steady presence, guilt for the unanswered question about our marriage, and the raw ache of letting Lucas go. Dad’s directive to cut ties with Lucas echoed in my mind, a confirmation of my own resolve, but it didn’t ease the pain, the longing for a love now out of reach. Austin’s stunned reaction to Dad’s mention of meeting his father lingered, a puzzle I couldn’t solve, stirring an unease that gnawed at me. My chest tightened, my breath shallow as I focused on the dishes, hoping the task would anchor me against the turmoil threatening to spill over.Austin’s voice broke the silence, soft but piercing, catching me off guard. “Olivia,” he said, his tone cautious, his hands pausing in the soapy water, “why do yo
Olivia's POV The morning light filtered through the kitchen windows, casting a soft glow over the counter where I stood, the scent of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee filling the air. My hands moved with purpose, cracking eggs, flipping pancakes, arranging fruit on a plate, but my heart was a tangle of resolve and lingering pain. Last night’s decision to let go of Lucas weighed heavy, a choice that felt both necessary and devastating, like severing a piece of my soul. His face—his desperate hug, his whispered relief in the hospital—haunted me, but so did the reality of Amelia’s pregnancy, his mother’s hatred, the family he was building without me. I couldn’t be the mistress, the shadow in his child’s story, and that truth had solidified my resolve to step back, to protect my heart, to honor the marriage I’d made with Austin, even if it was born of convenience. My throat tightened, my chest aching as I stirred the eggs, the clatter of the spatula a distraction from the tears threa
Olivia's POV The car was a pressure cooker, the air thick with tension, Austin’s words—“You’ll end up a mistress, a second woman”—still burning in my ears, fueling a rage that pulsed through me like wildfire. My hands shook, my chest heaving with a mix of anger and hurt, my tears streaming down my cheeks as I glared at him, his profile rigid against the city lights blurring past. His accusation had struck a nerve, igniting a fury I hadn’t expected, a defiance against the idea that my love for Lucas could be reduced to something so degrading, so small. But beneath the anger was a gnawing fear, a whisper that he might be right, that my place in Lucas’s life was precarious, shadowed by Amelia’s pregnancy and his mother’s hatred. My throat tightened, my heart aching.The guilt of hurting Austin, and the stubborn love for Lucas that refused to let go.Austin’s hands gripped the steering wheel, his jaw clenched, but his voice broke the silence, low and sharp, pushing the tension higher.
Olivia's POV My heart pounded, my breath shallow, my eyes fixed on Amelia, crumpled on the floor, her hands curled around her belly, her sharp cry echoing in the sterile corridor. Lucas was on his knees beside her, his face pale with guilt and panic, his trembling hands reaching to lift her despite his own weakness, the IV line swaying precariously. My chest ached, torn between the love that had surged during our brief, stolen moment—his arms around me, his lips on my forehead—and the crushing guilt of witnessing this fallout, the chaos my presence seemed to ignite. My throat tightened, tears stinging my eyes as I stepped forward, instinct driving me to help Lucas, to steady him as he struggled.“Lucas,” I said, my voice trembling, my hands gripping his arm, supporting his weight as he tried again to lift Amelia, his breath ragged, his eyes wild with fear. But Victoria’s hand shot out, shoving me back with a force that made me stumble, her glare venomous. “Stay away!” she spat,
Lucas's POV “She’s a married woman, she doesn’t belong to you”His statement hung in the air, a cold reminder of the boundaries I’d crossed. My chest tightened, a mix of embarrassment and defiance flooding me as I realized the scene we’d made, my arms around Olivia, my lips on her forehead, all under the hospital’s fluorescent glare. Faces turned our way—nurses, visitors, their eyes curious, judgmental—and I felt heat rise to my cheeks, a flicker of shame for letting my emotions override caution. My body ached, the IV line tugging at my hand, the pain in my spine and shoulder a constant throb, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart, the desperate need to hold onto Olivia, to keep her close after nearly losing her.I pulled back, my hands dropping from her face, my voice low, apologetic. “I’m sorry,” I said, my eyes flicking to Austin, then back to Olivia, my throat tight with regret. “I didn’t mean to… I just—I thought you were gone, and I couldn’t—” My words falter
Lucas's POVThe hospital room felt like a cage, its sterile walls closing in, the incessant beep of the heart monitor a mocking reminder of my fragility. My body ached—my spine and shoulder throbbed with every breath, my head pounded with the lingering fog of the concussion—but the real pain was in my chest, a raw, searing ache that came from Amelia’s words: “Olivia’s dead. She died in the explosion.” The memory of her venomous lie, the way it had shattered me before I lost consciousness, haunted me, a wound that refused to heal. I lay propped against the pillows, my hands clenched, my heart a battlefield of grief, doubt, and a stubborn flicker of hope that Olivia was still out there, alive, despite Amelia’s cruelty. The room was a prison, and the two people in it—Amelia and my mother—were the most unbearable company I could imagine, their presence a suffocating weight that made me dread every moment.Amelia sat in a chair by the window, her arms crossed, her face a mask of sullen