Chapter 3

Silence stretched on the other end of the line.

I licked my dry lips and continued, "I won't do it again, I promise. You can smoke whenever you want. Don't worry about me."

As I spoke, my heart raced with fear. I was terrified of saying the wrong thing or reacting in a way that displeased them.

What if they decided I still hadn't learned my lesson? What if they thought I was still the same person I'd been before?

Then that black sedan would show up again, and I'd be dumped back in that alley that reeked of rotting garbage and mildew.

There was no way I was going back there.

"I really have learned my lesson," I added quickly. "Isaac, I promise I'll behave."

Isaac's breathing grew noticeably heavier on the other end of the line.

"Olivia…"

He said my name, but the words that were supposed to follow seemed to catch in his throat.

I waited a few seconds, yet he didn't say anything else.

"I'm sleepy," I whispered. "Can I go to bed now?"

"Go ahead," he finally said.

I hung up, drew the curtains, and climbed back into bed. The mattress was incredibly soft, and the blanket felt light against my skin.

I lay there with my eyes open, staring at the magnificent crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Everything here felt almost too good to be true.

…

When I woke up the next day, the sun was already shining brightly.

I could hear faint voices coming from downstairs. As I descended the stairs, I caught a glimpse of the living room through the gaps in the railing.

Wade was seated on the couch, facing a woman with curly hair and delicate features. She was wearing a long dress.

It was Renee.

My breath caught.

Isaac was there, too. He sat on a separate couch nearby, his expression somewhat distant.

Renee noticed me first. She set her cup down and smiled.

"Olivia? Wade told me you were back. Welcome home!" she said, walking over to me. "It's been so many years, Olivia. You've lost so much weight."

I met her gaze. Her beautiful eyes were filled with sympathy, as though she were looking at a stray kitten.

"I'm fine," I replied.

"Things will get better now," she said gently. "You're home again, and you'll have Wade and Isaac to look after you."

Isaac set down his coffee cup and looked at me, his expression complicated.

"Now that Olivia's back," he began quietly, silencing the entire room. "I think we should proceed with our wedding as soon as possible."

"Isn't that a little soon?" Wade asked with a frown.

"Yes, but Olivia has suffered so much over the past few years," Isaac said gently, his gaze settling on me. "I want to make it up to her as soon as I can."

Wade fell silent for a moment. He looked at me, then at Renee, before letting out a sigh.

"All right," he finally conceded. "I just hate to see Olivia leave me again."

"This is wonderful news!" Renee exclaimed, her smile unwavering. "Olivia and Isaac have been engaged for ages. They've put the wedding off for long enough, and it's about time they got married. Wade, you should be happy for your sister."

Wade merely hummed in acknowledgement.

I stood there like an outsider, listening as they discussed my wedding as though I weren't even part of the conversation.

"How about the 15th of next month?" Isaac suggested.

"Isn't that a little rushed?" Renee asked softly. "There's so much to prepare for a wedding."

"We have enough time," he replied firmly.

They continued discussing the arrangements, from the engagement gifts and guest list to the venue. I heard what they said, but none of it really registered.

"Olivia," Isaac suddenly called. "Do you have any preferences?"

I turned to look at him. "Not really. You can all decide."

Just then, Wade's gaze settled on the dress I was wearing. It was an old design from five years ago.

"Why don't I take you shopping later?" he offered warmly. "I haven't bought you any new clothes in years."

I tensed immediately.

"There's no need," I said, waving him off. "I have enough clothes."

Wade frowned. "Didn't you used to love shopping? You were always pestering me to take you, and we'd end up spending the whole day at the mall."

I hesitated for a moment.

"I was wrong back then," I said quietly. "I was immature and spent money carelessly."

The living room fell silent.

"Why don't we have the stores send everything over instead?" Isaac suggested.

I looked up, unsure what he meant.

"We can ask the sales associates at a few of your favorite boutiques to bring their latest collections over for you to choose from," Isaac explained casually.

"That works, too," Wade agreed, nodding. "Pick out a few outfits, and look at some jewelry while you're at it."

He reached out to ruffle my hair, just as he used to, but I recoiled before I even realized what I was doing.