I returned to the living room and sat on the couch, unable to get those images out of my head.Finding Jessica’s things here is a stark reminder. I should never fall for Theo’s tricks.Although her things aren’t supposed to be in the guest room, maybe those were just extras, and there are a lot more of her things in the master bedroom. Goodness! I’m making a big mistake.I stared at the ceiling, resting my head on the couch’s armrest. Everything in this home reminds me of the times we were still married.Nothing has changed. Not the decorations or furniture. I closed my eyes, breathing out a soft sigh.Three days. I’ll only have to spend three days here at most. Whatever is going on in Theo’s life is none of my business. Not his confession or his relationship with Jessica. It’s not like I want anything to do with him in the first place, so finding Jessica’s things here shouldn’t have any effect on me…Yet, my mind strayed, my thoughts traveling to five years ago. Our wedding photo
I walked inside the building, lost for a moment in staring at the familiar walls. My heart beat with an unsteady rhythm, my fingers curling. I can do this. For Dave. When I entered the living room, Theo was already there, descending from the stairs. Each echo of his footstep sent shudders across my skin.“What’s your plan?” I folded my hands. Theo stopped walking in front of me, his smile widening. “The plan is simple. Live with me. Convince Grandpa that we’re back together so we can get our son’s custody. If Dave lives with us, Granpa’s decisions won’t have much influence on him.”“What if your grandfather insists?” I sat down, sighing.Why hadn’t I thought about that?Is coming here necessary when I’m not so confident about his plan yet?“He won’t.” Theo sat beside me. “I have a feeling that Grandpa will stop meddling once we both unite.”“That’s only your intuition…” I shifted, maintaining some distance from him. “What if the outcome is different?”What if his grandfather sees
Actually, Theo has a good point. But I know what he’s driving at.He’s not doing this solely for the sake of his mission. The man will seize every opportunity to his own advantage. “You have to think of better ways to blackmail me, Mr. Wellington,” I scoffed. “Dave is your responsibility as much as he’s mine. Being selfish in this matter… doesn’t that make you heartless?”“Olivia, you’re getting me wrong.” His voice was unusually cool. “Yes, I want you to come back to me, but I’m not gonna force you. Instead, I’ll let you come back willingly by winning your heart.”I scoffed.Why do his words contradict his actions?“However, it is important for this mission,” He added. “Grandpa will soon send Dave abroad. We must act fast, that’s why I’m asking us to reunite.”“And then…?” I bit my tongue.Honestly, I don’t want to trust him. It’s hard to believe that Theo will only be doing this for the sake of the mission.What if he seizes this opportunity to… Never! I shook my head, breaking off
…Olivia’s POV.Theo’s mother’s involvement should accelerate our progress. He should have no other choice but to dissuade Grandpa, right?Hopefully.I sighed, my heart still troubled. I’m not even sure of the outcome yet, and the anxiety won’t go away. Theo might have promised his mother, but he still appeared hesitant.What if he found a way out of this? What if he’s able to turn down our request without taking his mother’s health into account?Because obviously, he’s more afraid of his grandfather than anyone else in this world. Does that mean I’ll have no other choice but to use my last resort?Spilling the secret will definitely cause a feud between him and his grandfather. It’s the last thing I ever want to happen. But, what if I’m left with no other choice?So far, Theo hadn’t acted yet. Maybe I should give him some time.As Ethan’s home came into view, my mind veered off the topic momentarily, yet my anxiety lingered underneath the grief arising. I’d just dropped Dave off a
‘Never underestimate a mother’s love.’Long after I’d left the hospital, those words still echoed in my mind. Was it purely out of love or just an emotional tantrum? How could both women be so bothered by this tiny issue?With Mom taking Olivia’s side now, I’m left in a tight spot. Turning both women down will cost me a great deal of loss. My Mom’s health can decline. I can potentially lose my chance of winning Olivia’s heart again. Thinking that Olivia had already let go of the matter, I never saw this coming. I never expected her to convince my Mom so easily. “Mr. Wellington, hope everything’s alright.” A voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Lifting my head, I found my assistant standing in front of me. I didn’t even notice when he entered the office.“I was reporting the new case with the Finance Department, but you seemed to be lost in your thoughts. Is something bothering you, Sir?” Jake asked.A new case… again?Why do problems keep arising in this company? Just after I solv
How did she know?Who told her that Grandpa was sending Dave abroad? Was it one of the servants?Honestly, this matter is nothing to fret about. But just like Olivia, my Mom is overreacting. “Mom–”“Don’t tell me you can’t do it, and your grandfather’s decision is the best,” She interrupted me, as if reading my mind. “Son, I just want you to stop that greedy old man from having his way. Don’t let him dictate your son’s life like he did to you. You must put an end to it.”“Mom, I understand…” I couldn’t help but glance at the heart monitor now and then, fearing the hike in her emotions.Now I have to be very careful with whatever I say. Knowing my mother’s heart is weak, that person still went ahead to tell her this. Did they have a death wish?Grandpa built me. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. All he’s after is a great future for my son.But, Mom… She has always acted on impulse, driven by her emotions. Her clinginess would have limited my success if Gran