Chapter 3

"I don't believe you anymore," I said coldly. "Logan, keep blocking me and I'll report you for workplace harassment."

I turned to leave.

The next second, someone slammed into me.

I stumbled, sharp pain shooting through my waist.

Then she threw herself into Logan's arms and chirped, "Logan! I came to have lunch with you!"

I hadn't planned to make a scene.

But Raine pulled away from Logan and blocked my way.

Her usual attitude was gone.

Tears filled her eyes as she tugged on my sleeve.

"Olivia, I'm sorry. I don't even know what I did wrong, but Logan already yelled at me. You know I was abandoned when I was little. I'm just scared that once Logan marries you, he won't want me anymore. Can you forgive me this once?"

Coworkers started whispering.

"So that's what Olivia's really like? Bullying Mr. Dunne's sister?"

"No wonder she lost all five babies. Maybe she deserved it."

I stayed silent.

Raine suddenly ran into the break room and came back with a cup of steaming coffee.

She held it out.

"Olivia, please. I'll serve you properly from now on. I'll respect you. Just forgive me. Otherwise, Logan will hit me."

I was done.

I lifted my hand to push it away.

The next second, coffee splashed all over my hand.

Blisters rose instantly.

But Logan shoved me aside and pulled Raine into his arms, checking her over.

"Raine, are you hurt?"

Raine burst into tears. "Logan, don't blame Olivia. She didn't mean to push me. I made her mad. I deserve whatever punishment I get."

Logan's expression darkened.

Before I could react, his hand cracked across my face. "Have you had enough? Picking on a kid? What kind of person does that make you?

"I've spoiled you for way too long."

I was the one with blisters covering my hand.

I was the one who got hurt.

Yet not once in the five years we'd been together had Logan chosen to believe me over her.

Not once.

And suddenly, I was too tired to argue.

Too tired to defend myself.

Too tired to listen to my coworkers whispering and throwing accusations my way.

I turned and ran.

Out of the office.

Out of the building.

Straight to the hospital.

The burn was on my right hand.

The exam was tomorrow.

My only chance to get away from him.

My only chance to start over.

I wasn't giving it up.

After getting my hand patched up, I bailed for the day and went back to the motel to study.

***

The next morning, I walked into work ready.

I'd barely sat down when Logan burst in, grabbed my arm, and hauled me toward the door.

"We're getting our marriage license tomorrow, and you're still taking that Ebonport test? Is this your little way of pissing me off?"

I tore free. "Are you deaf? We're done. Stop running my life."

"I don't agree!"

He bent down, tossed me over his shoulder, and carried me out.

I thrashed hard, fists slamming into his back.

My hand split open. Blood soaked through the bandage.

He still wouldn't let go.

Just then, a tall guy stepped into the doorway.

"I'm here to proctor today's exam. Mr. Dunne, are you trying to make a scene?"

It was Noah Nordstrom, the chairman's son at Nordstrom Corp.

Logan froze and reluctantly set me down.

"Mr. Nordstrom, it's just a misunderstanding. Olivia isn't taking the exam."

I cut in before he could say another word. "I am taking the exam. And I'm going to pass."

Logan looked ready to argue, but one glance at Noah's ice-cold stare shut him up.

The exam went off without a hitch.

By three that afternoon, I was heading to check my results when I noticed something weird.

The way my coworkers looked at me had completely changed.