03

Olivia's POV

The day flew by in a blur of paperwork and meetings. I was still piling up files at my desk when my phone buzzed.

"Shit!" I glanced at the time. 6:45 PM.

Marcus's party. I'd completely forgotten about our little "appointment." Not that I was eager to attend, but I needed to see what new games he and his conspirators were playing.

I rushed to the company shower, my ankle still throbbing beneath the cast. The warm water did little to ease the tension in my shoulders. Whatever they were planning tonight, I needed to stay sharp.

Stepping out with a towel wrapped around me, I nearly collided with a broad chest.

"Marcus?" I gasped. "What are you doing here?"

His eyes traveled down my barely-covered body, and I clutched the towel tighter to my body.

"Picking you up, of course." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Can't have my beautiful wife arrive alone."

"I told you I'd come myself."

"Change of plans." He dangled his car keys. "I'll wait outside while you get dressed."

Twenty minutes later, we were in his sleek black Audi, tension thick between us. He placed his hand on my thigh, and it took everything in me not to flinch.

"You look stunning," he said, eyes fixed on the road.

"Thanks." I stared out the window, wondering what humiliation awaited me tonight.

We arrived at a high-end hotel downtown. Marcus was the perfect gentleman, opening doors, his hand possessively on my lower back as we entered. People turned to stare, whispering behind their hands. The rumors from yesterday were clearly still circulating.

"Smile," Marcus whispered in my ear. "Everyone's watching."

"That's the point, isn't it?" I muttered, but plastered on a fake smile anyway.

As we made our way through the crowd, I spotted a familiar face that made my blood run cold.

"Victoria?"

My adopted sister approached us, champagne glass in hand. Last I heard, she was conspiring with Natalie against me. Now she was beaming like we were best friends.

"Olivia!" She embraced me, the scent of expensive perfume overwhelming. "I'm so glad you came! I've been worried sick about your ankle."

I pulled back, searching her face for signs of deception. "That's new. Last week you barely acknowledged my existence."

She laughed, a tinkling sound that set my teeth on edge. "Water under the bridge! Family is family, right?"

Before I could respond, a hand touched my shoulder. I turned to find Natalie, Marcus's sister who had pushed me off the balcony looking contrite.

"Olivia, I've been looking everywhere for you." Her eyes were red-rimmed, as if she'd been crying. "I need to apologize for yesterday. It was an accident, I swear."

"Sure it was," I said flatly.

She produced two champagne glasses from nowhere. "Please, let me make it up to you. A peace offering?"

I eyed the drinks suspiciously. "Not thirsty, thanks."

Marcus's grip tightened on my waist. "Don't be rude, Olivia. Natalie's trying to apologize."

"I'm not angry," I said coolly. "Just not interested in drinking."

"Take it," Marcus hissed in my ear, his fingers digging into my side.

I looked at the two glasses and had a sudden inspiration. "If you're really sorry, Natalie, why don't you drink both? Show me there's nothing to worry about."

Natalie's face paled. "I…"

Before she could finish, Marcus snatched one glass and gripped my jaw with his free hand. "Stop being difficult," he growled, forcing the rim against my lips.

The liquid spilled into my mouth before I could stop it. I swallowed reflexively, panic rising in my chest.

"Excuse me," I choked out, pulling away from Marcus. "Bathroom."

I limped as quickly as my injured ankle would allow, locking myself in a stall. Whatever they'd put in that drink, I needed to get it out now. I stuck two fingers down my throat, gagging until everything came up. Tears streamed down my face as I heaved again and again, making sure my stomach was empty.

After cleaning myself up, I slipped out of the bathroom and found an empty conference room down the hall. My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and dialed.

"David? It's Olivia. I need you."

David Lawrence was more than my lawyer, he was the only person besides Jane I truly trusted. And lately, I'd noticed the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn't paying attention.

"What's wrong?" His voice was instantly alert. "Where are you?"

I gave him the address. "Please hurry."

Fifteen minutes later, David appeared in the doorway of my hideout, concern etched on his handsome face.

"You look terrible," he said bluntly.

I laughed despite myself. "Thanks. Just what a girl wants to hear."

He closed the door behind him. "What happened?"

I told him everything, the drugged drink, Marcus's behavior, Victoria's suspicious friendliness, everything entirely.

"We need to get you out of here," David said, his jaw tight with anger. "And you need to start divorce proceedings. This is beyond toxic, Olivia."

"I can't leave yet. I need evidence of what they're planning."

"You're not safe here." He ran a hand through his dark hair. "At least let me get you home."

We shared a bottle of water he had in his jacket pocket, the simple act of kindness nearly bringing me to tears after everything that had happened.

"Come on," he said, helping me up. "Let's go before they realize you're missing."

We'd almost made it to the parking lot when a sickly-sweet voice called out behind us.

"Olivia! There you are!"

Natalie hurried toward us, fake concern plastered across her face. "We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"I'm not feeling well," I said. "David's taking me home."

She glanced at David's hand supporting my elbow, her eyes narrowing. "Marcus is your husband. He should be the one taking care of you."

Before David could respond, Marcus appeared, his expression thunderous when he saw us together.

"What the hell is this?" he demanded, yanking my hand away from David's.

"Your wife was feeling unwell," David said coolly. "Something about a drink someone forced her to take."

Marcus's glare could have melted steel. "This is between me and my wife. Back off, Lawrence."

"Olivia asked for my help," David stood his ground. "And considering you just tried to…."

"It's a lover's quarrel," Natalie interrupted, smiling sweetly at David. "You understand, don't you? They'll work it out."

"No!" I tried to pull away from Marcus. "David, don't listen to them."

But Marcus was already dragging me toward his car, his grip bruising my wrist.

"We're going home," he growled. "Now."

I looked back desperately at David, who was being physically blocked by Natalie and two security guards who'd appeared out of nowhere.

As Marcus shoved me into the passenger seat, one thought crystallized in my mind. This wasn't just a toxic marriage anymore. It is now a war…