OLIVIAโฉA loud banging on the door jolted me awake. I shot up from the bed and immediately smacked my head against the headboard.โฉWincing, I clutched my forehead. Who on earth was pounding on my door like that?โฉโOlivia!โ my motherโs voice rang out from the hallway. I sighed and slumped back against the headboard. Of course. It was just her.โฉโGo wash up and come downstairs,โ she called. โBoth of you. Breakfastโs ready.โโฉI heard her footsteps fade away down the hall. Yawning, I stretched my arms over my head, trying to shake off the heavy sleep still clinging to me.โฉBeside me, Christian shifted slightly. I glanced over, expecting him to wake up, but he stayed fast asleep.โฉFor a moment, I just stared at him. His face was so relaxed in sleep, the usual sharpness of his features softened. I couldnโt help myselfโI reached out and lightly traced the line of his jaw with my fingertip and a small smile pulled at my lips. How could he be this handsome?โฉI like you, Olivia.โฉThe words echoe
OLIVIABut most of them were too small, too fitted and definitely not made for someone with Christianโs build.โฉAfter a few more minutes of searching and silently cursing myself, I sighed and pushed my hair out of my face.โฉโThis isnโt going to work. Everything here would look like a crop top on you.โI turned toward him, already dreading my next words. โI guessโฆ weโll have to ask James.โโฉHe raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by my discomfort. I ignored him and hurried out of the room.โฉLuckily, James was just stepping out of his room as I reached the hallway.โฉWithout thinking, I grabbed his arm and yanked him back inside, shutting the door behind us.โฉโWhat the hellโ?โ he started, but I cut him off.โฉโCan I borrow a shirt? And maybe some shorts?โโฉHe blinked at me, confused for half a second, then smirked. โFor Christian?โโฉI nodded impatiently.โฉHe shrugged and walked over to his closet. After a bit of rummaging, he pulled out a pair of loose black pants and a sky-blue flannel
MICHAELโฉโWhenโs he getting here?โ I glanced at Lydia, who was tapping her foot against the gazebo floor, clearly losing patience.โฉI let out a small sigh, scratching my brow. โAny minute now.โโฉShe turned away, and for a few moments, silence hung between us.โฉโSo let me get this straight,โ I said, eyeing her. โYou promised your parents some kind of partnership with my family in exchange for their investment in Blackwood Hotel and Air. More specifically, you promised them some connection to a Blackwood.โโฉShe glanced at me from the corner of her eyes, letting out a sigh. โDid you really think this was just about Olivia? Sheโs standing in the way of something bigger than sheโll ever know.โโฉI raised an eyebrow. โWell, I think this started because you couldnโt handle the rejection, especially because of her.โ I leaned in slightly. โAnd in your desperation to get closer to Christian, you made a deal with your parents. I wonder how theyโll react when they find out youโre no closer to gett
OLIVIAโฉโIโm glad you could join us, Lydia.โโฉI looked from Mr. Blackwood to Lydia, who beamed at each other, a slow burn of rage and discomfort working its way up my spine.โฉWhen Christian had mentioned this dinner, I didnโt expect Lydia to be attending too.โฉIf I had known, I probably wouldnโt have come because now, all I could think about was leaping across the table and clawing her face off.โฉSliding into the seat next to Michael, Lydia flashed me a sly grin. I didnโt bother acknowledging it, my gaze instead drifting to notice something else: Michaelโs wife was absent tonight.โฉI narrowed my eyes slightly.โฉWas Lydia the reason his wife wasnโt here?โฉAt the far end of the table, Ophelia sat stiffly, shooting daggers at Lydia.โฉGuess no one really wanted her here except Mr. Blackwood and Michael, judging by their faces.โฉChristian, on the other hand, sat beside me, completely unbothered, as if no one of any significance shared this table with us.โฉLetting out a silent breath, I wis
OLIVIAHe sat down heavily, his glare burning into both of them before turning it directly onto Christian. โI donโt think you have enough reasons to turn Miss Haleโs offer down.โโฉChristian exhaled. โI understand youโre the chairman, Grandfather,โ he said. โBut Iโm the president of Blackwood Hotel and Air. I have the full right to make these decisions.โ He let the words settle in the heavy silence. โAnd frankly, having this discussion right now is an insult to my relationship and I wonโt tolerate it.โโฉHis gaze slid to Lydia, his jaw clenching. โI wonโt accept her investment, and I sure as hell wonโt bring her onto my board. Not just because sheโs an insufferable, exhausting human being but because she has no place there. Quite frankly,โ he added. โShe knows nothing about business. So why bother?โโฉLydia looked stricken, her mouth hanging open like she couldnโt believe what she was hearing.โฉAnd for once, I could actually savor the silence that followed.โฉJust then, Ophelia broke the
OLIVIAโฉI sat beside Christian in the backseat of the moving car, stealing glances at him when I thought he wouldnโt notice.โฉโYou know I can feel you staring, right?โ he said without opening his eyes.โฉHeat rushed to my cheeks and I quickly turned to the window, pretending to admire the passing streets.โฉHe sighed and shifted slightly toward me. โWhat is it?โโฉI fiddled with the hem of my dress. โIโm justโฆ surprised,โ I admitted, sneaking a look at him. โThe way you stood up for me tonight, how you made it clear to everyone that I come first.โ My voice trailed off in a shrug. โIt wasโฆ kind of hot.โโฉHe scoffed under his breath, the corner of his mouth lifting. โYou fixate on the smallest things, Olivia. Sometimes itโs cute, other times, itโs justโฆโ he trailed off with a low chuckle.โฉโWhat?โ I turned toward him, pouting. โI mean,โ I waved a hand, โyou see it all the time in movies and books. The guy just sits there like a dumbass while his girlfriend gets humiliated. Isnโt that weird
OLIVIAI smiled. โYeah, Iโm good.โ โฉHe nodded once and rose to his feet, casually shrugging off his shirt. I didnโt even pretend not to look. โฉThe hard lines of his body, the way his muscles flexed when he tossed the shirt aside, it was enough to send my thoughts spinning.โฉWithout thinking, I reached for him, my hands finding his waist.โฉHe stilled, his eyes dropping to mine. โWhatโs that look for?โ he asked, a slow smile playing on his lips. โฉSmirking, I tugged at his trousers, pulling him down onto the bed with me.โฉHe landed beside me with a low grunt, and before he could catch his breath, I pushed him onto his back, climbing on top of him with a wicked grin.โฉI bent low, dragging my tongue slowly down his chest, savoring the way his body trembled beneath me, each shiver sending a pulse of heat straight to my core.โฉHis muscles tightened, his hand coming down with a sharp slap to my ass, making me gasp and then laugh, breathless with excitement.โฉI kissed my way back up to his
OLIVIAโฉI groaned in exhaustion, glancing out the window.โฉMiss Elowen had been yapping on and on for what felt like over two hours, and I was bored out of my mind. After everything that happened between us a while ago, I couldnโt focus in her class for the life of me.โฉI tried to steer my thoughts somewhere else, but they kept drifting.โฉBack to Christian.โฉBack to the way his body had moved against mine last night. The way we were both sweaty and desperate, tangled up in each other, until I was half out of my mind.โฉSighing heavily, I picked up my phone.โฉLiam had sent a few texts, checking on me, and I decided to respond to some. There was one from Nicholas too, but I didnโt even bother opening it.โฉAfter a few minutes of scrolling through social media and getting even more restless, I huffed out a breath, feeling hot and uncomfortable in my own skin.โฉWhat was this heat?โฉIn the haze of boredom, a thought crossed my mind. Chewing the inside of my cheek, I slid to my contacts and p
Christianโs POVMy cock throbbed even harder as I stared down at the green-eyed beauty that sucked the living daylights out of me, with half-lidded eyes, her pink tongue swirling around the tip.God, she would be the death of me.Groaning in pleasure, and unable to hold back anymore, I gently pushed her back on the bed, my cock jutting out like a sword as I straddled her.โHow much do you want me, Olivia?โ I demanded, my eyes running down her face, lingering on her nipples, as I stroked her clit with the tip of my cock.Slowly, I pushed in the tip, my jaw clenching with suppressed hunger and desire. โThis much?โโNo, a little more,โ she breathed, her fingers gliding over my back.Taut veins bulging on the side of my neck, I pushed in a little bit further, her clit hugging my pulsating cock, and we both gasped as a tingling sensation washed down my skin.โThis much?โ I whispered in her ear, my arm snaking around her waist and positioning her perfectly underneath me.She nodded slowly,
Oliviaโs POVI shifted gently on the bed, half asleep, as I reached for Christian on the other side of the bed.When my fingers donโt connect with his skin in the next few minutes, my eyes fluttered open, only to find he wasnโt there.Where was he?I ran my eyes over the room slowly, groaning, and eventually, they landed on him in the corner, a wine glass between his fingers, staring down at me intently.Fear zapped through me for a split second as I stared at him, and I fully opened my eyes and sat up gently in the bed.I pushed my fingers through my hair and rubbed my eyes. โAre you okay?โโYeah,โ he replied, nodding. โI just couldnโt sleep,โ he continued, โso I decided to just watch you sleep, instead.โI swallowed, sticking out my tongue to lick my lower lip. His hot gaze followed the movement, darkening, and he immediately pushed himself off the wall, moving towards the bedside table to pour me a glass of water from the carafe.Still keeping his eyes on me, he inched forward and
Oliviaโs POVI remained very rigid as Christian carried me into the car, gently placing me on the seat and leaning forward to strap on my seatbelt.I felt like a toddler, with the way he was carrying me, but I couldnโt even argue with him, because he was probably annoyed with me too.But how could I have refused his grandfatherโs orders to appear at the hospital? It wasnโt like I could do that and not expect to face his wrathโฆSighing heavily, I watched through the rearview mirror as Christian took the car key from the driver and dismissed him, walking over to the driverโs side.As he got in, I kept my gaze transfixed on him. More out of disbelief and curiosity.He jammed the key into the ignition, and the engine rumbled to life.โWhy are you taking me home yourself?โ I demanded in a loud voice, trying to get myself heard over the engine noise. โWhat about the driver?โChristian waited until the noise had died down, the engine still running, before he turned his gaze to me. โI sent hi
Oliviaโs POVDespite my leg, when Mr. Blackwood demanded to see the entire family, including me, I had to be present.Although Iโd been shocked I was even included in the listโฆBut there was no time for questions because Michael was lying on a hospital bed right now.I scratched my arm, glancing across the hallways as I wondered where Christian was.Why wasnโt he here yet?Sighing, I turned towards Michaelโs ward, staring a bit longingly as I wondered if his injuries were severe or extreme.We havenโt even seen him yet. It was just Mr. Blackwood with him in there, ever since we arrived, plus he had just come out of surgery an hour ago.I didnโt even care about Lydia, if she was alive. Or not.Was I being too harsh?I let out another huge sigh, throwing my head backwards and closing my eyes. I felt Ophelia sink in next to me then, and she threw an arm around my shoulders.I peeled my eyes open to see she looked as scared as I was feeling, despite trying to act strong.โHeโll be okay,โ
Oliviaโs POVI picked out the lettuce in my burger, staring at it with a scrunched up nose and twisted lips.I couldnโt understand why I wasnโt enjoying this very delicious-looking snack.What was it?Because Iโd been in bed, alone, all day? Or it just wasnโt good, maybe only aesthetically pleasing?The constant ache in my heart was a sharp reminder that my mother and James werenโt around me. I missed them so badly, and I never even thought that would happen, and soon.And there was Christian, who was probably at work, snooping around and trying to find whoever had tried to kill me.I knew he was really into finding that out, because Iโd overheard some series of calls heโd made earlier.I sighed, gently placing the burger down on the plate.I wanted him home with me, cuddling me, his presence reassuring me that I was safe. I was tired of being alone.Just then, my phone rang on the bedside table, and I sat up straighter, and excitedly leaned forward to grab it off the table.But the s
Christianโs POVMartha and the staff were already waiting downstairs, like Iโd instructed, and as I pushed down the stairs, I sighed heavily, threading my fingers through my hair.I sunk into one of the couches as I got to the ground floor, gesturing towards Martha who stood to the side. โPlease, sit.โShe nodded and dropped into the couch opposite me, and I turned my attention to the other maids that stood to the side.โIโm sure youโre all aware I have a guest,โ I started in a clear voice, linking my fingers between my knees and leaning forward, sweeping my gaze from one face to the other, and they nodded quietly.โAs you know,โ I continued, โI rarely bring anyone here, so sheโs no ordinary guest.โ I paused, my gaze straying to Martha. โSheโs special.โโSheโs my future,โ I continued without missing a beat, โmy home. So you must make sure she feels at home all the time.โI nodded as I spoke, pulling out my phone from my pocket. โAlso, sheโs pregnant,โ I announced, โso you have to be c
OLIVIAIt was as if he sensed my shift in mood, and he moved closer. โYou should think bad thoughts more often,โ he said, his tone teasing. โKeeps your mind occupied.โ Yeah, just like the doctor advised. Heโd mentioned how common it was for accident victims to suffer from PTSD or depression, how they often spiraled by reliving the trauma. Heโd encouraged me to focus on the present, to appreciate the people around me, and to learn to accept what had happened, no matter how difficult. It was complicated. But I knew Christian was trying to help me avoid those darker thoughts. Truth be told, I didnโt want them either, especially after the nightmares that had been haunting me for the past few days. โWhat bad thoughts?โ I asked, focusing on him. โRemember our texts?โ My face flushed instantly, the heat spreading like wildfire. โIf youโre planning on staying in this room with me,โ I muttered, โthatโsโฆ a really bad idea.โ โWhy?โ he asked, as he casually began unbuttoning his shirt.
OLIVIA The car came to a stop in front of Christianโs penthouse, and I winced at the thought of getting out. My wheelchair sat beside me, its cold frame a reminder of just how much Iโd have to rely on it for the next few weeks. My arms didnโt ache so much, but walking was out of the question. A large shard of glass had embedded itself in my thighs, the injury so close to making me fear the worst, that Iโd lost the baby. My ribs were fractured, too, but the pain was muted, likely drowned out by the painkillers theyโd pumped into me. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing for the struggle of getting out of the car. But before I could even reach for the handles, Christian was already at my side, opening the door. He moved without hesitation, setting up the wheelchair and lifting me into it with careful hands. โI told you not to bother with that,โ he muttered, crouching in front of me and adjusting the footrest before standing to push me toward the building. I narrow
MICHAELโSo,โ he said, drawing me out of my spiraling thoughts, โAre you ready to listen?โI bit back the urge to tell him to go fuck himself. My fists curled at my sides, my whole body burning with humiliation and rage.Still, I gave a stiff nod, betraying the violent thoughts in my head.โListen,โ Lydia cut in, as she stepped closer, โIf you have a solution, then we need to hear it. Because Christian will start his investigations soon.โ Cain shifted his stance, turning fully toward her. โItโs simple,โ he said. โIโll stage a similar accident. For youโฆ and for Michael.โI blinked at him, stunned.What?โHow the fuck is that supposed to fix anything?โ I asked, barely keeping my voice level.Cainโs mouth twitched, like he was amused by how little we understood.โAnother accident will make you both look like victims too,โ he explained calmly, as if he was talking about staging a fucking birthday party. โThis plan will shift suspicion. Itโll look like someoneโs after your family and Oli