LOGINThe words were delivered with an exaggerated sweetness that was truly venomous, but Olivia didn't even flinch. The words were nothing compared to the verbal lashings Mrs. Hilton made her endure on a daily basis. “Come on, girls, she’s not even worth our time.” Marian finally found her voice. She tu
The dinner went off without a hitch. After clearing the last course of the meal, the precious wine everyone had been waiting for was poured. Lianne gracefully rose from her seat, her glass raised to propose a toast. Everyone turned, and the chatter faded into a respectful silence. “Thank you all f
“She's an excellent painter, Auntie,” Clayton replied with a hint of pride in his tone. He placed an arm around Olivia's shoulder before adding, "You'll love her work.” Olivia’s cheeks burned at his praise. She dipped her chin, her gaze darting to the ground. “Let's go inside. Everyone's waiting,”
Olivia had barely gathered her composure when the car door opened. Clayton offered her his hand, and she took it without hesitation. The gentle warmth of his palm seeped into hers, offering a strangely comforting sensation. Her chaotic thoughts gradually faded, replaced by an unexpected sense of co
Olivia shook her head disapprovingly. “You can’t just go around punching people, even if they’re trying to escape." “He was lucky to get away with just a scratch,” Clayton replied, but his expression darkened. A protective glint flickered in his eyes, one that Olivia thought she might have imagined
Bea looked down at her feet, then wiggled her toes a little. Olivia held out her hand. “Can you squeeze my hand?” The little girl reached out slowly and squeezed her hand. After examining Bea’s vital signs on the monitor and seeing that everything's normal, she turned to Mr. and Mrs. Perez. "She'
Olivia's phone buzzed in her pocket. She jumped to her feet in panic, seeing Clayton's name lit up on the screen. She knew she had to answer but couldn't muster the strength to do so. What would she tell him? That the woman he could not forget was alive? She let the phone ring until it stopped.
The warmth of Clayton's palm sent shivers down her spine, igniting a thousand conflicting emotions. The priest began to speak solemnly. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." Olivia stood perfectly still, like a porcelain doll, her surroundings fading into a blur as she mentally retreated
Lily led Olivia to a corner of the gallery, where a single painting was displayed behind glass. “What do you think? When I first saw it, it reminded me of the friend who gave it to me. Then I saw you and thought, ‘This looks like Olivia!’” Olivia took one look at the painting of a woman with one bl
Olivia's jaw dropped. She had imagined a plethora of situations, but none of them included the thought that Isabelle could be Clayton's sister. Recovering her composure, she closed her wide-open mouth and then looked at Isabelle. “It never occurred to me that you two are siblings. I’m so sorry I







