Rose Abertton (II)

I swallowed hard, part of me understanding Rose’s point.

“Fine,” I said, forcing a smile to hide the sting of her words. “I’ll stay home. Maybe I’ll light the fireplace, poke at the ashes, and wait for my fairy godmother.” I tried to laugh it off. “And Dad, please don’t die.”

“Mom might lock Olivia in the attic,” Isabelle said, bursting into laughter.

“We don’t have an attic,” Rose snapped, her face deadly serious.

“Maybe I’ll be stuck with only mice for company,” I sighed, keeping my tone light. “Don’t worry, Rose, I know you’re not a wicked stepmother.” I smiled, careful not to sound sarcastic.

Rose took a deep breath and shouted for the maid. “Clear my plate! I’ve lost my appetite. Besides, I can’t eat anything for the next twenty-four hours. I need to fit into that Prada dress I bought ages ago and never wore. Or do you think I should get a new one, darling?”

“No shopping, Rose,” Dad said, his voice so serious I actually got worried. “The private jet’s already going to be a stretch.”

“Alright, then,” Rose said, spinning dramatically as if she were the star of her own show, missing only the cackle of a fairy-tale villain. “I’ll wear the dress still with its tags. Rita flies in on a jet, Olivia stays home, Isabelle gets a new dress, and the dinner’s set!”

“Dad,” I said, finally tasting the bland fish prepared for me, “I think someone forgot to pay my college tuition. I got a notice about overdue payments.”

“Oh…” Dad gave an awkward smile.

“Are we… having financial problems?” I asked cautiously.

“Of course not,” he said quickly.

“You should drop out of med school, Olivia,” Rose chimed in. “Why not work at your father’s company instead?”

“Work?” I said, incredulous. “I’m only nineteen!”

“Medicine is a demanding field that requires effort, dedication, and intelligence,” Rose continued, her tone cutting. “I don’t mean to be harsh, but let’s be honest—I don’t think you’re cut out for it. I know kids of friends who are far brighter than you and couldn’t hack it. Why not pick something easier? And cheaper? Plus, once you graduate, you won’t even be able to use the Abertton name since you’re not a real Abertton. You’ll have a degree but no name. Who’d see a doctor like that?”

“I am Olivia Abertton,” I said firmly. “I have a last name.”

“Sure, but hardly anyone knows it comes from Ernest Abertton,” Rose shot back. “You wouldn’t want to tarnish your father’s reputation—or the family’s—by making that public, would you?”

“But she’s not family!” Isabelle said with a grin, shrugging. “So why should she care?”

“Why are you such a brat?” Rose snapped at her youngest.

“Why are you so mean?” Isabelle fired back.

“Please, no fighting because of me,” I said, stepping in. “If there’s an issue with tuition, I can try for a scholarship.”

“With what name?” Rose asked, her voice icy.

“Olivia,” I said, meeting her gaze steadily. “I have a brain, in case you hadn’t noticed. And maybe I don’t need to use your last name, which, by the way, comes from my father.”

“Enough!” Dad said, rubbing his temples. “Please, stop.”

I stood immediately and hugged him from behind as he sat in his chair. “I’m sorry, Dad,” I said, kissing his cheek.

“It’s okay,” he said, glancing at Rose. “It’s just a dinner. Don’t drive me crazy, please. I’ve got enough on my plate.” He got up and left the dining room.

I waited until he was gone and turned to Rose.

“This is all your fault, as usual,” she said, pointing a furious finger at me before storming out, huffing.

“Your fault for existing,” Isabelle said, her tone serious as she looked at me. “I have to put up with her because she’s my mom. But you? How do you do it?”

I laughed and walked over to her, pulling her into a warm hug. “Patience,” I said. “It’s probably my best quality. Nothing can shake my peace or make me suffer anymore. I’ve already been through enough in my life.”

“You’re a saint, Olivia,” she said. “Is there a Saint Olivia? Can I add you to the list of saints?”

We burst out laughing, and then her eyes glinted with that mischievous look that meant she was about to tickle me to death. I bolted for my room, running like my life depended on it.

Later, I was lying in bed when Dad knocked and came in. The room was dark.

“Came to say goodnight to my sweetheart,” he said, his voice as warm and loving as ever.

“Hmm, I love that,” I said. “You know I can’t sleep without your goodnight kiss.”

Dad sat on the edge of my bed, kissed my forehead, and ran his fingers gently through my hair. “You’re just like her,” he said, his voice heavy with longing and regret.

“I’d never want to be like her, Dad,” I said firmly, knowing we were talking about my mother.

Who’d want to be like a mother who was a prostitute? Only I knew the horrors I’d endured growing up in that awful place.

“You’re sweet,” he said. “And despite everything, those beautiful dark eyes of yours never stop shining.”

“I can’t be too sweet, Dad. That’d be bad for me,” I said, laughing softly.

“Never lose who you are,” he said. “It’s impossible not to fall in love with you, Olivia Abertton.”

“Your wife doesn’t seem to think so,” I pointed out.

“And yet, that doesn’t seem to faze you, sweetheart.”

“Rose is a saint compared to some people I’ve known,” I said. “So, I’m actually grateful to have her around.”

“I love you, sweetheart,” he said.

“I love you too, Dad.”

As soon as he left, I grabbed my phone and messaged my sister.

@olivia_ Who’s riding in a private jet?

@rita_ The girl who’s gonna marry the richest guy in the country.

@olivia_ I wanna be your sister-in-law!

@rita_ You’re too young to get married, girl!

@isabelle_ No, I’m too young to get married!

@olivia_ What are you doing up, you little brat?

@isabelle_ I’m nervous about meeting the CEO. Should I DM Jorel, @olivia?

@olivia_ Yes @isabelle, tell him I’ve been dreaming about him since I saw him on TV saying North Noriah was a backwater province lol

@rita_ I’m thrilled. Soon I’ll have a massive diamond on my finger.

@olivia_ And I’ll be one step closer to meeting Jorel Clifford, the love of my life.

@rita_ You can’t love him! You don’t even know him!

@isabelle_ Says the woman who’s talking about a diamond ring from a guy she’s never met!

@olivia_ If Jorel ignores me, at least I’ll see him at family gatherings. I can drool over him then!

@rita_ How can you like a jerk like Jorel Clifford?

@olivia_ The same way you’re marrying heartless CEO Gabe Clifford.

@rita_ logged off

@isabelle_ logged off

I looked at the photo of Jorel on my nightstand and smiled. “I think we’re finally going to meet, my gorgeous.”