CHAPTER 005
OLIVIA’S POV
Ipaced back and forth in my parent’s living room, my fists clenched lightly, trying to control the overwhelming anger and hurt that swelled inside me
My parents were sitting on the couch, looking at me as if I were the one in the wrong.
Olivia, you have to understand,” my mother said, her voice calm and soothing like she always did when she was trying to manipulate me and make me do her bidding.
Adrian’s investments in the company, the money, it’s all for the family. We can’t afford to lose that”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was this really how they saw me? A tool to keep the business running?
After telling them what I was going through in that marriage and how I caught him cheating on me on our matrimonial bed without even feeling guilty about his actions. after I caught him but instead threatened me.
This was what my biological mother could say to me.
I wanted to yell, but I didn’t. Instead, I clenched my jaw and spoke through gritted teeth. “What about me? What about my happiness?” My voice was barely a whisper, but the hurt was clear in every word
My father shifted in his seat, avoiding my eyes. “You know how important the business is to this family, Olivia,” he said. “You need to put that first. Adrian’s not perfect, but… staying with him, it’s the only way forward.”
I couldn’t believe this. They weren’t even looking at the bigger picture, weren’t seeing how broken I was.
How every day with Adrian damaged my self–esteem, causing me emotional trauma.
“I’m not a business deal, Dad!” I snapped. “You’re telling me to sacrifice my life just so you can keep this empire afloat. What about me? What about my future?”
My mother’s expression hardened, and she stood up, walking over to me. “We’re trying to help you, Olivia,” she said, her tone now loud. “You have a responsibility to your family, to this company. Adrian’s your husband, whether you like it or not.”
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m hurting Mom, I don’t even know who I am anymore. I’m not just some… accessory to this business. I’m your child – your blood”
My words hung in the air, but nothing changed. They were focused on the company, not me. I felt like I was suffocating.
I couldn’t take it anymore. With my heart racing, I stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me. I needed to get away, to think, to know my next step.
I walked out onto the estate, trying to clear my head. I was so lost, so trapped. My feet
CHAPTER 005
took me further down the long driveway, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and anger.
That’s when I saw her.
Dora.
The woman Adrian cheated on me with.
She was standing by the entrance to the estate like she’d been waiting for me. A smirk curled on her lips when she saw me.
What was she doing here? Was she also living here?
The White estate was quite expensive to afford. The apartment my parents lived in was bought by Adrian after we got married as a gift. I wondered how she could afford it, well I didn’t know much about her.
Dora didn’t have to say anything, I could feel the challenge in the air between us.
I stopped in my tracks, feeling every nerve in my body tense. I didn’t have the energy for this, not now. But I knew she wasn’t going to make it easy for me.
“Olivia,” she said, her voice dripping with venom and a fake smile etched on her face. “I didn’t expect to see you out here. Is everything okay at home? Or are you just too embarrassed to face Adrian after all that happened?”
My heart raced at the mention of Adrian. I wanted to walk away, but her words felt like á slap in the face. I stood my ground, meeting her gaze. “What do you want?”
She stepped closer, her heels clicking on the pavement. “What do I want? Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to see if you were still playing the dutiful wife… making a fool out of yourself.”
I could feel the anger boiling up inside me. And I was tempted to slap her across the face, but I held back. “Don’t think you’re better than me,” I spat. “You’re just a pathetic
little whore.”
Smack!
Her hands landed on my cheeks and I must admit it stung so bad. I also retaliated and slapped her too then started walking towards my car.
I was done trying to be gentle,
One minute I was walking to my car, the next I found myself falling face down, and I crashed to the pavement.
Dora pushed me.
Pain shot up my spine, and I gasped, but it was nothing compared to the sharp, burning pain in my abdomen.
I tried to lift myself, but something was wrong. I could feel the blood, the warmth spreading across my legs. My breath caught in my throat, panic flooding my senses and I could feel myself losing consciousness.
*Help me I managed to whisper.
Dora stood there, her expression now more smug than ever, like she’d won some game.
“Oops… Guess you’re just too fragile for this,” she said, her tone mocking. But even her words seemed distant now. I could barely hear her.
Everything felt blurry like I was sinking. I didn’t know how long I lay there.
Then I heard someone shouting for help before I blacked out completely.
Sukes