Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“But then Olivia came into my life,” I continued, my eyes locked on hers, “and everything changed. She showed me what it means to open your heart, to let people in. And now”—I saw tears glistening in Olivia's eyes, matching the ones forming in my own—“now we're about to start a family of our own.”
Everyone turned to Olivia whose hands lay on her stomach. Then the room erupted into chaos as everyone rushed to congratulate us. Wick was the first to reach his sister, wrapping her in a hug that lifted her off her feet.
“I'm gonna be an uncle!” he whooped, spinning her around before setting her down gingerly. “Shit, sorry. I shouldn't spin the pregnant lady.”
Olivia laughed, her eyes shining with happy tears. “It's okay, Wick. The baby's fine. We're both tough.”
Meghan and Callie descended next, peppering her with questions about due dates and nursery plans. Meanwhile, I was engulfed in a group hug with Marco and Emmett.
“Congrats, man,” Emmett said, clapping me on the back. “You're gonna be a great dad.”
“Yeah, who would've thought? Marco said. “The grumpy asshole, domesticated at last.”
I rolled my eyes. “Watch it, Rossi.”
My father approached, his eyes misty. He pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice gruff with emotion. “I'm proud of you, Son. Your mother would be over the moon.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I croaked, my voice hoarse with emotion. “That means a lot.”
As the excitement died down, I returned to Olivia's side. She was beaming, one hand resting on her belly as she chatted with Ellie and Meghan. I slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple.
“You okay, Sunny?”
She nodded, leaning into me. “More than okay. This is perfect, Carter. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
As we dug into the meal, the room filled with the buzz of conversation. I watched as my father engaged in an animated discussion with Ellie about pie recipes, while Marco regaled his end of the table with tales of his latest business venture.
Even Robert seemed to have mellowed, listening politely as Emmett explained some new development at Price Industries. It wasn't perfect—there was still a slight tremor in his hands, and his eyes occasionally darted to the bar cart—but it was better than I'd feared.
I looked around the table, taking in the faces of our makeshift family. This, I realized, was what I'd been missing all those years. This sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than myself. It was a warm cozy feeling, like being hugged from the inside.
Olivia caught my eye and gave me a questioning look. I just smiled and shook my head. Some emotions were too big to fit words around.
The meal progressed, plates being cleared and refilled, wine glasses topped up—except for Olivia's, which I'd filled with sparkling cider.
She was in her element, laughing and chatting with our friends and family. The soft glow of the candles on the table highlighted the curve of her cheek, the sparkle in her eyes. God, she’s beautiful.
As the night wore on, the party moved to the living room. Plates of pie were passed around, coffee and tea were served. I drifted between groups, catching snippets of conversation here and there.
I paused by the fireplace, where Robert stood alone, nursing a cup of coffee. He looked lost and somehow diminished.
“Everything okay, Robert?” I asked, moving to stand beside him.
He started slightly, as if he'd been lost in thought. “Oh, Carter. Yeah, I'm... I'm fine.”
I nodded, not pushing. We stood quietly together, watching the flames dance in the fireplace.
“You've got a good thing going here, you know,” he said suddenly. “Don't...don't mess it up like I did.”
I looked at him, surprised by the raw honesty in his voice. “I won't,” I promised. “Olivia and this baby, they're everything to me.”
Robert nodded, his eyes suspiciously bright. “Good. That's... that's good.” He cleared his throat, setting down his coffee cup. “I should probably head out. Tell Livvy I said goodbye, will you?”
I wanted to stop him, to tell him he should stay, that he was part of this family too. But it wasn't my place. So I just nodded, watching as he slipped out the front door without anyone else noticing.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
UNKNOWN
Now's your chance.
I looked up, scanning the room for Wick. Our eyes met, and I gave him a subtle nod. Time to put our plan into action.
“Oh uh, hey, Carter, you're out of bourbon,” Wick announced, his voice a touch too loud. “Wanna run down to the liquor store with me and grab some?”
Olivia started to get up. “There's more in the office, I can go grab—”
“No!” Wick shouted, making everyone jump. He cleared his throat, trying to dial it back. “That's, uh, not the one I like. Carter knows which one. He can point it out. Let's go, buddy.”
I fought to keep my face neutral. “Yeah, sure, be right back everyone.”
As we headed for the door, I felt Olivia's curious gaze on my back. My stomach lurched with guilt, but I pushed it down. This was for her own good. At least, that's what I kept telling myself.
I climbed into my SUV, Wick sliding into the passenger seat beside me. The silence between us was heavy as I pulled out of the driveway and onto the street.
“You sure about this?” he asked.
I nodded grimly. “It's time to end this. For Olivia's sake.”
We drove across town. It was late evening on Thanksgiving, so the streets were almost deserted. My mind whirred with thoughts of Olivia, of our baby growing inside her. She deserved peace, a clean break from her past. And I was going to make sure she got it.
We pulled up to a modest colonial home, its windows dark save for a faint glow from what I assumed was the living room. I cut the engine, taking a deep breath before stepping out of the car.
Our footsteps echoed in the still night air as we approached the front porch. I raised my hand and knocked firmly on the door. It swung open, revealing Ethan. His eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of us standing on his parents' porch.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he sputtered, his gaze darting between Wick and me.
“Olivia's done with you, Ethan. It's over. You can sign the divorce papers right now, or I will make your life a living hell.”
Ethan's eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat?”
“It's a promise. I've got resources you can't even imagine. I'll bury you in legal fees. I'll make sure every potential employer in the state knows what kind of man you are. You'll never work in Ohio again.”
Ethan’s throat bobbed, his bravado faltering. “You can't do that.”
“Try me.”
Wick stepped forward, pulling a folder from his jacket. “The papers are right here, Ethan. All you have to do is sign.”
Ethan's eyes flicked to the folder, then back to me. “What's the catch?”
“No catch,” I said. “You get everything. The house, the car, all of it. Olivia doesn't want or need anything from you.”
As I said the words, I thought about how Olivia had never slept another night in their house after she left the hospital. How, piece by piece, all her belongings had found their way to my place. The last boxes—filled with Christmas decorations—had been moved over just before Thanksgiving.
Ethan hesitated, his hand hovering over the folder. “Why would she give up everything?”
“Because she's got something better now,” Wick said, his voice hard. “A real family. People who love her.”
Ethan flinched, his shoulders sagging. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
“Fine,” he muttered. “Where do I sign?”
Wick opened the folder, pointing out the marked lines. Ethan's hand shook as he scrawled his signature on each page.
When the last page was signed a weight lifted from my shoulders. It was done. Olivia was free.
Ethan’s eyes met mine as he handed the folder back to Wick. “Tell her... tell her I'm sorry. For everything.”
I nodded curtly. Then we turned without another word and walked out of the house, leaving Ethan standing alone in the doorway.
After we climbed back into my SUV, Wick let out a low whistle. “That went better than I expected.”
I nodded, starting the engine. “Let's get back. I've got a feeling Olivia's going to have some questions for us.”