Chapter Fifty-Four
Olivia
I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. It’s another SoCal morning—bright and sunny. I listen to the clock tick.
I don’t know why this new day doesn’t feel any different.
I finally got rid of the disgusting trio, but…
there’s still a strange sense of emptiness.
Mom and Pochi finally got the justice they deserve.
But my life… It hasn’t really changed. I still need to run Luminary & Co.
I have a baby growing in my belly. Time passes, just like it always has.
The heavens didn’t open up and bathe me in golden light.
Neither Mom nor Pochi has been magically resurrected.
But at the same time, I’d do it again without hesitation.
I roll over and hug a pillow. If Liam were here, would he understand? If he were here, holding me in his arms, would I feel less hollow?
The next day is the same. If anything, the void in my heart only grows bigger.
I reach for my phone to occupy myself with something, then stop.
The social media algo keeps pushing videos of Tyler attacking me at Ted’s party on my feed.
I lived through it once, and I don’t want to revisit the experience.
I sigh and rest my hand on my chest. The achievement of my life’s goal has brought about a pang of panic:
Now what?
I’ve never given much thought to what I’d do once justice was served. My eyes drift to the pavé ring Liam gave me. I’m only thirty—I’ve got almost a whole life ahead of me. And a baby, too.
Family.
Images of Liam pop into my head like a kind of montage.
Holding out the gardenias. Crooning into my ear as we danced on the terrace after we became husband and wife.
Swimming and showing me dolphins jumping from the ocean.
Giving me the most beautiful birthday celebration.
Stroking the tie I gave him with a smile like it was the greatest treasure he owned.
Every moment was special because it was with Liam.
I want him back. But I don’t know how to get him. Still, I waited twenty years to bring down my enemies. I could figure out a way. Be patient. Methodical. Relentless. Liam wouldn’t know what hit him.
But he isn’t the enemy, Olivia. He’s your husband. You can’t manipulate him with secrets like you did Hugh and his family. That simply isn’t fair.
Then how am I supposed to strategize and win him?
I wait a few beats, but nothing comes to mind.
Okay. The goal is clear, so maybe I should start working toward it and adjust my plans as needed. Just like I did with Hugh.
The most basic first step is: text Frederich. It takes half an hour before he responds.
–Frederich: Liam was with Silas, then moved in with Finn, but is now with Rhys. He can’t seem to settle.
–Me: Where does Rhys live?
–Frederich: I’m not at liberty to disclose that. But Liam needs time, I think. He isn’t adjusting well to living alone.
Frustration eats at me, even though I sympathize with Frederich’s reticence.
Part of me wants to take the easy way and lie.
If I claim that the baby isn’t doing well…
Or that I’m having complications, Liam might come.
But then what? Lies never work out in the end.
I don’t want him to feel betrayed and unappreciated any more than he already does.
It’s obvious the brothers are on Team Liam—as they should be—so I message Max and ask for an appointment.
–Max: An appointment?! We’re family, girl. How about lunch today?
–Me: Thanks. My treat.
I take her to the Italian restaurant Simon found. If Liam’s going to get a report from Max, I want to show him this place isn’t that special—having lunch with Simon here meant nothing.
Max is in a conservatively cut green dress that brings out her eyes. Her baby bump shows a tiny bit, but the loose fold of the bodice hides it pretty well. She glances around. “This is pretty.”
“Yeah, something a former coworker discovered.” I avoid mentioning Simon beyond that, in case she knows about his role in the marital disaster. Max is most definitely on Team Liam.
We order the lunch special.
“How are you?” Her eyes roam my face.
I manage a smile. “Doing okay. The morning sickness is finally gone. You?”
“I still get nauseous sometimes, but it’s mostly fine now. Rhys—” She stops.
“Go ahead.”
She flushes. “Rhys has been rubbing my back and bringing me hot tea to help settle my stomach.” She clears her throat. “Sorry, I wasn’t planning to talk about that.”
I smile, trying to ignore the wistful certainty that I could’ve had the same with Liam. “It’s fine. Don’t hold back because I was stupid enough to ruin a good thing.”
Our server brings out our chicken and sun-dried tomato pasta, then disappears to serve other patrons. I lick my dry lips, moving the spaghetti listlessly on the plate. “How’s Liam doing, if you can share?” Can you tell him to come to me? That I miss him terribly?
“He’s, um… I think he’s okay.” She shrugs and takes a bite. “Just a little tired. He isn’t sleeping well. But…” She shrugs again.
“Is he still smiling?” I ask, torn. I want him to be happy, but I also don’t want him to be, not if I’m not around. It probably makes me selfish, but I want him to be unhappy without me. I want him to have a reason to want to get back together.
She nods. “Yes.”
I sigh. “I was such a fool. The entire time we were together, he was always smiling. He was like the sun, just endlessly warm and giving. And I thought it meant he was fine. But I should’ve known better. We all learn to smile through our pain.”
“I don’t think he knows how to cry even when he’s bleeding,” Max says quietly.
And yet I made him cry. When he asked me what he meant to me on that fateful Friday after hearing me call him a pawn, I saw his eyes glisten with tears even though they didn’t fall.
I can’t help it. I cover my face and let out a small moan.
Max puts a hand on my wrist. “I think he still loves you, Olivia. But he’s…” Max sighs. “He just wants you to love him even a fraction as much as he loves you.”
“Did he tell you that?” My voice cracks.
“He didn’t have to.” She shakes her head. “He thinks he’s slick with that easy grin, but I can tell. You mean so much to him. Rhys said he’s never seen him like this before. Apparently, he’s been in love with you since college?”
I give a shaky laugh. “When we first met, he couldn’t even say hello. I mean, I was really nervous too, even though I acted cool. He was just so…perfect, you know?”
Max smiles. “You’re crazy about him.”
I nod, trying to keep it together.
Her grin broadens. “I don’t know exactly what the problem is, but I’m sure you guys can resolve things. I have faith. Besides, he hasn’t been totally immune to you.” She leans closer. “I’m sure I’m not supposed to tell you, but… He sent oranges to the hospital. For you.”
“He did…?” Tears sting my eyes.
“Yep.” She lowers her voice. “And he went to Dr. Silverman’s office. I overheard Silas talking about it. Liam apparently stood outside the door and listened to the baby’s heartbeat.”
I blink fast to avoid crying, but I can’t stop sniffling. All this time, I thought maybe he wouldn’t want me. But he’s been silently watching over me like a guardian angel.
“He even sent Rhys’s security guy to your mom’s house to help you kick your dad out. He’s terrified of anything happening to you.”
My chin trembles, and I cover my face. The depth of his love… “How can he love me like this?” I lower my hand and look at her. “I don’t think I deserve it.”
Max suddenly looks fierce. “Yes, you do! You absofuckinglutely deserve it because he chose to love you.”
And I let him walk away in pain because I was too chickenshit. I was so worried about Brielle and circumstances conspiring to hurt Liam that I forgot I could do him just as much damage. “What have I done?” I whisper, trembling.
“Hey. Hey!” Max grabs my wrist. “Forget about whatever you did. Fight for him. But only if you know, deep in your heart, that that’s what you want.”
“I do.” I nod, then press my lips together. “I have to see him.” There must be something I haven’t thought of… “Do you think Rhys would mind if I parked my car outside your place until Liam comes out? I don’t want to stalk him at work and cause any, you know, professional embarrassment—”
“Oh my God, don’t do that! You should be resting.
Growing a baby is hard work.” Max taps her chin, thinking.
“This might turn out to be nothing, but there was a bachelor auction a couple of months ago—not sure if you heard about it. One of Elizabeth Pryce-King’s charity things?
Anyway, somebody won a date with Liam, but I don’t know what happened afterward.
But if she hasn’t claimed that date, you might be able to buy the woman out.
” Max gives me a meaningful look…then winks.
I jump out of my chair and hug her. “You’re a genius!”
She laughs and hugs me back. “Good luck. And if you decide to hold a reception or something, you owe me an invitation. Clear?”