Chapter 14
She wasn't agreeing with her adoptive mother's wishes to please her; Olivia was trying to protect the fragile peace of mind she had left.
Once the wedding was behind her, she would finally have the freedom to live life on her terms. Until then, she had to endure this psychological torment. Olivia vowed to herself that this would be the last time she would be manipulated like a marionette by her controlling parents.
The following day, she had a lunch appointment with her future husband's parents.
It was a welcome relief that Mr. and Mrs. Hilton couldn't attend at the last minute. An urgent issue had arisen with one of their auction houses, requiring immediate attention as millions were at stake.
The Hilton family was known for their diverse business ventures like car dealerships, retail stores, real estate agencies. but their auction houses were the crown jewel. It was no wonder that Mrs. Hilton, who was obsessively focused on wedding planning, was compelled to leave for an overseas trip.
The drive to Bradford Estate was serene, perhaps because she didn't have to contend with her adoptive mother's watchful eye, dictating her what to do, what to wear, and how to behave according to her rigid standards of appropriateness.
Olivia collected herself when the Bradford Estate came to view. The colossal gates opened, allowing her entry. She felt a little nervous as she parked her car and walked toward the massive doors.
When she entered the house, the housekeeper greeted her with a polite smile. “Welcome, Miss Olivia. Mrs. Bradford is waiting in the dining room.”
She nodded and followed the housekeeper down a long hallway.
The dining room was bright and spacious. Large windows allowed sunlight to stream in, highlighting the elegant table set for lunch. Fresh peonies adorned the center, and a mouthwatering aroma drifted in the air.
Lily stood up to embrace Olivia, which made the latter feel at ease. “Thank you for accepting my invitation, dear.”
Mr. Bradford entered the room and gave Olivia a warm smile. He gestured to one of the chairs. “Please sit down. My wife has prepared a lovely meal for us.”
Soon, they were all seated around the table.
Olivia took a moment to admire the dishes before her: fresh salad, lobster, sophisticated pasta dishes, grilled chicken, and a rich chocolate cake for dessert.
She had never felt this special before. This was a magnificent contrast to how she was treated at the Hilton Mansion.
“It’s a shame my son couldn't join us today,” Lily said as they began to eat.
Olivia cleared her throat. She rarely saw Clayton these days; his schedule was packed with training and commitments. However, she understood why he was so busy. His promotion was coming soon, and it was a big deal.
“It can’t be helped,” she let out a thoughtful sigh. “Clayton is working so hard for his future. I understand that because of this, he can’t be around as much.”
“So, tell us about yourself, Olivia,” Mr. Bradford changed the topic to brighten the mood. “We’d like to know your hobbies.”
“I enjoy painting, Sir,” Olivia admitted, feeling that she could share everything with the couple without fearing judgment.
He raised his brows. “Clayton hasn't mentioned it to us.”
“I don't think he knows.”
“Well, I would love to see some of your work one day.”
While they finished their lunch, Lily opened up about a painting a friend had given her. “It's from a very famous artist,” she explained.
“However, my friend wasn't sure about the authenticity. Though she has a certificate, apparently, the seller of the painting was involved in a counterfeit scandal that caused their boutique to close down recently. My friend is worried that her beautiful gift might not be original after all.”
Olivia was no art forensic expert, but she had learned a few things over the years. “Can I see the painting, if you don’t mind? I know a little about paintings. Maybe I can help you figure it out.”
Lily’s eyes lit up with hope. “It’s in the gallery. I'll show you later after we're done with dessert!”
After they finished eating, Mr. Bradford excused himself and retreated to his office while Lily pulled Olivia to the gallery.
Olivia's jaw dropped the moment she walked in. The place was a paradise. It felt as if she had walked into a different dimension.
The walls were lined with beautiful paintings she could only wish to see in her dreams, for they were rare and incredibly expensive.
"This is amazing!” Olivia whispered, trying to catch her breath.
There were landscapes, portraits of elegant women in Avant-garde attire, and abstract pieces full of color and emotion.
"I’m glad you like it! My husband and I have been collecting these pieces for years.” Lily beamed, “Do you have a favorite?”
Olivia moved closer to one painting that depicted a woman with ebony black hair lying down on a wooden canoe which was floating in the middle of an azure lagoon. "It’s hard to choose, but I really love how this one makes me feel. It's so serene."
"That’s one of my favorites too,” Lily revealed.
Olivia finally turned her attention back to the matter at hand. "Now, about the painting you mentioned earlier, where is it?"
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 blue and one green eye, and her eyes clouded in an instant. Without a doubt or hesitation, she spoke, “I can guarantee that this one is authentic.”
“Really?” came Lily's astounded voice, her expression bewildered.
“Take a closer look at the signature. It's nearly impossible to replicate the stroke. Even someone highly skilled would struggle to duplicate it,” Olivia gestured toward the rich, brown shading that defined the hair.
“This particular color is incredibly difficult to match.
Then there's the texture of the brushwork—it has a depth—it's something that simply can't be imitated.”
“How did you know that?”
Olivia smiled fondly. “I’ve been lucky enough to be acquainted with the artist.”
What Olivia had not revealed to Lily was that the artist was not merely a passing acquaintance but a very close friend.
Olivia was in her last year of medical school when she enrolled in a prestigious art school without her parents knowing. It was only a two-year course. That’s when she met Sylvia. They found common ground as adopted children and quickly formed a sister-like bond.
After graduation. Sylvia went back to her hometown which is in another country while Olivia returned to her normal life, holding onto the hope that their paths would cross again one day.
“I’m truly relieved to hear the good news. Thank you for helping me, dear.” Lily spoke which brought Olivia's thoughts back to the present.
“The pleasure is all mine. Seeing your collection is truly a rare opportunity.”
Lily animatedly told Olivia about the friend who gifted her the painting as they made their way back to the dining room.
“We met at a party and instantly became friends. Perhaps because we both have the condition called heterochromia.”
“Actually, her eyes are the same shade as yours. One blue and one green. If I hadn't known she had found her daughter, I would assume you are the one she's been looking for.”
Olivia hadn't heard Lily's last words clearly because her thoughts were preoccupied with Sylvia.
Upon reaching the dining room, they found Mr. Bradford helping himself to a glass of water. He smiled when they entered. “How was your tour? I hope you enjoyed the gallery.”
“It was incredible,” Olivia smiled.
It was already dark when Olivia finally made it home. But she felt fulfilled. She enjoyed the hours she spent with Clayton parents. They were kind and amazing.
The house was quiet when she entered. But it was a different type of quiet. It was serene. Calming. Peaceful. And that entire week, without Mr. and Mrs. Hilton, Olivia truly felt she had a life.
—
Olivia's life resumed to normal after her parents returned from their business trip.
Each morning, she woke up early for work. At the hospital, every day was different, yet somehow the same. She performed operations, moved from patient to patient to check their charts, and talked to them to offer words of comfort or reassurance.
After her shifts, she would sit next to Mrs. Hilton at home. The two of them will spend hours discussing the details of the wedding, which was fast approaching.
Olivia went through the same motions every day: wake up, work, wedding planning, sleep, and repeat.
Sometimes when she had trouble sleeping at night because she felt a little lost in the chaos, she would tell herself, “It won’t be long until you’re married, and then things will change.”
But what if they didn’t?
With that looming question, she would fall asleep, and the cycle begins once again.
—
Finally after what felt like a year of preparation, everything was set for the wedding.
The invitations had already been sent out to friends, family, and acquaintances, and now the countdown had truly begun.
Olivia stared at her stunning wedding dress, which was spread delicately on her queen-size bed. It was by far the most exquisite pristine white gown she had ever seen.
The gowns she had seen in magazines couldn't even compare to it. She wasn't surprised by how good it looked, considering her mother had spent a sizable amount on it.
She picked up her wedding dress.
Somehow, the dress reminded her of the gown Princess Diana wore at her wedding. How enchanting it had been, how it had captured everyone’s attention on that magical day, and how it had made millions dream of fairytale weddings.
Princess Diana had loved Charles so much. But it was not a simple love story with a happy ending. Charles had loved someone else. Camilla.
The irony wasn’t lost on Olivia. She too, was about to marry the man she adored with all her heart. But just like Charles, Clayton's heart had belonged to another woman.
Finally, Olivia let go of the dress as if the fabric burned her fingers.
In four days she would walk down the aisle. Four days before she would say "I do" to a man who might never fully give her his heart.