Chapter 6
The question made Olivia the center of attention in an instant. Everyone’s eyes turned to her, and Liam’s gaze, hidden behind his glasses, seenied spark with a sudden intensity.
Olivia felt like she’d been punched in the gut. Her throat tightened, and the emotions she’d been holding back came rushing back in a wave.
But she quickly gathered herself, forcing a calm into her voice. “We broke up,” she said, her tone steady despite the turmoil inside.
The room seemed to hold its breath at her words. Liam looked away, his expression smoothing over, the storm in his eyes subsiding.
Felicity, who’d been watching everything closely, gave a soft laugh and patted Olivia’s shoulder. “If he’s not right for you, just move on.”
She paused, glancing at Liam with a hint of something deeper in her eyes. “The next one will be better,” she added, her voice carrying a subtle weig
Olivia’s lips twitched into a faint, wry smile. She’d been burned, and the thought of diving back into another relationship felt like asking for more tre
She just shook her head, her smile barely there.
After Liam and Felicity left, Maribel took Olivia by the arm and pulled her aside. “Enough of this,” she said softly but firmly. “You should go home and
things.”
Olivia paused, a flicker of realization in her eyes.
Honestly, over those seven years, Olivia and Neil had broken up more times than she could count. Each time, she’d find herself packing her suitcase a marching back to him, swallowing her pride.
She was always the one reaching out. If Neil had cared even a little, he wouldn’t have let her walk away so many times. It was so obvious, yet it had ta
her seven years to see it.
With a bitter smile, Olivia shook her head. “Mom, it’s really over this time.”
She started to turn away, but Maribel’s grip tightened on her arm. “Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone in Pisloe knows about you two! Even if you break up now, who’s going to marry you after this scandal?”
“Then I’ll just stay single,” Olivia said, her voice light but resolute.
“Olivia!” Maribel shouted.
Olivia pulled her arm free and kept walking. “Don’t worry. I’ll crash here tonight and find a place of my own tomorrow.”
Kline Manor had never felt like home. Not before, and certainly not now. She couldn’t stay any longer than she had to.
The night in Pisloe was still alive with neon lights and the hum of late–night revelry. But as Neil stumbled into his place, the silence hit him like a cold
wave.
He leaned heavily against the doorframe, calling out, “Olivia? Olivia?” His voice echoed in the empty space, but there was no answer.
Neil’s mind raced. He let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Here we go again,” he muttered. “Running away and playing the same old game.”
He stepped inside, his eyes drawn to the mess on the floor. Shredded pieces of a wedding dress lay scattered, and in the middle of it all, a ring glinted under the harsh light.
It all clicked. Neil’s heart twisted and his throat tightened.
“Neil, this is the seventh birthday I’ve spent with you. I want to give you something special this year.” Olivia’s words from days ago suddenly came flooding back.
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10:40 Sun, 22 Jun G
Chapter 7
