Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Olivia couldn’t help but think, ‘Can you not make this so awkward?‘ The corner of her mouth twitched. Hiding her hand under her dress, she secretly pinched his thigh and scribbled: [Knock it off.]
Julian continued: [Can’t we just stay together?]
Olivia replied: [I’ve made myself perfectly clear–I’m going to focus on my family.J
Julian added: [But your husband doesn’t seem interested in that. I saw the three of you walk in together he ever brought his mistress along.1
Olivia responded: [You just don’t get us hopeless romantics. Whether he has a mistress or not won’t stop me from loving him. If needed, I can even love his mistress too.]
Her last sentence left Julian completely speechless. After a long pause, he continued: [Liar. You’re not a hopeless romantic at all.]
Olivia: [I am!]
Julian: [I trust my own judgment.]
The two of them were having a silent but intense exchange when Dylan suddenly turned to Olivia and asked, “What’s up with you? Did a caterpillar crawl on you or something? You keep squirming. And why is your face so red?”
Olivia did her best to ignore the itch on her leg and seized the opportunity to make an excuse. “I’m not feeling well. I’ll go upstairs and rest for a bit. Just call me when the party starts.”
With that, she stood up, gave the elders an apologetic bow, and hurried upstairs. She slipped into Dylan’s room and paced back and forth, her mind a complete mess.
She’d thought that after her conversation with Julian, they would never cross paths again. Yet here he was–appearing at Dylan’s grandfather’s birthday
party.
From how Herbert treated him, it was obvious Julian was no ordinary guy. She’d gotten herself tangled up with someone she really shouldn’t have.
Anyone who could get into such a prestigious event was surely not a male escort. She’d had it all wrong from the very start.
Just then, there was some noise at the door.
Assuming it was Dylan, Olivia didn’t pay much attention–just took a moment to compose herself.
But when the door opened, it wasn’t Dylan who walked in. It was Julian.
Before Olivia could react, Julian shut the door and locked it behind him.
Olivia instantly panicked. “What are you doing in my room? If someone sees us, there’s no way we’ll be able to clear our name!” As she spoke, she strode over, grabbed the doorknob, and tried to open the door.
But Julian caught her wrist, yanked her around, and pinned her against the door. Then he said, “Clear our name? Don’t kid yourself. You and I–whatever
this is–it’s real.
“Every inch of me knows you, just like every part of you knows me. And now you want to pretend none of it ever happened? Don’t you think it’s a little too late for that?”
Towering over her, he moved closer to her, his strong arms firmly braced on either side of her. His intense, dangerous aura felt as if it could crush her soul.
Although the room–designed as a three bedroom, one–living room suite–was spacious, with him there, it felt so cramped and oppressive that even the air seemed squeezed out.
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Chapter 46
Olivia felt like she couldn’t breathe. Her chest heaved, and her heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to burst out of her chest.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Then she replied, “I admit it–I came on to you first. I mistakenly thought you were an escort so f offered to keep you. That was my mistake.
“But you’re not an escort, and instead of explaining yourself, you went along with it. That’s your fault. We’re both at fault. Let’s just call it even, okay! Please, just leave me alone…”
“You’ve already stolen my heart. So tell me, how are we supposed to call it even?” Julian said, his voice low and intense. “Give me your heart–that’s the only way.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. She glared up at him. “You’re being impossible. I thought you were a decent guy. Turns out that was all an act!”
Julian replied without a hint of shame, “My wife’s about to run off. Why should I bother pretending to be a gentleman?”
Olivia gritted her teeth. “Cut it out! I’m not your wife.”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “You’re not now, but you will be. Honey, don’t even think about pushing me away.”
Olivia shot back, “I already have a husband.”
Julian replied, “I checked with your husband’s grandfather. He’s fine with his granddaughter–in–law marrying me.”
Olivia looked at him, confused. “When did he say that? Don’t you dare try to mess with my memory.”
Julian responded with a faint smile. “I just told him that if I happened to fall for someone at this party, I hoped he wouldn’t be mad. He said as long as ! was okay with it, he had no objections.
“Oh, and your husband’s on board, too. He said as long as I like someone, he’ll support me, no matter who it is. That includes you, of course.”
Olivia was speechless. There was no way Dylan or his grandfather knew Julian was talking about her. If they had, they definitely wouldn’t have agreed. Julian was setting them up–and they had walked right into the trap.
Julian leaned down and kissed her on the lips, his voice low and attractive. “Honey, find a time to divorce that jerk, okay?”
Olivia turned her face away. “Don’t call me that, and stay away from me.”
Julian shot back, “Your husband’s mistress and I are both homewreckers. She gets to be that intimate with your husband. Why can’t I be close to you?”
Olivia didn’t respond.
“Honey, when are you going to get a divorce? Give me an answer, okay?” Julian pressed, not letting the matter drop.
Olivia still didn’t answer.
Julian continued, “If you’re not going to do it, I’ll just go to Herbert and your husband and ask them to let you be with me…”
Olivia panicked and quickly stopped him. She said anxiously, “Don’t do anything crazy. I–I just need time to think. How about we take a break? Once I’m divorced, I’ll reach out to you.”
In truth, she wasn’t entirely opposed to being with Julian, but she was terrified he’d find out she was pregnant and ruin her whole plan.
Even if Julian had a high status–maybe even came from a political family–he still wouldn’t be able to help her pay off her grandfather’s debts. Families like his rarely had that kind of money.
Olivia’s only leverage was the child. Through it, she could claim the Wilson family’s inheritance.
Morgan owed her grandmother, so Olivia felt completely justified in taking the money. Once she got the inheritance, she could start a normal relationship with Julian. But until then, she couldn’t.
Chapter 46
Julian shot down her suggestion without hesitation. “I can’t wait that long. I want to see you every single day. I missed you so, so much while we were apart…” And then he showed her just how much he missed her–with a kiss.
While Olivia was left breathless from the kiss, Dylan’s voice suddenly came from outside. “Olivia, why did you lock the door? Come out. The birthday party is about to start. Don’t be late.”
Olivia dug her nails into Julian’s arm, her eyes wide and misty with tears, looking at him pleadingly.
“What are you doing in there? Open the door!” Dylan’s voice grew impatient, and he started kicking at the door.
Julian finally let go of her lips. A soft whimper slipped out of Olivia, and she quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.
“Olivia, what the hell are you doing? If you don’t open up, I’m getting someone to break down the door!” Dylan shouted.
Olivia pinched her arm hard to keep herself from screaming before saying, “I was just napping. You go ahead–I’ll be right down.”
Dylan sounded suspicious. “Why does your voice sound so weird? Did something happen?”
Tears shimmered in Olivia’s eyes as she said in a trembling voice, “I had a nightmare, and it scared me so much I cried. Let me calm down for a minute. I’ll be right there.”
Dylan scoffed, “Seriously? You’re a grown–up–still crying over a nightmare? Pull yourself together and get downstairs.” His voice faded into the distance.
Olivia finally let out a sigh of relief and lifted her hand, ready to smack Julian on the head.
But before she could, Julian stepped back. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Then he said happy, “I don’t believe what you say.
“I trust the way you respond. The body doesn’t lie–it always gives the truest response. And yours is telling me you like me.”
Olivia’s face turned bright red. She shoved him away, straightened her dress, and hurried into the bathroom to touch up her makeup before stepping
out.
Just before leaving the room, she warned, “Be careful. After I’m gone, wait a little while before you head out–don’t let anyone see you.”
She was running out of time and couldn’t waste it scolding him, so she hurried downstairs to the birthday party.
The event itself was simple: offer blessings, eat, sing the birthday song, blow out candles, and cut the cake.
After blowing out the candles, Herbert handed the knife to Olivia with a smile. “Ollie, help me cut the cake, will you? This cake is so soft, and these old hands of mine aren’t steady. I might just mess it up. You do it.”
Olivia took the knife and stepped up to the cake. She’d just eaten, and the rich, sweet smell of cream made her stomach turn. A wave of nausea washed over her. She quickly turned away, covering her mouth as she gagged.
Everyone turned to look at her.
“Ollie, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Herbert asked, clearly concerned.
An elderly man with gray hair in the crowd said, “That looks a bit like morning sickness… But I can’t be sure just by looking. Let me feel her pulse.”
Everyone stared at Olivia in shock.
Julian and Dylan’s gazes were sharp and piercing. They rushed over at the same time, each grabbing one of Olivia’s wrists, and demanded in unison, “You’re pregnant?!”
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