Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Meanwhile, Olivia had wrapped up her evening routine. She lay back in bed, a face mask on, finally letting herself unwind.
Looking back on the years she’d spent with Neil, she couldn’t quite put her finger on what she’d been so busy with. Always running; always trying to kee him happy. She hadn’t even had the luxury of a quiet night in, pampering herself with a face mask.
But now,
she was determined to reclaim every bit of herself she’d lost on that jerk.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a call from Grace. “Did you find a place?” Grace asked.
“Yeah, I did,” Olivia replied.
“So soon? I thought apartments around the bar were a pain to find,” Grace said, her voice tinged with surprise.
Felicity’s place was just a short walk from the bar where Olivia sang. But unlike the dingy apartment she’d seen earlier, this one was in a primo neighborhood–one of the fanciest around.
What really caught Olivia off guard was that the apartment was fully furnished. Just like Felicity had said, she could move right in. Olivia smiled, “I guess have Liam’s girlfriend to thank for this.”
“Leam? Your step–brother? Liam Kline? No way! Since when
does he have a
up
in disbelief,
Olivia got why Grace was so shocked. Liam had a rep for being moody, odd, and cold. Grace had once said, “Olivia, doesn’t Liam seem like a volcano buried under a glacier? You never know when that icy mountain’s gonna blow. Seriously, stay away from guys like that.”
Shaking off the memory, Olivia said, “Well, Liam’s twenty–eight now. Time he should settle down.”
“The lucky girl must have nerves of steel,” Grace remarked, her tone carrying a subtle edge.
Olivia gave a small, reluctant smile, feeling the need to stick up for Liam. “I think he’s actually easier to get along with now. Not so distant. Hey, Grace, I need your help.”
“Help?”
“Yeah. They got me a place to stay. I want to get them some gifts, but I’m stumped. I have no idea what to get.”
Grace didn’t miss a beat. “It’s just a thank–you gift. Don’t make it a big deal. Let me take care of it.”
“You take care of it?” Olivia asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.
“Sure! You just want to thank the two, right?” Grace shrugged. “Just something nice for them both. Easy peasy.”
“You’ve got a point.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll find something they’ll both love,” Grace said, “Send me your address. I’ll drop by tomorrow morning and bring it over.”
Olivia laughed softly, “Okay, see you tomorrow.”
She then tossed the face mark aside and was about to sink back into bed when her phone pinged. She glanced at the screen–a text from her mom Maribel (Dinner tomorrow. Liam’s coming ]
The message felt like a weight setting in her chest. She’d always been the pawn Maribel used to stay in the Kling family’s good graces. Machel never wanted her to miss these family dinners, not back then, and certainly not now.
Olivia remembered one night, years ago, when a torrential raiti anel 3 busted bus had made her thirty minutes late. Maribel hadiv’t asked if she was
stu’d just started yelling
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Those words still echoed in her mind: “Olivia! How could you be late for something so important? Your family should always come first. Do you have any idea how lucky we are to be here? Be grateful!”
Tomorrow’s dinner was a big deal. It was the first time in years that Liam would be attending a formal family event. Every Kline would probably be there. Maribel was counting on her to be there, too.
But Olivia was firm. She texted back: [I have work tomorrow night.] It was true. She sang at a bar now. The pay wasn’t great, but it was enough to keep
her afloat.
She knew that a lot of people in town were probably waiting to see her trip up after breaking up with Neil. The best thing she could do was show up to work like nothing had changed.
The rejection text had barely gone out when Maribel’s call came through.
Olivia’s eyes flicked to the caller ID. Her brow furrowed, and a wave of frustration washed over her. She already knew what was coming. But she
answered anyway. “Hey, Mom.”
“Cancel whatever you’re doing.” Maribel’s voice was firm. “You’re coming home tomorrow night.”
Olivia might look gentle, but she had a strong–willed side. She sneered, “Just because Liam’s home now, does that mean I have to drop everything and run back for every family meal?”
“So what? Your job isn’t worth holding on to! Just like your love for Neil. After all these years, you’li see how pointless it all was.”
Maribel’s words felt like a punch in the gut. Olivia’s hand trembled as she held the phone. She took a deep breath, and forced herself to stay calm.
She sneered, “Mom, you know exactly why I got rejected from the music college; why I’m accused of plagiarism; why I’m stuck singing in bars. Don’t act like you don’t.”
There was a heavy silence on the other end. They’d both been tiptoeing around that topic for years, pretending it didn’t exist. One wrong word and the
whole thing could blow up.
Olivia didn’t want to go there. She took another deep breath and softened her tone. “I’m tired. Let’s just drop it, okay?”
With that, she hung up and dropped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling,
It had been seven years ever since. Some of those who had applied to the music college with her had gone on to become famous songwriters or popular singers. But she was still far from her dreams,
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