Chapter 151

Olivia finally slept through the night, her first proper rest in weeks. As dawn broke, she stirred in the plush bedding, her hand instinctively moving to cradle her belly where tiny flutters reminded her of the life growing inside. For a blissful moment, she thought she might still be dreaming.

She needed to find Isabella. But as her bare feet touched the carpet, muffled voices drifted through the door.

Isabella was speaking urgently into her phone. "Mr. Hayes, I assure you Olivia's perfectly safe. Has Liam made any moves? He's disturbingly persistent - tracking her down so quickly. No, I won't mention anything to her. Surely even Liam wouldn't cross that line!"

The call ended just as Olivia appeared in the doorway, her face drained of color.

Isabella's breath hitched. She shoved the phone into her pocket, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"

Olivia shook her head violently, pointing at the concealed phone. Her trembling hands conveyed everything - she'd heard enough.

Her fingers flew in frantic gestures. Did Liam know she'd fled to Alexander? Had her actions endangered them? What had he done?

Seeing Olivia's panic, Isabella rushed forward. "Breathe, just breathe. Yes, Liam knows you're gone. But it's not what you think. He's just exchanging words with Mr. Hayes - no real action yet. We've compiled evidence of everything the Blackwoods did to you, including that forced termination. Even if Liam refuses divorce, we can take it to court. If he dares retaliate, the media will crucify him."

Tears pricked Olivia's eyes at their loyalty, but sorrow twisted her heart. She never wanted this war with Liam. Their marriage had been doomed from the start - she'd been the obstacle keeping him from Evelyn all these years. If he despised her now, she couldn't blame him.

Hesitating, she gestured that before legal battles, she wanted to speak with Liam one last time.

Isabella threw up her hands. "After everything, you still believe he'll change?"

Olivia shook her head, pressing both hands to her abdomen. She wouldn't let her child grow up knowing its parents' hatred. That pain was too cruel.

Isabella's lips trembled as she regarded Olivia with heartbreaking understanding.

Meanwhile, Liam hurled his phone across the study. His chiseled features were marble-cold, fury radiating from every taut muscle.

Sebastian watched silently, knowing this storm was far from over. "Mr. Blackwood, the Hayes family has clearly overreached, but they're likely acting on Olivia's wishes. Perhaps if you spoke with her-"

Liam raked a hand through his hair, stalking to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The cigarette between his fingers trembled slightly as he lit it.

Leaning against his mahogany desk, tendons standing out along his forearms, he ground out, "If she chose to leave, why should I beg for explanations? I gave her everything. She threw it all away."

A bitter laugh escaped him. "Did you see how the Hayes looked at me? Like I was some monster. Olivia's made her feelings perfectly clear."

Sebastian sighed inwardly.

Liam exhaled a cloud of smoke. "No more negotiations with the Hayes family. Where she goes, what she does - it's none of my concern."

A sharp knock interrupted them.

Liam flicked his gaze toward Sebastian, who opened the door to reveal Olivia's physician, his face drawn with urgency.

"Mr. Blackwood isn't receiving visitors," Sebastian began smoothly.

The doctor shook his head. "This can't wait. It's about his wife."

Sebastian signaled to the guards flanking the doorway. Their imposing stances left no room for argument.

The doctor raised his voice. "Mr. Blackwood! Your wife is pregnant!"

Sebastian's polite mask slipped. "You understand the consequences if this is false?"

The doctor swallowed hard. "I attempted to contact Mr. Blackwood days ago. This is no mistake - I'd stake my career on it."

"Sebastian." Liam's voice cut through like a blade. "Let him in."

As the doctor entered, Sebastian's unease grew. This should be joyous news. So why did it feel like standing on the edge of a precipice?

Liam sat motionless, his glacial stare pinning the doctor. "Explain."

"Mrs. Blackwood is approximately five weeks along. Given her medical history - particularly the previous termination - this is a high-risk pregnancy. She requires immediate specialized care, especially during the first trimester when complications are most likely."

The shattering of Liam's crystal tumbler against the wall was his only response.

With a violent sweep of his arm, Liam cleared his desk in one furious motion. Glass and wood splintered against the far wall as his roar of rage echoed through the penthouse.