Chapter 165

Olivia's auburn locks were artfully arranged in an intricate updo, accentuating her delicate features with refined grace. The transformation made her catch her breath.

Staring at her reflection, Olivia felt a strange disconnect. It had been years since she'd seen herself look so... alive.

The sight transported her back to her early days with the Blackwood family. When Henry was still alive, they'd treated her with distant courtesy. Her relationship with Liam hadn't yet curdled into bitterness.

Margaret Winslow had always made her disapproval clear. The matriarch would pointedly exclude Olivia from society events, as if her presence brought shame to the Blackwood name.

Yet Liam would sweep in like a knight, dressing her in couture and presenting her proudly as Henry's ward at every gala. His defiance both thrilled and terrified her.

Margaret's silent fury would later manifest in icy glares and veiled insults over tea. Olivia learned to weather these storms with quiet dignity.

Those bittersweet memories tugged at Olivia's heart. The happiness felt so close yet impossibly distant - like trying to grasp smoke.

"Must you take forever admiring yourself?" Liam's sharp tone shattered her reverie.

He stood in the doorway, his piercing gaze tracking her every movement. Something unreadable flickered in his storm-gray eyes before vanishing.

After a thorough inspection, Liam delivered his verdict with characteristic bluntness. "The dress is tolerable. Though your accessory choices remain questionable."

Olivia signed a question about whether Evelyn would approve of the ensemble.

"That's irrelevant," Liam countered, his lips twisting in that familiar smirk. "Change back now."

As she turned toward the dressing room, Liam suddenly swayed on his feet.

His phone chose that moment to ring. Evelyn's name flashed on the screen.

"Liam darling," came the saccharine voice through the speaker. "Where are you? We need to discuss something important."

He pressed fingers to his temple, fighting the migraine threatening to split his skull. "Get to the point."

A petulant sigh. "My birthday's coming up. I don't want some stuffy party this year. Just an intimate gathering at Blackwood Manor?"

Liam's laugh held no warmth. "Planning to redecorate as mistress of the house already?"

Undeterred, Evelyn pressed on. "I just want you there. Unless you'd rather not celebrate with me?"

The prolonged silence made her breath hitch.

Finally, Liam relented. "Tell Sebastian what you need. Just spare me the details."

Evelyn's triumphant smile practically traveled through the phone. Hosting at the manor would force Margaret and Catherine to attend - a tacit acknowledgment of her future position.

She dismissed Olivia's pregnancy as inconsequential. Many things could happen before that bastard drew breath.

Olivia emerged just in time to catch Liam's arrangements. The conversation flowed freely, as if her presence meant nothing.

Her chest constricted painfully. She had no right to object to their plans. Not anymore.

Memories surfaced of birthdays past - quiet celebrations with Henry and Liam before her world fractured. Margaret had barely tolerated her presence even then.

Now Evelyn would occupy that privileged space.

Liam's migraine had reduced his patience to tatters. Spotting Olivia, he snapped, "Eavesdropping again?"

Her hands flew in denial, promising to make herself scarce that day.

His laugh was cruel. "You misunderstand. Your attendance isn't optional."

Ice flooded Olivia's veins. Was this deliberate cruelty? Her signing grew sharp. What if she refused?

If they wanted their perfect celebration, they shouldn't force her participation.

Liam moved with predatory grace, seizing her wrist. "Remember your place. You're here for Alexander's sake. A bargaining chip has no rights."

The bitterness nearly choked her. This cold stranger bore no resemblance to the Liam she once knew.

His grip tightened unconsciously until she winced. Only then did he release her, turning away to hide his ashen face.

"Leave. Unless you want to test how thoroughly I can confine you."

Olivia had barely taken three steps when a crash echoed behind her. Gasps filled the air.

Her blood turned to ice.

Spinning around, she found Liam collapsed on the marble floor, his complexion deathly pale.

In that terrifying moment, Olivia saw past their animosity. She sprinted for Sebastian.

The ever-efficient assistant mobilized immediately, whisking Liam to Mercy Hospital with military precision.

Olivia intercepted Sebastian before he could leave. Her signing was urgent - what wasn't he telling her?

"Just exhaustion and stress," came the practiced reply. "Acute gastritis from skipping meals. He'll recover with rest."

But Olivia knew Liam's limits. She'd seen him work seventy-two hour stretches without collapsing like this. Something was terribly wrong.

The truth hovered just beyond reach, more frightening than any of their confrontations. Whatever plagued Liam went far deeper than overwork.

And Olivia feared she might be the only one who cared enough to uncover it.