Chapter 27

Breathless from the dance, Olivia Sinclair felt electric energy coursing through her veins. Liam Blackwood guided her away from the pulsating dance floor, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. The genuine smile lighting up Olivia's face revealed glimpses of her former vibrant self reawakening.

Turning to Liam, Olivia gestured subtly, suggesting he should attend to Evelyn since she might be growing restless. Liam studied her with an intense, lingering gaze. "Wait here," he commanded, his voice velvet-wrapped steel.

Olivia nodded obediently, her eyes tracking his broad shoulders as he disappeared into the sea of guests. She accepted a crystal flute of champagne from a passing server, an unexpected pang of loneliness striking her as she watched him vanish into the crowd.

This unexpected moment at Liam's side felt surreal, especially after their marriage had erected such impenetrable walls between them.

Would her younger self have been crushed by disappointment had she known how this union would erode her confidence?

A light touch on her forearm shattered Olivia's reverie.

"Good evening, I'm Dominic Pierce," a charming gentleman introduced himself with impeccable manners. There was something vaguely familiar about him. "I've collaborated with Mr. Blackwood before, but this is our first encounter. Might I have this dance?"

Dominic extended his hand in clear invitation.

Olivia's eyes widened in surprise at another man's request to dance. A flicker of concern about Liam's reaction crossed her mind. But since this gentleman appeared to be one of Liam's associates, she reasoned it would be acceptable.

The infectious rhythm of the music called to her, and she'd observed numerous partner changes throughout the evening. With a small nod, Olivia placed her delicate hand in Dominic's waiting palm.

Across the grand ballroom, Evelyn Hartley advanced toward Liam with predatory grace. "You're humiliating me publicly again," she purred. "How do you intend to compensate me this time?"

"Name your price," Liam responded dismissively, as though financial solutions could mend emotional wounds.

"Why did you come?" he questioned sharply.

Evelyn's flawless features tightened momentarily before she snapped, "Weren't you the one who demanded my presence tonight? Imagine my surprise finding you waltzing with that silent doll! You even personally escorted her for hairstyling and dress selection while ignoring me!"

Without regard for spectators, Evelyn entwined herself around Liam's arm and steered him toward the dance floor. Suddenly, she gasped theatrically, covering her ruby lips. "Good heavens! Is that mute creature dancing with another man?"

Liam's expression darkened like gathering storm clouds as he witnessed Dominic guiding Olivia across the marble floor with refined elegance, her face radiant with rare happiness. Though maintaining respectable distance, Dominic's hands remained perfectly proper, showing no inappropriate intentions.

After a tense moment, Liam stalked toward them with lethal purpose. Watching his abrupt departure, Evelyn's manicured nails dug into her palms, her beautiful face twisting with fury.

She hissed under her breath, "Dominic, you spineless coward! Too frightened of Liam's fists to even touch Olivia properly!"

As the music crescendoed, Olivia moved with increasing abandon, her smile widening. This fleeting joy felt foreign after years of isolation. Without warning, an iron grip seized her wrist, wrenching her from Dominic's hold. She stumbled against a rock-hard chest.

Looking up, Olivia found herself staring into Liam's smoldering eyes, her pulse stuttering wildly.

"My apologies, Mr. Blackwood," Dominic stammered, bowing slightly with nervous deference. "I assumed the lady wished to dance. I meant no offense."

Olivia's breath caught as she glimpsed Evelyn's triumphant smirk from the periphery. A chilling realization dawned - had this entire encounter been orchestrated?

"Didn't I explicitly tell you to stay put?" Liam growled, crushing Olivia against him. His whisper carried venomous fury. "Couldn't you control yourself for five minutes? Is this your first social event?"

"Perhaps the poor mute grew overstimulated by all these people," Evelyn cooed nearby, her mocking tone dripping false sympathy. "After being locked away so long, she's forgotten how to behave."

Liam dismissed Dominic with a glare, and the man hastily melted into the crowd.

"Don't leave my sight again." Liam's command left no room for defiance. Olivia's smile died instantly. She was Liam's wife, yet confined to their gilded cage with no purpose. Why couldn't she simply exist as herself? Was her voicelessness truly such a crime?

Liam dragged Olivia to a secluded alcove where no one dared approach. Yet within moments, he became surrounded by sycophants, with Evelyn positioned at his side like his rightful partner.

Olivia observed them blankly, again questioning why Liam refused to end their farce of a marriage.

"Jealous, darling?" Evelyn's saccharine voice sliced through Olivia's thoughts.

The blonde had materialized beside her, holding two glasses of blood-red wine. With a feline smile, she offered one to Olivia.

Though Olivia accepted automatically, she didn't drink. Evelyn seemed unbothered as she sipped her wine. "You must realize," she murmured, "that while you wear his ring, you'll never hold his heart." Her smile turned knife-sharp. "He only reclaimed you because another man's hands on you wounded his pride."

Had Natalie been present, she would have reminded Evelyn that Liam had chosen to bring Olivia tonight. But Natalie wasn't here, and since Evelyn didn't understand sign language, Olivia saw no point in responding.

Suddenly, Evelyn leaned in alarmingly close. Before Olivia could react, the blonde had seized her wine-holding hand.

Olivia instinctively stepped back, but Evelyn yanked sharply, sending dark wine cascading over Evelyn's pristine white gown.

"Oh!" Evelyn shrieked dramatically, recoiling as if struck. The spreading stain resembled blood. "I only came to greet you, and this is how you respond!"

Her shrill accusation sliced through the ballroom's buzz, instantly drawing every eye in their direction.