Chapter 48

The sleek black sedan came to a smooth stop at the gated entrance of the Newport estate. Through the wrought iron gates, Olivia could see warm golden light spilling from the floor-to-ceiling windows. She stepped out quickly, her heels clicking against the cobblestone driveway as she hurried inside.

Liam sat at the grand dining table, his piercing gaze locking onto her the moment she entered.

A crystal wine glass half-filled with deep crimson liquid stood before him. The elaborate meal prepared by their private chef remained untouched on fine china. Olivia froze, suddenly transported back to countless lonely nights during their marriage when she'd waited with cooling dinners, only for Liam never to come home.

Now the roles were reversed. The irony wasn't lost on her.

"Out enjoying the nightlife?" Liam's voice cut through the silence as he noticed her hesitation.

Olivia sighed, gesturing vaguely that William had invited her to dinner and she'd assumed he knew.

"Assumed?" Liam's voice dripped with sarcasm. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. "So your assumption excused you from basic courtesy?"

When he suddenly pushed back his chair, Olivia instinctively retreated a step. The loud crash of the overturned chair made her flinch. She wasn't accustomed to this version of Liam - the one who actually came home - and it unsettled her.

"I didn't expect you to be here," she admitted quietly. "You're rarely home to notice whether I've eaten or not."

Liam's jaw tightened visibly. "Is that a complaint?"

Olivia shook her head, eyes downcast. "Just stating facts." She closed her eyes briefly, whether to compose herself or hide her emotions, she wasn't sure.

To her surprise, Liam didn't advance. Instead, he stalked to the liquor cabinet, selected an expensive bottle, and poured himself another drink in silence. Olivia hesitated, then took a tentative step forward. The words "don't drink so much" hovered on her lips, along with the impulse to fetch him some milk to soothe his stomach.

But she stopped herself. Liam didn't want her mothering. His anger stemmed from her defiance, nothing more. If playing the docile wife would keep the peace, so be it. With a quiet sigh, she turned and ascended the staircase without another word.

The next morning found Olivia not at her design studio, but at an upscale café near her home meeting Natalie. Since the bookstore fire, this had become their usual spot.

"Still on the mineral water diet, I see?" Natalie teased as she ordered an $88 bottle of imported water for Olivia. "Don't even think about complaining about the price!"

Olivia took a sip and sighed. "Tastes exactly like tap water." She swirled the glass absently. "How have you been?"

Natalie leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity. "What's this big opportunity you mentioned?"

Olivia took a deep breath and explained William's offer to become a design consultant for Whitmore Holdings.

"That's incredible!" Natalie nearly knocked over her coffee in excitement. "Why are you hesitating? This is a thousand times better than that bookstore!"

Olivia's fingers tightened around her water glass. "There's something else." She warned Natalie to keep calm before revealing the deteriorating state of her marriage and her decision to file for divorce.

"Twenty million? Is he insane?" Natalie's voice rose sharply when she heard Liam's demands. She shot to her feet, ready to storm Blackwood Enterprises that instant.

Olivia grabbed her wrist. "Please, sit down. Everyone's staring."

"How can I sit?" Natalie hissed, though she allowed herself to be pulled back into her seat. "First he cheats, now he wants alimony? The man has no shame!" Her outburst drew several curious glances from nearby patrons.

Olivia pushed the iced coffee toward her friend. "Drink. Cool down."

"That absolute bastard," Natalie muttered darkly into her glass.

Olivia traced the condensation on her own glass. "I think...he resented his grandfather forcing him to marry me. Now that I'm the one initiating divorce..."

"You're still making excuses for him?" Natalie interrupted. "He's a grown man. No one held a gun to his head. Does Blackwood Enterprises really need your twenty million? This is pure spite!"

Olivia frowned. "What would you have me do?"

Natalie exhaled sharply, finally admitting defeat. "Legally, you're screwed. Even with his infidelity, the Blackwood legal team would crush you in court." She drummed her fingers on the table. "Here's an idea - take William's offer. Get the first ten million from the contract, and I'll help raise the other ten. Your freedom is worth it, even if that bastard doesn't deserve a penny."

Olivia's eyes widened. "Natalie, the market's terrible right now. Your family can't spare that kind of money."

Before Natalie could respond, a familiar honeyed voice cut through the café's murmur. "Well, well. Fancy meeting you here. Who exactly are you calling a bastard? Surely not dear Liam?"

Olivia turned slowly to face the smirking Evelyn Hartley.