Chapter 93

"Mr. Blackwood, isn't this crossing professional boundaries?" Natalie stepped protectively in front of Olivia, confronting Liam directly.

Olivia's pulse quickened, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

"What do you think you're doing?" Liam's voice cut through the air like a whip as he glared at Natalie. "Step aside!"

His hand shot out toward Olivia's bag, fingers grasping for her medical records.

The moment Liam touched the documents, Natalie raised her voice dramatically. "Why are you so obsessed with my private gynecological reports? Have you completely lost your senses, Liam?"

Liam froze mid-motion. Natalie seized the opportunity to widen the distance between him and Olivia.

This time, Liam didn't pursue them.

"What did you just say?" His dark brows drew together as he fixed Natalie with an intense stare.

"I said those are my medical files in Olivia's bag." Natalie enunciated each word clearly, drawing curious glances from nearby hospital staff. "I've been having irregular cycles, so I asked Olivia to accompany me to my OB-GYN appointment!"

She squared her shoulders defiantly. "What's your sudden interest in my reproductive health, Mr. Blackwood? Developing an unhealthy obsession with me? Should I read my pelvic exam results aloud for you?"

Natalie's audacious claim effectively shut down any further questioning.

Behind her protective stance, Olivia released the breath she'd been holding.

"I assumed Olivia was ill." Liam's expression remained unreadable, though his voice carried an edge.

"Can't I ask my best friend for support when I'm unwell?" Natalie countered sharply.

"She can't even speak. What kind of support is that?" Evelyn's mocking voice carried across the hallway.

Olivia's shoulders hunched instinctively under Evelyn's barb. Then, remembering the life growing inside her, she straightened and met Evelyn's gaze head-on.

With deliberate movements, Olivia began signing her response.

While Evelyn looked bewildered, Liam's frown deepened as he deciphered Olivia's gestures.

Natalie translated aloud. "Olivia may have lost her voice, but she was your wife first."

She couldn't resist adding, "If you're so special, why are you still just the mistress, looking so pleased with your second-rate position?"

"You—!" Evelyn's face flushed crimson, her chest heaving as she shot Liam an imploring glance.

But Liam's attention remained fixed on Olivia, his dark gaze burning with unreadable intensity.

"Let's go," Natalie muttered, pulling Olivia away before Liam could notice anything suspicious about her friend's condition.

Miraculously, Liam didn't follow.

Even as they walked away, Olivia could feel the weight of his stare. Only when safely inside Natalie's car did she realize her blouse clung to her back with cold sweat.

Deceiving Liam and standing up to him were things Olivia never imagined herself capable of. Yet here she was, doing both repeatedly. Though fear still gripped her physically, the emotional chains had loosened.

Why should she continue obeying Liam's every whim?

"You alright?" Natalie's concerned voice pulled Olivia from her thoughts.

Olivia nodded silently.

"About that divorce you mentioned..." Natalie hesitated. "Any progress? Need help finding a lawyer? Is he still demanding that ridiculous sum?"

Olivia confirmed she'd gathered the twenty million and raised the divorce again, but Liam continued stalling.

"That bastard!" Natalie's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Why's he stringing you along? He's practically glued to Evelyn's side but won't let you move on?"

A bitter smile touched Olivia's lips as she signed that this was typical Liam behavior.

"True." Natalie sighed. "He's been cheating since your wedding day. Why expect anything different now?"

"I've got an idea!" Natalie suddenly grabbed Olivia's arm, eyes lighting up.

Olivia tilted her head in question.

"You need to shake him up properly. I read about this woman whose abusive husband refused to grant a divorce," Natalie explained excitedly.

Olivia listened intently, assuming Natalie had conceived some brilliant legal strategy.

"The woman? She poured boiling water on her husband while he slept. Scared him so badly he signed the papers immediately, terrified she might actually kill him next time!"

Olivia's eyes widened in horror.

But Natalie looked thrilled. "Isn't it perfect? Imagine standing over Liam's bed with a knife! If you frighten him enough, he'll sign anything! Men like him value their lives above all else."

Olivia shook her head vehemently.

"Why not?" Natalie pressed. "Don't tell me you still have feelings for him?"

Olivia signed that such extreme measures weren't in her nature. Besides, she added, Liam would probably have her committed if she tried anything like that.

"Fair point..." Natalie conceded reluctantly. "Liam isn't like other men..."

"But!" Natalie turned the key in the ignition. "What if he discovers the pregnancy? Olivia, have you thought about what you'll do then?"

Olivia shook her head. She hadn't formulated a plan yet, only hoping that day would never come.

For now, she needed Natalie's help with something else. She gestured urgently, asking for a favor.