Chapter 125
Chapter 125
OLIVIA’S POV
I walked into the room carefully, balancing the tray in my hands so the cups wouldn’t rattle too loudly. The moment I stepped in, I noticed the bed was empty. Adrian wasn’t lying down anymore. Instead, he stood by the window, arms crossed, his gaze fixed outside like he was a statue lost in thought.
I placed the tray gently on the small table beside the bed. The clink of the cups against the ceramic tray must’ve snapped him back to reality because he turned around abruptly, his eyes meeting mine.
“You just left the room without saying anything,” he said, walking toward me slowly, his voice lower than usual.
“Well, I figured you might need a little time to yourself… and I also went to make some tea,” I replied, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s my special lemon and honey recipe. It really helps during times like… this.”
He gave a small snicker, the corner of his lips curling just slightly. That was good–I hadn’t seen even a hint of a smile from him since morning.
To my surprise, he didn’t hesitate. He walked over to the tray and reached for one of the cups, then the jar of honey. I watched curiously as he poured hot water over the tea bag, stirred it with a small spoon, and added a splash of milk. followed by a dollop of honey.
After a quick stir, he brought the cup to his lips, taking a cautious sip.
“This isn’t that bad,” he admitted, almost sounding surprised. “I’ve never had my tea with honey before.”
I raised a brow. “Wait…so this is the same honey I left in the drawer over four months ago?”
He looked at the jar and shrugged. “Yeah. Not really a fan of honey, so I never touched it. I guess I just left it there.”
I let out a soft chuckle as I picked up my own cup. “Well, looks like it finally came in handy.”
He nodded, sipping again, and for a moment there was silence between us. Comfortable, but filled with unspoken questions.
His breathing seemed more even now. He looked more grounded. I figured this might be the right time to gently probe, to ask about what happened this morning. His scream had shaken me to my core, and the tears… I still couldn’t get over that.
“Earlier, when you jumped out of bed shouting,” I began cautiously, “I’m guessing it was a nightmare?”
He let out a long breath, eyes dropping to the table. Then he set his cup down and leaned back into the chair.
“Yes,” he replied simply, his voice low and flat.
“What was it about?” I asked softly.
“My mom,” he said.
I blinked. That, I wasn’t expecting.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I pressed, careful not to sound pushy.
He paused for a moment, then shook his head. “No… I’ve got a lot to do this morning.”
Just like that, he stood up, grabbed his towel, and walked toward the bathroom. Before disappearing behind the door, he turned to look at me briefly.
“Thanks for the tea,” he said. “I feel better.”
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ས࿐12%.
Chapter 125
Then the door closed behind him, and I was left alone with my thoughts.
I picked up my cup again and took a slow sip, the warmth calming my nerves. At least he said thank you. That was something, right?
With him in the bathroom, I figured now was as good a time as any. I walked over to the wardrobe, quietly opened it, and started finishing up the packing of my things.
+15
As I gently folded the small dresses I had bought placing each one carefully into the luggage, my hands began to slow down, almost coming to a halt. I stood still, fingers lingering on the soft fabric of a pale yellow dress. A flood of thoughts came crashing in, heavy and relentless.
I was finally about to leave. I was so close to getting the freedom I had longed for–no more walking on eggshells, no more pretending to be okay when I wasn’t. This was supposed to be the moment I felt liberated, but instead of joy, there was a strange tightness in my chest. A deep sense of unease.
Why wasn’t I happy?
It didn’t make sense. I had played this scenario in my head so many times, and every time it ended with me smiling as I walked away, never looking back. But now that the moment was almost near, all I felt was… conflicted.
I paused and turned, sitting on the edge of the open wardrobe, letting my eyes drift across the half–packed bag. Everything between Adrian and me had started to feel normal lately. That word felt almost dangerous. Normal. Because it hadn’t always been that way.
In the past, I couldn’t even sit next to Adrian without feeling tense. After he raised his hand on me, something inside me broke–something I never quite recovered. I had mastered the art of pretending to be unbothered around him, to keep up a strong front, but deep down, I was constantly watching his mood, cautious not to say or do the wrong thing. I’d bite my tongue during arguments, walk away before they escalated, and sleep with one eye open when things got too quiet.
But lately… lately he hadn’t been that same version of himself.
He hadn’t snapped at me in days. He hadn’t insulted me, ignored me, or treated me like some unwanted burden. If anything, he seemed calmer. Almost… thoughtful. I caught myself feeling more at ease around him, my guard lowering even without realizing it.
And that, more than anything, scared me.
Because deep down, no matter how much I try to deny it, part of me still feels something. It’s not love–not after everything. But it’s something. A connection forged by time, pain, and now, this child growing inside me.
I placed a hand on my belly and sighed.
This baby… this baby changes everything. As much as I hate how it happened–how Adrian forced this reality on me–he’s still the father. That truth clings to me, no matter how far I want to run. And now I’m packing my things, preparing to leave the city and possibly never come back.
What does that mean for this child?
Will I be the one to deny him the chance to ever know his biological father? Would I become the very person I once resented–someone who kept the truth from their child? I know what it feels like to grow up not knowing where you came from. I remember how shattered I felt when I learned the truth about my own parents. It haunted me.
Could I really do that to my baby?
But the alternative is just as complicated. Do I tell Adrian? What if he doesn’t care? What if he denies the pregnancy or worse -tries to take control? He’s unpredictable, and no matter how soft he’s been lately, I can’t forget the past.
Still… what if he surprises me? What if he actually wants to be a part of this child’s life? Can I handle that? Can I share this baby with someone I don’t trust?
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Chapter 193
If I told him and he accepted the child, it could mean staying here–scrapping my plans to leave for Mexico. That future I’ve been building in my head, of peace and excape, would vanish in an instant. I’d be tethered to him forever.
I leaned forward, resting my head in my hands as another heavy sigh escaped my lips.
This is going to be a problem–one I can’t run from.
