Chapter 127
Chapter 127
OLIVIA’S POV
Her eyes widened just slightly at my words, a flicker of something unreadable flashing across her face, but she didn’t interrupt me. She remained quiet, and patient, allowing me the space to speak.
“I know what you think of him,” I began, trying to steady my voice. “And honestly, I’ve probably painted the worst image of him. Everything I’ve told you only confirms that he’s not a good man. I won’t pretend he was perfect–or even decent—but regardless of what’s happened between us, he’s still the father of this baby. And I think… I think he deserves to know before I disappear from his life forever.”
Her response was immediate.
“No,” she said flatly, her voice growing more serious, sharper than before. The warmth that had been in her eyes when I walked in was quickly replaced with concern and a hint of anger.
“But…” I tried to explain further, but she raised her hand to stop me.
“Think about what you’re saying, Olivia,” she said, sitting down beside me on the couch. “What good could possibly come out of that? What are you hoping to gain from telling him now?”
I clenched my hands together in my lap, unsure of how to explain it in a way she would understand. “This child deserves to know where he came from. I’m not saying I want to be with Adrian or try to fix things between us. I just… I need to tell him. It’s the right thing to do.”
My mom’s expression softened, but only slightly. “You’re forgetting who you’re talking about. The same man you want to tell about this baby is the one who raised his hand on you. More than once. Do you think Julian or your father would ever support this decision?”
“I’m not asking for their support,” I said quietly. “I’m not even sure I expect yours. But something in me is telling me he’s not the same person anymore.”
My mother raised an eyebrow. “And what makes you think that, Olivia?”
I looked away for a second before answering. “He’s different. I don’t know how to explain it. He doesn’t treat me like I annoy him anymore. He listens more. He’s been… calm.”
“You can’t mistake politeness or guilt for change, mi amor,” she said firmly. “Sometimes people put on masks when they feel the ground beneath them slipping. You of all people should know that.”
I sighed, turning my gaze toward the window. The sky outside was a soft gray, “Why can’t you see it from my point of view?” I asked softly. “I know what he did was wrong. I’m not excusing any of it. But this isn’t about me or him–it’s about the baby. Even if Adrian turns out to be the same cold man he was before, at least I’ll know I told him. At least I’ll know I tried.”
She shook her head slowly. “Olivia, introducing this child into his life could be dangerous, What if he becomes an abusive father, too? What if history repeats itself?”
I looked her straight in the eye. “I won’t let that happen. This child will never be left alone, not unless I’m certain he’s safe. But he has a right to know, and I have a right to tell him. That’s all I want–for now.”
There was a long pause. My mom opened her mouth, about to protest again, but then stopped. Her eyes softened just a little as she reached out and held my hand.
“I still don’t agree with this,” she said quietly. “But I can see you’ve already made up your mind. So if this is truly what you believe is right, then do it. I just hope it doesn’t come back to hurt you.”
I gave her a small nod, gratitude welling up in my chest. I knew this wasn’t the answer she wanted to give me–but she gave it either
way.
“When do you plan on telling him?” she asked.
“As soon as Julian and I take care of a small problem, maybe? By the way, where is he?” I replied
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Chapter 127
My eyes scanned the room curiously, but there was no sign of him.
“He’s in the basement,” she replied, a touch of concern in her voice. “He’s been down there since this morning. I still don’t know what exactly he does down there, or what he’s keeping locked up, but I’ve decided to respect his privacy. Whatever it is, I just hope it’s not illegal,”
I let out a small chuckle. “Trust me, it’s anything but illegal.”
She looked at me, raising a brow. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
I pushed myself up from the chair. “I’m gonna go check on him.”
She sighed, tossing a pillow beside her. “You two are going to leave me up here alone again? I’m getting really bored, you know.”
I smiled softly at her playful whine. “Watch some TV, Mom. There are a lot of shows I’m sure you’d enjoy. Maybe some Spanish drama
Without waiting for her response, I turned and walked out of the living room. The silence of the hallway was almost eerie, a stark contrast to the conversation I just left behind. As I descended the stairs, the air seemed to shift, growing heavier with each step. Something about the basement always gave off that strange, tense feeling.
When I reached the bottom, I found Julian standing silently in front of Emma’s room. He was staring through the glass wall, completely lost in thought. I
didn’t need to ask what was on his mind–the weight on his shoulders was practically visible.
“You okay?” I asked gently, stepping beside him.
“Yeah,” he said after a pause, his voice low. “Been waiting for you since morning. What kept you?”
“I got here a while ago, but I had to talk to Mom first–had something important to tell her,” I replied.
He turned slightly toward me, curious. “What was it?”
I hesitated for a second, then took a breath. “I’ve decided to tell Adrian about the baby.”
Julian didn’t react the way I thought he would. No flaring nostrils, no pacing, no loud protests. He simply turned his eyes back toward the glass, his expression unreadable.
“I’m not surprised,” he said calmly. “I knew you’d eventually tell him.”
His response caught me off guard. I raised both my eyebrows, staring at him.
“You’re not going to try to talk me out of it?” I asked, trying to read his face. “I know how much you dislike Adrian.”
Julian shrugged. “What’s the point in telling you to stop when I know you won’t listen anyway? You’re going to do what feels right to you, Liv. If that means telling Adrian, then go ahead.”
– blinked, a little stunned. “Oh. Okay… That was easier than I thought it’d be.”
He finally looked at me, the corners of his mouth tugging into a faint smile. “Don’t get used to it.”
I let out a soft laugh, then turned my attention back to Emma’s room.
“Right now, let’s focus on making her talk,” Julian said, his voice turning more serious. “I just hope she doesn’t give us as hard of a time as those two.”
I crossed my arms, watching the stillness of the girl on the other side of the glass. “From the looks of it, I think she’s going to be the hardest one yet. Ringleaders always are. They know how to stay quiet when it matters most.”
He nodded in agreement, both of us falling into a quiet understanding.
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