CHAPTER 023
OLIVIA’S POV
The morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I stretched my arms above my head, feeling the stiffness in my muscles from another restless night.
My mind had been running in circles ever since my conversation with Julian. Finally telling him everything lifted some weight off my chest, but a new heaviness had taken its place–a gnawing uncertainty.
Adrian.
I should be done with him. I want to be done with him. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something I was missing.
I sighed, rubbing my temples before sitting up in bed. That was the logical next step. But when I reached for my phone on the nightstand, I hesitated.
What if Adrian retaliates? Let’s not forget that he’s a huge investor in my parent’s company, and I wouldn’t want things to go sideways
I shook my head, frustrated with myself. I was overthinking. Maybe Julian’s paranoia was rubbing off on me.
Deciding not to dwell on it, I pushed the thoughts aside and headed to the bathroom. A quick shower helped clear my head, but the moment I stepped out, that same feeling of unease returned.
I needed to talk to Julian again.
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The smell of fresh coffee and spaghetti filled the air as I made my way to the dining room. Julian was already there, seated at the long wooden table, casually scrolling through his phone as he sipped from a steaming mug. His injured arm rested on the table, still bandaged but looking much better than yesterday.
His eyes landed on me as I walked in, and he offered a small smirk. “Good morning, I see you took your time in bed today.”
I rolled my eyes as I slid into the seat across from him. “It’s not that late.”
“A little past nine,” he pointed out.
A maid promptly set down a plate in front of me, spaghetti for breakfast, that’s new.
As I took my first bite, Juljan leaned forward slightly. “So tell me, how was your night?”
I had another nightmare again but I wanted to keep that to myself I guess he must have noticed my eyebags
“Not the best,” I replied
Julian didn’t respond right away. He just observed me, as if waiting for me to say more.
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I placed my fork down and sighed. “What’s on your mind this time?”
He tilted his head slightly. “I still can’t get what happened last week off my mind”
“Which one, your divorce with Adrian or the kidnappers? Julian asked jokingly
I gave him a serious look before replying “Both.”
Julian set his phone aside and laced his fingers together on the table. “I’ve been thinking about everything you told me. And honestly, Olivia… I don’t think this is just about a bad marriage or a controlling husband. Something isn’t right.”
I frowned. “Julian, I know Adrian isn’t a good person, but…”
“This isn’t about whether he’s a good person,” Julian cut in. “It’s about whether he’s dangerous.”
I froze for a moment, my heart skipping a beat at his words.
Julian continued, his voice steady but firm. “You said yourself that the moment you left, Adria hasn’t even tried to contact you?”
I shook my head. “No. Not once.”
Julian leaned back, exhaling. “Exactly. That doesn’t make sense.”
I clenched my hands together in my lap. “Maybe he just doesn’t care anymore. Maybe he’s relieved I left.”
“Or maybe he wanted you gone,” Julian countered. “Maybe he was waiting for you to
run.”
The weight of his words settled over me, sending a shiver down my spine.
“You don’t have any proof of that,” I said quietly.
Julian sighed, rubbing his jaw. “No, I don’t. But I don’t like coincidences, Olivia. And right now, there are too many of them. I think there’s something we’re not seeing.”
I wanted to argue, to brush off his concerns, but deep down, I knew he had a point. Something about all of this did feel off.
“We also haven’t figured out who sent those guys, who knows Adrian might be involved in this,” Julian said
“I have lived with that man for years, I know the things he can do and can’t do, he has other things to worry about trust me,” I said
Julian then picked up the tablet beside him, his’blue eyes sharp. He showed me the tablet where live video footage was playing and the building looked familiar, it looked a lot like my apartment
“It’s been more than 24 hours and no suspicious van has parked at your place,” Julian
said
“wait, you planted cameras at my new apartment? When did you have the time to do that?” I asked confused, because throughout yesterday I was with him
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“I hired guys to do it.” He said taking a sip from his coffee
A confused look appeared on my face
“Anyway that’s not the main issue, they haven’t returned here so it’s either I scared them off or they know you’re no longer staying there,” Julian said
“I think they must have figured out,” I said
“You don’t think I can scare them off?” Julian said jokingly
“I didn’t say you can’t inspector, but those guys were hired so I don’t think they would give up easily,” I said
“You think Dora might be behind the hiring?” Julian asked
And then I started to think, could it be that she wanted me kidnapped? Pushing me out of the house wasn’t enough
“Well maybe,” I said not sure
“Ok then she should be on our top list of suspects,” Julian said
I blinked, caught off guard. “Wait… you want to investigate her”
“Yes.”
I hesitated. “Julian, I appreciate you wanting to help, but this… this could be dangerous.”
He shrugged. “I can handle myself.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Says the guy with a wounded arm.”
Julian smirked. “Fair point. But that doesn’t change my mind.”
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “Julian… I don’t want you getting dragged into this. You’ve already done enough by letting me stay here.”
He shook his head. “Letting you stay here isn’t enough. Not if there’s a real threat.”
“I don’t know…” I admitted.
I swallowed hard. He was right. Things might have gotten calm since the day we caught them, but what if they come after me again when I leave, I can’t stay in Julian’s house forever
I nodded slowly, “Okay. But promise me something.”
“let me hear it.”
I met his gaze. “Promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”
A small smirk played on his lips. “You do know me, right?”
“Julian,” I warned.
His expression softened. “Alright, alright. I promise I won’t be reckless.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him, but for now, it was enough.
Julian leaned back, a determined look settling over his face. “Good. Because I have a
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feeling they’re just getting started.”
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