"Yes, but I screwed up, and now I have the feeling that she married my uncle just to get back at me." Olivia, who had been fidgeting uncomfortably at the table, was now like a hyena, her eyes narrowing as she hungrily scanned the conversation around her. She savored every moment spent at the table, feeling her tense muscles relax with each passing minute. But her engaging conversation with Finn was abruptly cut short when Old Mr. Knight stood to his feet and announced that they were leaving. The room suddenly grew quiet as everyone scrambled to finish their drinks and gather their belongings, a sense of finality hanging in the air. Olivia's excitement and enjoyment quickly turned into disappointment and longing for more time at the table with Finn.
As soon as the old man and Finn had left, Olivia couldn't contain her excitement, and a grin spread across her face. With a newfound power over Cathleen, she savored the moment and took a sip of the delicious mimosa cocktail that Cathleen had expertly crafted for breakfast. The bubbles tickled her nose, and the tangy taste danced on her tongue. She eagerly tried to catch Cathleen's eye, but when she couldn't, she finally spoke up, unable to contain herself any longer.
"You're quite a good actress, Mrs. Knight. I mean, no one would have thought that before you were married to your husband, you would have been busy having sex with his nephew. You sure are something else."
Cathleen's eyes flicked towards Olivia before she continued to meticulously clean the table. The rag in her hand moved with swift, practiced movements as she wiped away every speck of dirt and grime. But Olivia couldn't let it go. She prodded gently, hoping for a reaction from the usually explosive Cathleen. A small furrow appeared between Cathleen's eyebrows as she finally paused in her cleaning to meet Olivia's gaze.
The tension in the air was palpable as they both held their breath, waiting for the inevitable outburst. But it never came. Instead, Cathleen's expression softened, and she simply shook her head before returning to her task. A sense of relief washed over Olivia at the unexpected calmness in Cathleen's response; however, she wanted to see Cathleen on her knees, humiliated, so she pressed, "Who is better, the uncle or the nephew?" she asked.
With a sharp flick of her wrist, Cathleen threw down the tablecloth, the fabric billowing and landing in a messy heap. She marched over to Olivia, stopping mere inches from her. Raising her hand in defiance, Cathleen's piercing gaze met Olivia's. The tension between them was palpable. For a moment, Olivia thought she might receive a slap in the face, but instead, Cathleen gently patted her on the head as if she were a pet. Fingers twirling through Olivia's hair, Cathleen let out a sigh before finally speaking, "It must be hard to go out with a man for years and then find out that he didn't prefer you but someone who was already sleeping with his nephew. I mean, if he had you in mind as wife material, why would he marry a girl who was already fucking his nephew?"
Olivia felt a sudden jolt as if she had been physically slapped in the face, upon hearing Cathleen's words. Emotionally, it was like a sharp sting that threatened to bring tears to her eyes. She watched with a heavy heart as Cathleen, with an air of grace and poise, ascended the steps to the top. Every step seemed to symbolize Olivia's feelings of hurt and betrayal. She couldn't help but wonder why Cathleen had chosen to inflict such pain on her. The sound of each footfall echoed in Olivia's mind, amplifying the weight of the situation at hand. The once serene setting now felt charged with tension, leaving a bitter taste in Olivia's mouth and a heavy ache in her chest.
Xavier strode back into the house, a sense of purpose in his steps as he escorted his father and young nephew to their car. As he entered the living room, he was met with a startling sight: Olivia standing in place with a pale expression on her face, her hands clasped tightly together in front of her. The sunlight streaming in through the windows illuminated her features, highlighting the worry lines etched into her forehead and the creases around her eyes. Her usually warm and vibrant aura seemed to have dimmed, leaving a feeling of unease lingering in the air. Xavier just stared at the woman in front of him; he knew something was amiss. But one thing he knew was that she might have provoked Cathleen and lost to whatever she was trying to achieve, as Cathleen is no pushover.
"Why didn't you say anything when Finn was making a pass at me?" Her voice echoed off the walls as she yelled at him. Xavier turned to look at her, his expression unreadable and continued his ascent up the winding stairs. But Olivia refused to let him go without a fight, her feet pounding against the steps as she pursued him. The air was charged with tension, and their voices filled the space like a storm brewing in the distance. Her anger fueled her determination, and she wouldn't stop until they had resolved their disagreement. "Answer me!"
"Why would I say anything? You are not my wife."Her face, once a delicate shade of pallor, contorted into a mask of shock and disbelief. It was as if she had been struck by a bucket of cold ashes, her features smeared and distorted with the weight of Xavier's words. The air around them seemed to thicken with the tension, which was heavy and suffocating. She could feel her heart racing in her chest as she struggled to process his revelation-that she was not his wife after all. It was like a knife had been driven into her gut, twisting and causing waves of agony. Her mind reeled, trying to make sense of this new reality, while her body trembled with a mixture of anger, hurt, and confusion.
Olivia's heart sank as Xavier's words pierced through her like a dagger. She had hoped that, deep down, he still held some affection for her. But his dismissive response only confirmed her worst fears-she was nothing more than a mere guest in his life. As Xavier ascended the stairs, Olivia followed close behind, her voice filled with desperation. "But we were supposed to be together, Xavier! You were mine, and I was yours!" Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision as she continued to plead with him. "Please don't leave me like this. I can change, I promise." Xavier stopped abruptly on the landing and turned to face her. His eyes bore into hers with a mix of pity and frustration. "Olivia, I never promised you heaven and earth. If you are not happy with this little arrangement of ours, you can leave." His voice remained calm but firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Tears streamed down Olivia's cheeks as her world crumbled around her.