Chapter 132 Sins of the Past
Chapter 132 Sins of the Past
Mrs. Olivia POV
"The soup is ready," I said, setting the hot ceramic bowl down on the wooden dining table with a soft clink. "It's been a while since you started shouting that you were hungry."
Robert pulled his chair in, holding his crystal glass and taking a slow sip of red wine. He smiled up at me. "I missed eating your food. And I'm sure you're happy I came home early today."
"It's not like you went on a long journey," I replied with a faint smile, sitting down across from him and passing the serving spoon to his side.
Robert scooped a portion onto his plate, the steam rising between us. "When will Daniel come back to the house? Does he really have that much to do over at Liam's?"
"You know how much he values his friendship with Liam," I said, leaning back against my chair. "With no elder around in that house, him going over to help is understandable."
Robert lowered his spoon and set it against the rim of his plate. He looked straight at me, his eyes darkening. "That Liam you mentioned... the investigator called this morning. They said they still haven't found a single trace of his mother."
My heart hammered against my ribs. A sudden, sharp gasp caught in my throat, turning into a harsh cough that tore out of my chest. I grabbed my napkin, covering my mouth as my lungs squeezed tight with terror.
Robert immediately stood up, poured cold water into a glass, and slid it into my hands. He stepped to my side, gently patting my back as I shivered.
"Take it easy," Robert said softly, his voice full of concern. "Drink a little water, Olivia. Breathe. Are you alright?"
I swallowed a small mouthful of water, forcing my hands to stop trembling against the glass. "I... I don't think Liam even wants to see his mother after all this time," I forced out, my voice tight.
Robert rubbed my shoulder before stepping back to his seat. "You know, maybe it's because Daniel is so close to him, but I've started seeing Liam like my own child."
"Why would you see him like your child?" The words snapped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
Robert stopped, his fork mid-air, and stared across the table at me with a puzzled frown.
My stomach twisted into a knot. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, taking a shallow breath to hide the panic rising in my chest. "I... I just had a bad day at work today," I murmured, rubbing my temples. "Sorry if I sound weird."
Robert's expression softened into sympathy. "You must really miss your son abroad."
A dull ache throbbed behind my breastbone. I stared down at my untouched plate, my throat tightening so hard I couldn't speak. My fingers gripped the edge of the tablecloth till my knuckles turned white, holding back the urge to cry right in front of him.
"Why can't you just tell him to come over here?" Robert asked gently. "At least you would get to see him more often instead of worrying like this."
"I am tired..." I began, resting my hand against my head.
The heavy front door clicked open down the hall, followed by the sound of shoes dragging across the floor.
"I am back," Daniel announced, stepping into the dining room. His uniform blazer hung over his arm, his collar unbuttoned, and his eyes looked heavy and exhausted.
I pushed my chair back, looking up at him in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to sleep well. We'll talk later," Daniel said, not even looking at his father. He turned on his heel and walked straight toward the stairs, his footsteps fading up the corridor.
"Wait a minute," Robert said, his voice firming up as he started to rise. "Is that any way to address us after staying out for days?"
Daniel didn't answer. He turned on his heel and walked straight toward the stairs.
Robert let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "What is wrong with him lately?"
"I'll go check on him later," I murmured softly, using the moment to escape the dining table.
………..
An hour later, after Robert went into his study, I stood alone in the quiet kitchen.
My hands trembled as I scooped tea leaves into a ceramic mug. Robert's voice kept echoing in my head. They still haven't found a single trace of his mother.
I gripped the edge of the marble counter, closing my eyes tight. I had spent years keeping this secret buried, making sure no one ever looked too closely at my past. If Robert ever discovered the truth, I would lose everything—my marriage, my standing, and Daniel.
I wiped my face quickly, stirred two spoonfuls of sugar into the warm tea, and took a slow breath to steady my hands. I couldn't break down now.
I knocked twice and pushed the door open.
Daniel sat on the edge of his mattress, staring blankly at his shoes. The room was dark, lit only by the streetlights outside his window.
"Here," I said softly, stepping inside and setting the mug on his nightstand. "Drink this."
"Thanks, Mom," Daniel muttered, without raising his head.
I pulled his desk chair over, sitting down directly in front of him so he couldn't avoid my eyes.
"The academy called me this afternoon concerning your transfer application," I said, keeping my tone steady. "The principal said the paperwork is ready and just waiting on your final signature. Why do you suddenly want to be transferred?"
Daniel's shoulders went rigid. His hands tightened into fists over his knees, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Is this because of Elena?" I asked.
Daniel swallowed hard. He let out a harsh, bitter breath through his nose, his eyes fixed on the floorboards. "She doesn't care, Mom. No matter what I do... It's always Liam."
"Daniel..."
"I stayed over there thinking I could protect her," Daniel snapped, his voice cracking as he finally looked up at me. His eyes were bloodshot, swimming with unshed tears. "I sat right in that house watching the two of them. She looks at him like he's everything, and I'm just standing in the corner like a ghost."
I reached out, resting my hand over his trembling fingers. "You don't have to put yourself through that."
"I signed the transfer," Daniel whispered, a tear finally cutting down his cheek. He wiped it away angrily with his sleeve. "I can't stay here and watch them together anymore. I can't."
I leaned forward, pulling his head against my shoulder. I held him tight, feeling his body shake with quiet hitches as I stroked his hair in the dark room.
"It's okay," I whispered into the quiet night. "It's okay to let go."