Chapter 33 33
Tears stung her eyes—but before they could fall—
“Blair?”
A hand shook her shoulder.
She blinked, violently returning to reality as her co-worker tugged her back into the noise and brightness of the event.
“Miss Blair—move! Olivia is coming out now!”
The crowd gasped.
Olivia stepped onto the stage in a pearl-encrusted gown.
The sight hit Blair like a slap.
Because all at once, she was eight again…
standing in her mother’s old, cramped living room…
watching her mom decorate the table, set the cake, wrap the gifts—
always for Olivia’s birthday.
Never for hers.
Even then, Olivia had sparkled.
Even then, Blair had stood in the background—
unseen.
Forgotten.
And now she was forgotten again…
by the same man who once whispered to her that she was “the one.”
Her fingers tightened around the tray.
Lucas dropped to one knee, the spotlight catching on his suit.
He lifted the small velvet box, eyes locked on Olivia.
“Olivia…” he began, breath trembling in a way only someone in love — or trying desperately to convince himself he is — could sound. “You’ve been by my side for years. Loyal. Graceful. Constant.”
A murmur moved through the crowd. Phones lifted. Cameras clicked.
Lucas swallowed, pushing through the tightness in his chest.
“You’re everything anyone could ask for. And today… in front of the world… I want to ask you to share forever with me.”
His free hand pressed to his heart, voice warming.
“Can you be mine, Olivia? Can you let me be the man who gives you the world?”
The room erupted — gasps, cheers, applause, champagne glasses clinking.
Blair blinked slowly, her tray trembling in her hand.
Her coworkers jolted her gently.
“Miss Blair… keep moving.”
She inhaled sharply, coming back to reality just in time to see Olivia step forward, her pearl dress.
Lucas held up the ring, his voice breaking just a little.
“Say yes,” he whispered.
The crowd leaned in closer.
Olivia covered her mouth, pretending to be overwhelmed, tears gathering in her eyes as she waited for the right dramatic moment before answering.
As Lucas stayed on one knee, waiting for Olivia’s answer, Blair felt her heart split cleanly in two.
… just tell me.
“Yes… Lucas, yes! I love you!” she said, stepping forward as he stood.
The crowd burst into soft cheers — Awww, beautiful, finally — voices melting into one warm wave.
Olivia wrapped her arms around him and he hugged her back, lifting her slightly as flashes from cameras brightened around them.
The applause was still fading when Lucas helped Olivia down from the stage, his hand steady on her waist.
Cameras flashed everywhere. Guests sighed and whispered as the perfect couple walked forward.
Granny waddled toward them with her usual dramatic flair.
“Oh, I wish you two would hurry and give me grandbabies already,” she said loudly, cupping Lucas’ cheeks. “One boy that looks exactly like my Lucas.”
The crowd laughed. Lucas smiled politely, but something in his eyes flickered.
While the congratulations continued, Olivia scanned the room. Then—almost too perfectly timed—she let out a soft gasp and staggered.
“Lucas!” she cried.
A waiter passing behind her “accidentally” brushed her shoulder.
Olivia clutched her ankle like she had twisted it. It was clearly rehearsed. Lucas caught her before she hit the floor, his arm instinctively sliding around her back.
“Oh my God—Olivia, are you okay?” someone from the crowd shouted.
Olivia leaned into him dramatically, her voice weak. “I… I think I need to lie down. Lucas, please.”
He sighed and nodded, already stepping into protective mode. “Let me take you upstairs.”
Lucas pushed the door open with his foot, carrying her inside.
He laid her gently on the edge of his massive bed.
“You should’ve been careful,” he murmured, loosening his tie with that stressed, weary look.
She sat up slightly, her voice low.
“Why does it feel like you’re far away from me tonight?”
She reached for his tie. “Lucas… we’re engaged now.”
He froze.
“Olivia, this isn’t the time—”
She slid her hands around his neck, her body inching closer, eyes half-lidded.
Her fingers trailed down his chest.
“Come on, Lucas…” she whispered, leaning in.
“This is what couples do. Don’t you want to… celebrate with me?”
She tried to pull him onto the bed, lips parting, breath warm against his jaw.
Lucas swallowed, nerves twisting.
“Olivia, you need to rest. Tonight’s been a lot. I should go back down—”
She suddenly winced, grabbing her leg dramatically.
“Lucas… wait—ah! It hurts.”
He immediately leaned closer.
“What hurts? Let me see—”
Her hand slid up his chest slowly.
“It’s… everything. Just… stay with me. Please.”
His breath stopped — confusion mixing with something he didn’t want to name.
And right then, mercifully, his phone rang in his pocket.
A sharp, insistent vibration.
He closed his eyes, exhaling, trying to pull himself out of whatever trap he felt himself slipping into.
“I— I need to get this,” he muttered, stepping back as her smile faltered.
Olivia stared at him, blinking, her frustration barely contained.
But Lucas had already turned away, pulling out his phone .
Lucas stepped out of the room, rubbing a hand over his face as his phone vibrated sharply in his palm.
He answered immediately.
“Sir,” the voice on the other end said,low and urgent, “the woman from five years ago — we think she might be around the—”
Lucas’s heartbeat stumbled.
His body stilled.
Every sound from the party faded behind him.
“Repeat that,” he whispered, stepping deeper into the hallway, jaw tightening.
“Where?”
“We traced movement close to the venue area. It could be her, sir. We’re still confirming but—”
He pressed a hand to the wall, gripping it like it’s the only thing keeping him steady.
Then—
tap.
A gentle touch landed on his shoulder.
Lucas turned sharply, eyes wide, pulse thundering, expecting danger—
His phone is still against his ear.
The voice on the line keeps talking.
“Sir? Sir, can you hear me?”
But Lucas couldn’t respond.