Chapter 93 Olivia

Chapter 93 Olivia
OLIVIA'S POV

My chest was constricting as disjointed pieces of memory clawed their way to the surface. They had been locked in so long, barricaded behind the fog of confusion and terror, but the dams were breaking. My hands clamped down on the edge of the couch, eyes darting from my parents to Kellan and back again. Their eyes were all pinned in on me with concern, but it was Brian's question haunting me.

How did you disappear? What happened that day two years ago.

"I remember Sharon," I began, my voice shaking. "Her men kidnapped after that charity event and locked me up. Then she came and talked to me… about Kellan."

Kellan stiffened beside me, his fingers clamping down on mine. I dared a glance at him, saw the fire in his eyes, but he said nothing.

"She told me…., " I stammered, my voice lodging in my throat. "She told me I was ruining his life. That Kellan didn't love me and never would." Finally, the tear in my voice gave out and I felt the stinging of that first swipe of tears to my eyes. "I didn't believe her, but she was so… angry. She wouldn't let me leave."

My mom let out a gasp and clamped her hand over her mouth. "Oh, Olivia…

I made myself go on. "She had some men with her. They grabbed me. I fought, but they were too strong. They pulled me into a car." I was breathing harder now and Kellan's hand didn't slacken its grip.

"What did you then do?" Brian asked, in a calm voice that nonetheless was firm.

That threw her into the next remembered moment, like the clarity of a fresh laceration: "We drove for hours. Sharon was there the whole time, taunting me. She said I didn't deserve Kellan. That I was nothing but an obstacle in her way.

I froze, my heart racing. Then the next part of that memory hit me like a freight train. "She stopped the car near a cliff. It was… isolated. No one around. That's when she told me I wouldn't be a problem anymore."

There was a gasp, it seemed, that sucked the room in. My dad's face went white; my mom let out a little sob. Kellan, though, was silent, his jaw clenched so tight that I could see the muscle twitch.

“She pushed me," I whispered, my face sopping wet from tears falling down my cheeks. "I don't remember hitting the water, but I must have. I woke up much later-hours, maybe days-and everything was so unclear. I didn't remember my own name."

Dead silence filled the room from my shaky breaths that were the only thing being heard. Kellan shifted slightly beside me.

“That bitch,” he growled low and deadly.

“Kellan,” I said softly, reaching out to touch his arm, but he was already up, fists balled at his sides.

“She tried to kill you,” he spat, pacing the room, much like a caged animal. “And for two years she walks around like nothing happened? Like she hadn't stolen you from me?”

"Kellan, please," I begged low, my hoarse voice cracking. "I don't think I can do this if you're going to lose control."

Suddenly he wheeled and faced me; the lines of his features softened, a bit-the eyes still blazed but: "I'm so sorry, Liv," he said once more, flinging himself upon his knees and seizing both hands in his. "Truly, I just can't seem to turn my head. She is going to pay for what happened to you. I promise.”

My parents exchanged a glance, and Mom leaned forward and laid a hand on my shoulder. "Olivia, are you sure about all of this? You're sure your memories are clear enough to take to the police?"

"They are clear enough," I replied. The confidence in that, even surprised me. "I know what she did, what she intended. I recall the fear, the hatred in her eyes. She wished me dead."

Kellan got up, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Then it's time to make sure she answers it."

It felt so unreal, you know-the kind of thing you only get to see in some police movie, I swear. Kellan told them all with this cool precision that gave nothing away of the interior storms. I would have heard the disbelieving tones, if loud enough, on the line when Kellan informed them I, Olivia Easton, a woman who had been presumed missing for two years, was very alive.

“We have proof of her kidnapping and attempted murder," Kellan said cool, authoritatively. "You'll have my full cooperation, but I expect immediate action."

When he hung up, he turned to me, his face hard. "They'll start investigating right away, but I'm not waiting for them to catch Sharon. I'm going to handle this myself."

"What do you mean?" I asked, dread pooling in my stomach.

He didn't say a word for several seconds, only dialed another number. Mom and Dad and Brian hadn't said a word yet either, but from the faces they were pulling, the green around the gills was well and truly coming on.

"Sharon," he said the second the line connected, and again the voice had deepened to this smooth, almost seductive tone that really crawled right under my skin.

I stood up straight, my spine taut, but my heart going on a marathon run. What was he doing?

"Kellan?" Sharon's voice came sugary sweet over the phone's speakers. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you.

"I've been doing some pretty heavy thinking," he began pacing in measured strides about the room. "About us."

I gazed on with horror as he didn't give me even a passing look.

"Us?" she repeated, full of disbelief.

"You were right," Kellan went on, and even to my own ears the contrition sounded artificial. "About Olivia. She's been holding me back, and I was too blind to see it. I made a mistake, Sharon. I should have chosen you."
My blood ran cold, and a wave of nausea washed over me.

Sharon laughed light, almost triumphant. "Well, it's about time you realized that, Kellan. I have always been the one for you."

"I want to see you," he said smoothly. "Let's talk. Face to face."

There was a beat of silence, and I almost heard her weighing up options. "When?

"Tonight," Kellan said with so much ease. "I need to see you tonight."

"Of course," she purred. "Text me the details."

He lay down, shoving the phone back into his pocket.

"What in the world was that?" I asked, standing.

Kellan turned to me, features hard but resolute. "She thinks I'm coming back to her. That'll make her careless. It's the perfect time to make her pay."

I shook my head, my heart clawing its way up my chest. "You can't just walk into this alone, Kellan. She's dangerous. You don't know what she's capable of."

"I know exactly what she's capable of," he said, cold. "But she doesn't know what I'm capable of. This ends tonight, Olivia."

I stared at him, my mind racing with fear and trepidation. "You can't do this," I whispered. "You can't risk your life like this."

He leaned into me, his palms framing my face. "I have to, Liv. She tried to take you from me. I'm not letting her get away with it.”

The only chance of getting my argument out had been before he kissed me. Laced into every movement-a desperation and resolve to some preparations of battle.

As he drew away, a shiver ran over my spine.
Because inside I knew this wasn't gonna end without blood being spilled somewhere along the line.