CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14

Olivia’s Point of View

The airport was buzzing with people dragging luggage and rushing toward gates, but inside me everything was quiet. Too quiet. My mind wasn’t here—it was still in that hospital room, tangled up in Gabriel’s lips.

I pressed my coffee cup against my mouth just to ground myself. But the warmth only reminded me of the warmth of his breath against my skin. The memory wouldn’t leave, no matter how hard I pushed it away.

"Mommy!"

My son’s cheerful voice cut through my thoughts. I turned instantly, and there he was, running toward me with his toy car clutched in one hand. My heart softened. I dropped my coffee on the table and bent to catch him in my arms.

"There’s my boy," I whispered, hugging him tight. "I missed you so much."

"Grandma’s here too!" he said proudly.

And then she appeared—my mother. Elegant as ever, even after a long flight, scarf around her shoulders and suitcase rolling behind her. She smiled and kissed my cheek before patting her grandson’s head.

"Thank you for coming to meet me, Olivia. Traveling wears me out these days," she said, lowering herself into the seat beside me.

"Of course, Mom. I wouldn’t let you arrive alone," I replied warmly.

She sighed and rested her hands in her lap. "How are you, darling? You look tired."

I let out a soft laugh. "Work has been heavy, that’s all. But I’ll be fine."

She nodded, then her tone softened with concern. "And Gabriel? I heard he had an accident."

My heart tightened. "Yes... but he’s recovering. The doctor said it’s under control. He just needs rest."

"I’m relieved," she said sincerely. "He’s family, Olivia. I want the two of you to get along. It’s important. You’re step-siblings now, and someday you’ll need to rely on each other."

I nodded quickly, forcing a small smile. "We’re fine. We’re... starting to form more of a sibling bond, actually. Talking, laughing a little. It’s good."

"That’s all I want," she said with a pleased smile. "Family should be united, not divided."

Her words pressed harder against my chest than she realized. She would never imagine what really happened between Gabriel and me. She must never know.

Before I could get too lost in my thoughts, she shifted the conversation. "And what about Daniel?"

I hesitated, then answered honestly, "We talked."

Her eyes softened. "Finally. He’s been waiting for you, Olivia. What did you decide?"

I exhaled, my heart thumping. "I told him yes."

Her lips curved into a broad smile. "Yes?"

"Yes, Mom," I repeated, looking down at my son, who was now rolling his toy car across the floor tiles. "I told Daniel I would be his girlfriend."

"Oh, Olivia," she breathed, reaching over to take my hand. "I’m so happy for you. Daniel is a good man. He loves you, and he treats your son as his own. That kind of devotion is rare."

I smiled faintly, though guilt swirled deep inside me. If only you knew the truth about who my son’s father really was...

"You’re right," I whispered. "Daniel’s been patient, and I thought it’s time I stop making him wait. He deserves that much."

"He deserves more than that," she said gently but firmly. "Loyalty, respect, stability—those are the things that last. Daniel will give you that. I’m proud of you for saying yes."

I swallowed hard and nodded, my chest heavy with the weight of my secret.

My mother squeezed my hand again, her smile warm. "This will be good for you. Good for your son. A family, Olivia. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you—to have someone to stand beside you, to take care of both of you."

My throat burned, but I forced myself to return her smile. "I know, Mom. That’s what I want too."

My son tugged on my sleeve, his toy car rattling in his hand. "Mommy, are we going home now?"

"Yes, sweetheart," I said, brushing his hair back from his forehead. "We’ll go home soon."

My mother stood, lifting her suitcase with practiced grace. "Come then, let’s get moving before the traffic worsens."

I rose with her, holding my son’s hand as we walked toward the exit. He skipped happily between us, humming to himself, innocent and carefree.

I smiled down at him, but inside, my chest ached. Because no matter how many times I promised myself to focus on Daniel, no matter how many lies I told my mother to keep the peace, I couldn’t erase the truth.

I had already betrayed Daniel with a kiss I shouldn’t have given in to.

And worse—Gabriel wasn’t just my stepbrother. He was my son’s real father.

That secret burned inside me, locked away where no one could ever reach it. Not even my mother. Especially not her.

The automatic doors slid open and the warm air of the city hit us, carrying the smell of exhaust fumes and fast food from the nearby stalls. My son squeezed my hand tighter, and I lifted him into my arms as we stepped onto the busy pavement.

I was about to call for a cab when my mother suddenly stiffened.

"Olivia..." she whispered, her tone strange.

I turned my head—and froze.

Gabriel stood a few feet away, leaning casually against a sleek black car. Sunglasses hid his eyes, but I didn’t need to see them to know they were locked on me. My stomach dropped.

He looked unfairly good, even with a faint scar on his cheek from the accident. A fitted white shirt, sleeves rolled up, the kind of careless elegance that made people look twice. My heart thudded painfully, my body remembering things I wished it wouldn’t.

"Gabriel?" My mother’s voice broke through, surprised but pleased. "What are you doing here?"

He pushed off the car and walked toward us, taking his glasses off. His eyes met mine for a brief, charged second before shifting to my mother. "My father asked me to fetch you both. He didn’t want you struggling with cabs after such a long flight."

I blinked at him, pulse hammering. He was here for her. Not for me. Still, the way his gaze flicked over my son and lingered a heartbeat too long made my stomach clench.

"That’s very thoughtful of him," my mother said, smiling warmly. She reached out and kissed Gabriel on the cheek like he was her own son. "I appreciate it."

"No," I cut in quickly, my voice sharper than intended. "It’s not necessary. I already booked a cab."

Gabriel’s jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing. His eyes, however, slid back to mine, dark and unreadable.

My mother looked at me in mild disapproval. "Olivia, don’t be rude. Gabriel came all the way here just for us."

"I know, Mom," I said firmly, shifting my son higher on my hip. "But we’ll be fine. The cab should be here any minute."

She sighed, shaking her head. "You’re too stubborn sometimes. Gabriel, dear, would you mind if I accept your offer? My legs are already aching from the flight."

"Of course," he said smoothly, opening the car door. "I’ll take care of everything."

"Mom—" I started, but she cut me off with a look.

"I don’t want to argue, Olivia. We’ll ride with him. You can keep your cab for another time."

Heat rose in my chest, but I swallowed it down. Fighting her now would only make me look unreasonable. I nodded stiffly. "Fine."

Gabriel’s eyes flickered with something I couldn’t read—satisfaction? amusement?—before he turned to load her suitcase into the trunk.

---

My son was thrilled to ride in the sleek vehicle, bouncing in his seat and pressing buttons with wide-eyed excitement. My mother sat comfortably beside him, chatting with Gabriel about the flight and family updates.

I sat on the farthest side, staring out the window, doing everything I could to ignore the man sitting only inches away.

But ignoring him was impossible. His presence filled the car. His scent, subtle but maddeningly familiar, wrapped around me. His voice, smooth and deep, made my heart pound no matter how calm he sounded.

"Olivia," my mother said, pulling me back. "Gabriel was just telling me he’ll be busy with the family business for the next few weeks. Isn’t that right?"

"Yes," he said easily. "But I’ll always make time if you need me."

I clenched my jaw and kept my eyes on the passing streets.

My mother glanced at me. "Isn’t it wonderful to have him around? He’s been very helpful since... well, since the accident."

I forced a smile. "Yes, wonderful."

Gabriel’s gaze slid toward me then, lingering. I could feel it burning into the side of my face. I refused to meet it.

Instead, I focused on my son, who was now holding his toy car against the window like it was racing the outside traffic. "Mommy, look! My car is faster than the real ones!"

I smiled at him, stroking his hair. "Yes, baby. You’re winning."

Gabriel’s low chuckle filled the space. "He’s got your determination."

My head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing. Our gazes locked, and the air thickened instantly. He knew what he was saying. He knew the truth hidden beneath my silence.

But my mother only laughed lightly, oblivious. "Children do take after their parents in the strangest ways, don’t they?"

I forced myself to look away, heart pounding in my ears. I can see him in my peripheral vision. I knew Gabriel was trying to talk to me about what happened, but I’m not giving him a chance.