bChapter /b132

bChapter /bb132 /b

OLIVIA’S POV

The car ride back to Julian’s ce felt longer than usual, even though the roads were familiar. It was like time was dragging just to match bthe /bweight was carrying emotionally. Still, despite the ache in my chest and the storm of thoughts clouding my mind, there was one thing I could hold onto–I was finally free. Free from Adrian’s hold. Free from the mental tug–of–war I had been stuck in for months.

bI /bhadn’t told my family that I would be leaving Adrian’s house today, so my return would definitelye as a surprise. But out of everyone, I knew bmy /bmom would be the most excited. She had been praying, hoping, and pushing me to leave that ce, and now her wish had finallye true.

With that chapter behind me, it was time to start thinking about whaty ahead–my trip to Mexico, and the fresh start I so desperately needed. A new country, a new opportunity, and maybe, just maybe, a new version of me.

The car pulled up in front of the house, and I stepped out, pulling my luggage behind me. Just as I reached for the doorknob, the front door swung open, and there stood Julian with a puzzled expression on his face, like he hadn’t expected to see me so soon.

“Surprise,” I said with a small smile, trying to sound lighter than I felt.

He blinked, clearly trying to process what he was seeing. “You came back? This is the first time you’ve igone /ito Adrian’s and actuallye back the same day. Did he… expand the number of times you’re allowed to leave?”

I didn’t respond with words. Instead, I stepped aside slightly and dragged my luggage into view. His eyes widened instantly as realization dawned on

him.

“Wait…no way. You did it? You actually left?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief and cautious hope.

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be standing here with my luggage, would I?” I replied, raising an eyebrow.

He let out augh, almost like a breath he had been holding finally escaped. “Wow. Congrattions,” he said, pulling me into a hug. “I didn’t expect you toe back so soon. Honestly, that was one of my biggest fears–that Adrian would somehow convince you to stay. But here you are.”

“Here I am,” I echoed, letting his words sink in. It felt good to hear that someone had faith in me, even if I had doubted myself along the way.

“This is great news,” he said enthusiastically, grabbing my luggage and dragging it inside with ease. As he stepped into the living room, he called out, “Mom! Guess who’s here to stay!”

Footsteps echoed down the staircase, and then my mother appeared, her eyes immediatelynding on the suitcase in Julian’s hand. When she looked at me and saw the emotion on my face, her own eyes lit up with warmth and relief.

“I was already missing you, mi amori,/ii” /ishe said, moving quickly to embrace me.

“Well, you won’t have to miss me anymore,” I replied with a softugh. “Because I’m here to stay.”

My mom’s eyes welled up a little. “Thank God,i” /ishe whispered.

Julian, curious as ever, turned toward me. “Wait, does that mean Adrian denied the pregnancy? Did you tell him?”

I shook my head and nced at the floor, the heaviness returning to my chest. “No. I didn’t even get the chance.”

“What? But you said you were ready to tell him,” Julian said, his voiceced with confusion.

“Come, sit,” my imom /iinterrupted gently, guiding me to the couch. “Tell us what happened.”

I sat down and exhaled deeply. “You’re not going to believe it,” I said with ba /bsarcastic snicker. “I walked in and heard Isadora telling bAdrian /bbthat /bbshe /bbwas /bpregnant with his child.”

Both of their eyes widened in shock.

b1/3 /b

| b1109 Sat /b31 May

bChapter /bb132 /b

b“/bbYou /bbwere /bright, Mom,” bI /bsaid quietly, the pain creeping back into bmy /bbvoice/b. “I shouldn’t have gone there bin /bbthe /bfirst ce

“It’s bokay/bb,/bb” /bshe whispered, wrapping her arms around me in aforting embrace. “What matters now is that you’re home

And her hugs always came at the right time.

The bwarmth /bof her arms was the kind offort I didn’t realize I needed until I was in it. It felt safe. It felt real.

“Well, he was always a douchebag,” Julian said, clearly trying to lighten the mood. “I’m sorry to hear that though. I know you had hope, even if you didn’t say it.”

I smiled faintly and nodded. “Yeah, I’m not that disappointed, honestly. I saw iting from the beginning. I just thought maybe, just maybe, he could prove me wrong. I guess part of me wanted to believe he had more in him. That there was still something worth saving,”

Julian shook his head. “Some people don’t deserve second chances, Liv. And Adrian? He ran through all of his

My mom ced her hand gently on my shoulder. “Forget about him, mija. There are so many other men in this world–men who would treat you like the queen you are. Back in Mexico, chivalry is still alive in the hearts of real men. They know how to love, how to protect, how to respect. Trust me, Mr. Pight is out there. You just haven’t met him yet.”

I knew she meant well. She always did. She was trying to cheer me up, to make me believe in something good again. But forgetting Adrian wouldn’t be easy. As much as it hurt to admit, he still had pieces of my heart. I didn’t even understand why. Most of my memories with him were filled with hurt, betrayal, and maniption… and yet, the ache in my chest was real.

Still, healing isn’t impossible. It just takes time. And I needed to give myself that time–to feel, to grieve, to let go. But more than anything, I needed to shift my focus. I was done letting pain define me. I was going to focus on building my lifeb, /bon stacking sess after sess. If I kept my mind busy chasing goals and making money, I wouldn’t have time to look back.

“Thanks, Mom,” I said sincerely. “I’m ready to move forward. Now, when exactly are we leaving for Mexico?”

“That’s the spirit!” Julian chimed in, grinning.

“I’ll call your father and let him know what’s happening,” my mom said quickly, already pulling her phone out of her pocket.

There was no one else in this country I needed to say goodbye to. No lingering ties, no unfinished business. I was ready to go. As soon as my dad was informed, we could leave. I looked at Julian, already feeling lighter.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been on a ne,” I said, trying to make small talk while my mom was on the call.

“Same here,” Julian replied. “But I’m excited to get out of here. Fresh air, different views, a new beginning.”

“When are we leaving then? Are you going to book the ne tickets soon?” I asked, eager to know.

But instead of answering right away, Julian looked at me like I’d just asked if we were flying on a magic carpet. His expression was amused, borderline

smug.

“Who said anything about booking a ne ticket?” he asked, tilting his head.

I blinked. “Wait, are we going by road? Is that even possible? bIt /bwould take days!”

Julianughed. “Nob, /bwe’re not driving. But there’s no need to book anything because… we’re not flyingmercial

I gave him a confused look. “What do you meanb?/bb” /b

He smiled. “We have our own private jet.”

His words hit me like a gust of wind. “You have a what?”

“A private jet,” he repeatedb, /bclearly enjoying my shock. “And a private helicopter. Oh–and our own yacht, too.b” /b

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11:09 bSat/b, b31 /bMay Gu

My jaw nearly dropped. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope,” he said proudly. “Wee to the good life, Liv.”

That was… more than I expected. Adrian had a private jet, sure. But this? A helicopter? A yacht? That was next–level wealth. And this time, I was surrounded by people who actually loved me–people who would never use luxury to manipte me.

It felt good knowing this was my new life, now it was just to adapt to it

bAD /b

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