THE EMPIRE BETWEEN US

Chapter 3: The Uninvited Guest

Olivia

“What’s the matter, Olivia? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Ryan’s voice grated against my nerves, smooth and mocking, as he leaned casually against the doorframe. I gripped the edge of the door tighter, trying to mask the panic rising in my chest.

“What are you doing here?” I managed, keeping my tone flat. There was is nothing more disgusting than seeing him on my porch acting all normal and condescending.

He smiled, that practised, the insincere curve of his lips that I once found charming. “I came to see Emma. My daughter, remember?”

My fingers tightened against the door. “Your daughter? The one you forgot about when you decided to sleep with that b***h, you call your assistant in our bed? Do you remember how you spoke to me just because of that thing? Now you are here to see your daughter? Please” I scoffed.

The smile faltered for a split second, but Ryan recovered quickly, stepping forward until the cold air seeped into the room. “I made a mistake. I’ve told you that. I’m here to make amends, Olivia. I want to. I shouldn't have spoken to you in that way. Just give me a chance.”

I snorted, crossing my arms. “Make amends? A chance? You’ve got some nerve showing up unannounced. Emma doesn’t need you disrupting her life, and neither do I.”

“Disrupting?” He feigned hurt, placing a hand on his chest like I’ve wounded him. “I’m staying at the main hotel just outside the city. I thought it would be... polite not to barge in on you. But I’d like to spend time with Emma. You can’t deny me that. I have a right to see my daughter, too; it would be cruel to deny me that.”

I wanted to slam the door in his face, tell him to leave and never come back. But I knew Ryan, and I knew his manipulations. He was not here to make amends, he was here because he thrives on control, on reminding me that he was always a step ahead.

“Fine,” I bit out. “You want to see Emma? I’ll think about it. But if you try anything, anything at all, I won’t hesitate to call the cops on you. Do you understand me?”

His smile widened, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Crystal clear, Liv.”

He stepped back, letting the cold night air fill the gap where he stood. “Oh, and tell Ethan I said hi.”

The door slammed shut before I processed his last words.

***

The next morning dawned bright and crisp, the snow-covered village bathed in sunlight. I was sipping coffee at the kitchen table when there was a knock at the door. My body tensed instinctively, but when I peeked through the curtain, it was Ethan, holding some files and laptop bag. From what I heard, he was able to inherit his parent's money. Confusion washed over me? It felt like he was going for a high profile meeting..

I opened the door, and his grin was a welcome relief from the tension lingering in my chest.

“Morning,” he said almost cold. Stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “Michael said he needed help with a deal.”

“Of course, he did,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Ethan’s gaze lingered on me for a beat longer than necessary before he glanced around the room. “Everything okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” I asked, too quickly.

He raised an eyebrow but didn't push. Instead, he sets the laptop down and heads toward the back where Michael is fiddling with some contraption.

Minutes later, the door swung open again, and this time, it was Ryan. I tightened my fist. The day just keeps getting better with faces to torture me with. I muttered in my head.

“Olivia,” he greeted smoothly, his eyes flicking toward the hallway. “Is this a bad time?”

Every muscle in my body goes rigid. “What do you want, Ryan?”

“I was hoping to talk to you about Emma,” he said, his tone deceptively calm.

Before I could respond, Ethan strolled back into the room, his eyes narrowing the second he saw Ryan.

“Am I interrupting?” Ethan asked, his voice colder than I’ve ever heard it.

“Not at all,” Ryan said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “And you are?”

“Ethan Blake,” Ethan said, his posture straightening. “Mike's best friend.”

“Ah, the infamous Ethan,” Ryan replied, his gaze flicking toward me. “Olivia mentioned you... once or twice.”

The tension between them was like a wave, a storm waiting to break. There was a familiarity between them but I didn't know how else to explain it. I could see the way Ethan’s jaw tightened, the way Ryan’s smirk deepened.

“I didn’t realize Olivia had company,” Ryan continued, his tone dripping with faux politeness.

“Olivia has a lot of people looking out for her,” Ethan said, his voice steady but sharp.

Ryan’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Well, I’ll leave you to it,” he said turning back to me. “We’ll talk later, Liv.”

The second he was gone, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“What the hell was that about?” Ethan asked, his voice low.

“Nothing,” I said shaking my head. “ I don't see how it concerns you.”

Ethan expressed shock and lack of conviction but he dropped it.

***

That afternoon, while unpacking boxes in my childhood room, I came across an old shoebox buried under a stack of books. It was filled with random trinkets, a friendship bracelet from middle school, a crumpled movie ticket, and... a letter.

My name was scrawled across the front in handwriting I’d recognize anywhere. Ethan’s.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I slid the letter out, the paper worn and faded from years of being tucked away.

Olivia,

I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just say it. I care about you. More than I probably should. More than I think you realize. But there’s something you need to know about Ryan...

The rest of the letter was smudged, the ink bled into the paper as if water once spilled across it. I could only make out fragments.

...not who you think he is... didn’t want to hurt you... should’ve told you sooner.

My heart pounded as I reread the words, my mind racing. What didn’t Ethan tell me? And why did he never give me the letter?

Before I could think too deeply, voices drift up from downstairs. Michael and Ethan, talking in hushed tones.

I crept to the top of the stairs, staying out of sight as their conversation grew clearer.

“You’re playing a dangerous game coming back here, Ethan,” Michael said, his voice low.

“I told you,” Ethan replied, frustration lacing his words. “It's just business. Besides, I have no intention of getting back with her. We were young and it ended. It didn't mean anything to me. I'm here for serious business, it has nothing to do with her."

"You never really told us what happened?"

"It is in the past. I hope it stays that way. Also , it is something that she shouldn't know about."

My breath caught itself, and I gripped the bannister for support.

"What was he hiding? Most importantly, how did he know Ryan?" I asked myself.

And why did I suddenly feel like I’ve been caught in the middle of something far bigger than I ever realised?