“Blissful Divorce” (Freedom Came Wrapped in Bittersweet Promises)

Torn Between Fire and Ice Olivia's POV This is how you have been living then? Like never I have ever existed? Sharp and piercing through the buzz of the packed gala was the voice. My breath stopped when I stopped in the middle step. I had no need to turn around to identify Adam Caldwell. The man whose name was as famous as his wealth and whose betrayal I had promised never to pardon. I turned gently, like a shield gripping my champagne flute. He was standing there, running the room as naturally as always. His broad shoulders striking contrast to the vulnerability in his icy blue eyes, his dark suit was exactly tailored. Vulnerability? No, I have to be dreaming that. I made my voice steady by force. And how precisely, Adam, should I be living? Mourning the life you seized from me? His jaw tightened, his facial muscles ticking like a clock running down to some invisible explosion. "I never took anything from you. You turned away. I started to laugh bitterly, the sound alien even to me. Oh, you're right. I left being disregarded, from little more than a pawn to you and your family. From invisible. Adam moved closer, his tall form invading my territory and the familiar smell of cedar and something darker bringing uncomfortable memories. "You were not invisible to Olivia, either. You were never. But you". "What?" I caught and cut him off. In my ears my pulse thundered. "I did not fit your immaculate little world? Not enough subserviency for your chilly, deliberate plans? Though his countenance hardened, he flinched as though I had hit him. You find me to be frigid? You assume I had little interest? You know nothing about what I— "Enough!," Hissed; my voice dropped to a whisper. "You are not able to return and change history. Not in line with what you did. Not following what you... failed to do His eyes fixed on me, and for a moment the throng surrounding us vanished. Olivia, I did not fight for us. And that is me as well. Still, I am here right now. Now? The word echoed back to me like a sour note. I shook my head, my voice quivering with restrained fury. "Adam, it is too late." Whatever this is—whatever game you believe you are engaged in—I have no interest. I turned and disappeared among the dazzling throng of business and socialites before he could reply. My heart was a wild drumming, every stride an effort to keep my cool. Years of trying to piece myself back together, and I was not about to let Adam Caldwell wreck it all in one evening. Stepping onto the balcony to escape the stifling grandeur of the banquet, the evening air was clear. A reminder of how far I had come, the city lights seemed to go on forever before me. My company was about to shine—if I could land this agreement tonight. But Adam's unexpected arrival had knocked me off-balance; his comments resurrected feelings I had buried years ago. Outrage. Injured. Worse still, something quite near to longing. White knuckles, I held the railing. Pull it all together, Olivia. He just is a ghost from your past. Nothing more is required. "Chatting to yourself right now?" I shivered down my spine from the rich, silky voice. I whirled around to discover Adam slumped against the doorframe, his tie undone, a knowing smile playing on his lips. I crossed my arms and pointed at him. "Do you stalk your ex-wife on a regular basis? Or am I just special?" He pushed off the doorframe and came up to me with predatory but fluid motions. "I would not classify it as stalking. More like... following in. "Checking in? I laughed at this. "You've had years to 'check in,' Adam. What are your desired outcomes? Stopped only a breath away, his sharp eye fixed on me. "I need to know why you have kept me in the dark." His tone of indignation resembled a spark to dry tinder. "In the dark about what?," "Don't engage in game-playing with Olivia." His voice fell, low and perilous. "I have noticed the indicators of mistakes. Tell me the straight truth. My pulse skipped a beat, terror flickering across me. He knew nothing. Is he able? I attempted a sarcastic smile to cover my discomfort. "Adam, you're being mysterious. Would you be interested in enlightening me? His hand flew out to hold the railing next to me. "Is it mine?" The weight of his words pressed down like a thunder cloud, the air between us seeming to still. I gazed at him while my mind flew. How had he worked through it? I had been exceedingly cautious, so— "What are you speaking about?" My voice faltered and betrayed me. He snipped, his other hand curling into a fist at his side. Olivia, do not lie to me. Sophia... is she mine? On his lips, the sound of my daughter's name was like a blade to the heart. The words froze in my throat as I opened my mouth to reject it and deflect. In my stillness, he sensed the truth; his visage darkened with a mix of grief and resentment. His voice raw, "You had my child," he cried, "and you didn't tell me?" "I didn't think you were really interested!" Words exploded before I could stop them. Adam, you showed no concern for me. Why would you show her some interest? His voice surged as his eyes flashed. For me, you do not get to make that decision. You cannot keep my daughter a secret! Though I wanted to let them fall, tears welled in my eyes. "I did what I had to do to guard her. From your family and from you. Based on everything you stand for. "You don't know what I stand for anymore," he yelled back, his voice softer now but still rather strong. "You know the man I have evolved into." And whose faults are those? My voice broke as I responded. You drove Adam away. You made me feel like nothing at all. I couldn let you treat her like that. He seemed like he may protest for a split second, then his shoulders slumped and something in his eyes changed. Reiteration. One suffers pain. Even love, maybe. You believe I have no regrets about what I did? Olivia makes one every single day. I was a stupid person. Blind. Still, I am here right now. Let me be here for her. for you. I shook my head and back-off. "It's not that simple." "It can be," he insisted, his tone suddenly gentle. "We are free to start afresh. Create fresh things. My laugh was sour, flavored with hopelessness. And what happens when everything comes apart once more? When you conclude I'm not sufficient? His voice steady, he said, "I'll never make that mistake again." You really have to believe me. I would have liked to believe him. God, I desired. But trust was not something he could heal overnight; his scars ran too deep. Whispering, turning away, "I can't do this, Adam," I said "I cannot let you damage me once more.” The weight of his stare trailed me back inside, laden with unspoken promises and unresolved grief. Back inside the gala, I saw Ella Caldwell, whose flawlessly painted smile covered the poison in her remarks. For yourself, Olivia, you have done great. But never consider yourself welcome back in this family for a moment. I squared my shoulders and defied her with a look. "Don't fret, Ella. I do not intend to return. Her smile grew wider, but her eyes glittered with hate. Excellent. You are quite mistaken if you believe Adam will ever pardon you for this little prank you have done. My gut turned over confusion and fear. "What are you referring to??" Ella bent in, her voice a chilly whisper. Oh, beautiful girl. Did you truly believe I would not learn of your little secret concerning Sophia? As her comments sank in, the ground appeared to move under me. She understood. And, should Ella know, the whole Caldwell enterprise would not be far behind. Her sweeping carried my heartbeat in my ears. This did not end. Not very likely. And I did not know how to stop the approaching storm. Adam spoke low, yet it cut like steel. "You're wrong, Olivia; you think you've outwitted me." I stopped, fingers squeezing around the bar counter's edge. The poorly lighted room seemed colder, the weight of his words weighing on the air. Heart thumping, I turned to face him. "What are you speaking of?" His blue eyes burned with a terrible intensity, his lips curling into a nasty smile. You told me a falsehood. You drove Sophia away from me. But right now I know everything. A cold shot down my spine, and my head spun trying to find a justification. You do not grasp—” "Don't," he said, snarling and getting closer, his presence overwhelming. Not even try to defend this. I was entitled to know the truth. My breaths stopped. And from that truth, Adam, what would you have done? Made use of it against me turned her into still another pawn in your family's warped game? His jaw tightened and his voice trembled with repressed wrath. You truly do think I am that man? That I would have ever welcomed her into my life as I have been seeking escape? I opened my lips to react, but the words would not come. Buried under layers of rage, the fragility flickering in his eyes made me stumble. He was injured, not only enraged. He ran a hand through his hair and breathed sharply. You have no faith in me. Not in her presence. Not with anything specifically. And maybe I am deserving of that. He stopped, his voice falling to a perilous whisper. "But what you lack knowledge is, it makes no difference now." "What do you mean??" Demand drove me, my pulse racing. Adam fixed his eyes on me and his smile returned, this time harsher, more deliberate. "Ella knows." On Sophia. And you are crazy if you momentarily believe she will let this slide pass. The ground appeared to move under me, a chilly sweatshirt starting along my spine. "Ella?," I murmured, fear tiptoeing into my voice. He nodded with a sad look. Olivia, she has already made her move. And believe me; you are not ready for what is ahead. As his comments sank in, the room seemed to shut in on me. My brain cried for solutions, but Adam's next word froze me. She is scheduled to see Sophia. She won't stop either until she has what she wants. The air buzzed with unsaid tension, and I knew coldly—I had just entered a conflict I might not be able to win.