Chapter Five
1104 Words
Chapter 5
Olivia Harper stood on the smooth marble flooring of the Blackwood Industries foyer, her heart thudding painfully beneath her ribcage. Her fists tightened around the leather strap of her bag as the towering glass walls extended eternally above her, sunshine shining off the metal framework. She shouldn’t be here. Her reflection gazed back at her from the shiny surface of the elevator doors, chestnut hair flowing over her shoulders in beautiful waves, dark eyes wide with calm strain. The crisp lines of her cut gray blazer and pencil skirt gave the sense of order but within, her chest was in chaos. Three years. Three years of carefully keeping her life distinct from Nathan Blackwood’s world. And suddenly, here she was, stepping directly back into the storm. The elevator dinged faintly. Olivia’s heart thumped against her ribs as the doors slid open. And there he was. Nathan Blackwood stood inside the elevator, tall and authoritative in a dark charcoal suit that suited his broad shoulders and powerful body. His crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, a slight revolt against the otherwise faultless appearance of control. But it wasn’t the suit that stole Olivia’s breath, it was his gaze. Sharp green eyes that pinned her in place with unwavering intensity. The identical eyes that peered back at her every day from Ethan’s little face. Nathan’s gaze hardened the instant he spotted her. His jaw tightened, and the muscle in his temple flexed. "Olivia?" His voice was low and threatening. Olivia pushed herself to smile, ignoring the loud thump of her pulse in her ears. "It’s been a while." Nathan’s eyes narrowed. "Not long enough." Her chest squeezed cruelly. "Are you getting in?" His voice was laced with chilly impatience. She hesitated for a few minutes, then got inside the elevator. The doors slid shut behind her with a low hiss. The air inside the elevator was electric, the limited space intensifying the tension between them. Nathan’s scent, deep and masculine with a hint of leather and spice, wrapped around her senses, bringing her back to a place she’d been trying to forget. Nathan’s gaze went over her gently, scrutinising. "I didn’t expect to see you here." "I’m working with Mercer & Co.," Olivia answered, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. "We’re handling the integration of your latest acquisition." Nathan’s gaze sharpened. "And they assigned you?" Olivia’s chin lifted. "Yes." His mouth curved into a wicked smile. "Interesting." The elevator slid easily upward, but the weight of Nathan’s stare made Olivia’s fingers sweat. "I suppose you’ve reviewed the project brief?" Nathan asked. "Of course," Olivia said, keeping her tone professional. "Mercer & Co. has already established the groundwork for the shift. My duty is to make sure the integration happens without disturbance." Nathan’s eyes flashed darkly. "I’m sure you’ll manage it nicely." The elevator slowed, and Olivia’s breath hitched as the doors opened onto the executive floor. Nathan beckoned for her to step out first. "After you." Olivia’s heels tapped across the glossy floor as she went into the corridor. Glass walls enclosed the vast corridor, overlooking the Manhattan cityscape far below. Nathan’s long strides easily matched hers as they strolled side by side toward his office. "You’ve done well for yourself," Nathan remarked gently. "I manage," Olivia said. Nathan’s gaze sharpened. "And Ethan?" Olivia’s breath hitched. "What?" Nathan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "I’ve heard of him." Olivia’s pulse beat painfully. She forced herself to breathe. "He’s doing fantastic." Nathan’s jaw flexed. "Three years is a long time to keep a secret, Olivia." She froze mid-step, looking toward him. "I didn’t keep a secret." Nathan’s gaze clouded. "Didn’t you?" Olivia’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. "It was my decision to make." Nathan’s eyes flared. "You should have told me." "And then what?" Olivia’s voice raised. "You would have stepped in and taken over? Taken him from me?" Nathan’s mouth constricted. "Is that what you think of me?" "I don’t know what to think." Olivia’s chest squeezed uncomfortably. "But you don’t get to walk back into my life and demand answers now." Nathan’s gaze travelled over her face, searching for something beneath the wrath. "You think I wouldn’t have wanted him?" "Would you?" Olivia’s voice was sharp. Nathan’s eyes flared dangerously. "Yes." Her breath stilled. Nathan went closer, his hand moving to brush against her arm. "I would have wanted him. I would have wanted both of you." Olivia’s heart smashed against her ribs. His touch sent a wicked thrill slithering through her veins. "You went away," Nathan replied gently. "You didn’t offer me a choice." "I did what I thought was best." Olivia’s voice was barely a whisper. "And now?" Nathan’s eyes darkened. "What do you think is best now?" Olivia’s chest tightened. She stepped back, breaking his touch. "This is business, Nathan. Nothing more." Nathan’s mouth twisted into a tiny, menacing smile. "We’ll see about it." ******** The remainder of the day passed in a blur. Olivia submerged herself in meetings, hiding behind spreadsheets and financial reports. But no matter how hard she tried to focus, Nathan’s voice plagued her – the heat of his eyes, the passion of his words. When Olivia arrived home that evening, Ethan was seated on the floor in the living room, surrounded by construction blocks. His brown hair was unkempt, and his emerald eyes brightened up when he spotted her. "Mommy!" He sprang to his feet and barreled into her arms. Olivia hugged him hard, her heart twisting horribly. Ethan leaned back, his sparkling eyes intrigued. "Mommy, when can I meet my daddy?" Olivia’s breath caught cruelly. Her chest clenched as Ethan’s innocent look froze her in place. "I…" Olivia swallowed hard. "We’ve talked about this, dear. It’s complicated." Ethan frowned. "But all the other kids have fathers." Olivia’s heart fractured. "I know, baby. I know." Later that night, after Ethan had fallen asleep, Olivia sat at the kitchen table, a glass of wine in her hand as her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number lit up the screen: We’re not done, Olivia. Her chest was constricted. She already knew who it was. Nathan. A little later, another message appeared: We need to talk. Tomorrow. My office. Don’t make me come to you. Olivia’s heart raced. She laid the phone down, her hands quivering. This was spiraling too quickly. Nathan wasn’t going to let this go. And deep down, Olivia knew that she couldn’t keep the truth from him much longer. Nathan had already claimed part of her life. Now he was coming for the whole of it.
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