Chapter Nineteen - The Collision of Lovers
1090 Words
The music was deafening, the lights strobing in every direction, and the floor was slick with foam.
Rage bloomed in Olivia’s chest. She marched forward, foam spraying at her skirt, crowd parting like a curtain before a wounded animal.
She didn’t think. She couldn’t.
She crossed the distance between them, foam clinging to her skin, heart racing with every step.
When she reached them, her hand came up before logic could stop it.
Slap.
The woman gasped, stumbling slightly from the force. The entire group around them stilled. Olivia’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her hands clenched at her sides, face flushed with fury.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Nick’s voice thundered, his expression twisted in disbelief.
He stepped between them instantly—between Olivia and the woman—his body angled protectively.
“Are you out of your mind, Olivia?”
The words stung more than the cold foam soaking her dress. Her vision blurred, not from the lights, but from the tears forming behind her lashes.
“She—” Olivia started, but Nick cut her off.
“She didn’t do anything! You don’t get to come here and act like this. What is wrong with you?”
He was furious. Not cold, not indifferent—furious.
People had started watching. Whispers spread through the crowd like fire.
“I—” Olivia looked around, her voice choked. The woman behind Nick looked smug, rubbing her cheek but standing proud. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to no one in particular, and then turned, pushing her way through the crowd.
Outside, the night air hit her like a slap of its own. Cold, damp, and cruel.
She ran, her heels splashing against puddles and foam, until she reached the alley beside the building. There, in the dark, she bent forward, gasping for breath, clutching at her chest like her heart might fall out if she didn’t.
Tears spilled freely now.
Why had he defended her?
Why had he shouted like that?
Why did it hurt this much?
Footsteps approached quickly behind her. For a second, hope stirred. Maybe—maybe it was him.
“Olivia?”
She turned.
Not Nick.
It was Daniel—one of the guys from her class, holding a drink in one hand, his brows furrowed in concern.
“What happened?” he asked. “What’s wrong with you and Ria? Do you know her or something?”
She sniffed, brushing tears from her cheek. “No—I mean, not really. I don’t know. Something happened inside… and I just reacted. I shouldn’t have.”
Daniel gave her a look. “That wasn’t just a reaction. You slapped her.”
Olivia swallowed. “I don’t know what came over me.”
Daniel’s lips pressed into a tight line. “Well, I doubt Professor Nick will forgive you for slapping his girlfriend.”
Olivia blinked. “His what?”
“You didn’t know?” Daniel asked, raising a brow. “Why else do you think he jumped in like that? Who protects someone like that unless—” He trailed off with a chuckle. “You really didn’t know?”
Olivia shook her head slowly.
He sighed. “Olivia, did you have any idea Nick and Ria…? I mean, Ria’s not just some random kid. She’s… his ex.” He paused to let it sink in. “They were the campus power couple. Nick Reed and Ria Jameson—everyone knew them. Their breakup was huge. Two years ago, it was all anyone talked about. Then Ria moved to the States. I heard she landed back in town today. He must’ve picked her up.”
Olivia’s breath caught. Her fog of anger peeled away to reveal raw confusion. “His ex?” she repeated, voice trembling. “His… ex-girlfriend?”
Daniel nodded. “Yeah. They dated for years. He was crazy about her—everyone knew. And after tonight? Pretty sure they’re back on.”
Olivia’s heart thudded painfully in her chest.
She was quiet for a long moment.
“I… didn’t know any of that,” she said, her voice hollow. “I only know Nick after he joined here.”
Daniel sighed. “Not your fault. You’re not from our city. Nick and I grew up in the same city—people know him. But if you’ve never lived there, you wouldn’t know about Ria. You’d think he left his old life behind to teach here. He did that, sort of. But he never forgot her.”
The weight of it pressed into Olivia’s limbs. The night had promised freedom but delivered a deeper prison of heartbreak. She shivered, the damp air seeping into her bones.
Daniel stood. “Come on. Let’s get you home.” He offered her a hand; she took it, wincing as the cold touch grounded her.
He led her down the street away from the warehouse, past empty storefronts and streetlights flickering overhead. Olivia let her head rest against his shoulder for a moment, exhaustion overtaking her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “For… everything.”
Daniel squeezed her hand. “It’s a hell of a night. Give yourself time. You’ll figure it out.”
They reached the parking area where Mia’s car was still idling. Olivia climbed in gratefully. Daniel stayed outside, watching her.
“Thanks,” she mouthed. He nodded, then disappeared into the night.
Olivia sank into the back seat. The door closed with a gentle click, leaving her alone in the hush of the car’s interior. She stared out at the foam-slicked street, trying to sort through the mess of emotions—anger, betrayal, confusion, self-doubt.
Mia slid into the driver’s seat, concern evident in her eyes. “Liv, are you okay?”
Olivia swallowed hard. “No,” she admitted. “But… I’ll be.”
She wiped her cheeks and met Mia’s gaze in the mirror. “I need to go home.”
Mia nodded, starting the engine. “Anywhere but here.”
The car pulled away, leaving behind the pounding music and neon lights. Olivia watched the foam-covered ground recede, her reflection ghostly in the window.
And somewhere behind her, Nick Reed’s fractured loyalties flickered in her mind—an image of the man she’d hoped to understand, now unmasked in his devotion to someone not her.
She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the trip back to her dorm. The night was far from over, but at least now she knew which battle she’d lost.
- Writer
