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The Mask(CH-12)

Ch12

Inside the quiet car, Olivia’s breaths were uneven. Though Richard had walked away, his words stayed — echoing, haunting. Her hands clenched tightly on her lap. Her chest felt heavy. She couldn't look up.

Ryan sat beside her, watching every trembling movement. “Olivia,” he said softly, “talk to me.”

She slowly turned to him, her eyes glossy, her lips trembling. “Why… why does it still hurt so much?” she whispered, her voice barely a thread. “Why can’t I just forget?”

Tears welled in her eyes again. “I hate that he still has power over me. I hate how weak I feel when he talks. I hate it, Ryan.”

Ryan reached over, cupping her cheek with the gentlest touch. “You’re not weak,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “You’re… human. And you’ve carried so much pain alone.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “It never leaves me. I try to smile, laugh, study… and then he appears, and it all breaks again.”

Ryan pulled her into him, holding her close. Her head rested against his chest, but even his heartbeat couldn’t calm her this time. Her shoulders trembled. Her breathing quickened.

“I don’t want to feel like this anymore,” she cried into his shirt, helpless.

“I know,” Ryan whispered, “I know. But I’m here now. Let me help you carry it. You don’t have to be strong all the time. Not with me.”

She didn’t say anything — just shook her head as if nothing could fix the storm inside her.

Ryan pulled slightly back, tilting her face up so she would look into his eyes.

“I can’t erase your past,” he said softly, “but I can promise you one thing… I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Not even yourself.”

Her breath caught.

And in that moment — heavy with pain, trust, and the deepest longing for comfort — Olivia leaned forward, her eyes still wet. Ryan met her halfway, uncertain at first, then sure.

Their lips met in a quiet, trembling kiss — not out of romance, but out of deep emotion. It was slow, soft, aching — like two hearts trying to heal each other.

When they pulled apart, Olivia closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his.

“I needed that,” she whispered.

Ryan smiled faintly, brushing a strand of her hair away. “Me too.”

And in that silence, no more words were needed. Just the warmth between them. Just the calm after the storm..

Later that evening, as Ryan and Olivia reached his home, the sky was beginning to darken. A quiet wind blew, and Olivia, still weak, leaned against his shoulder. Everything felt calm now — too calm.

Ryan helped her to the guest room, made her sit, and was about to bring her water when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and froze.

“What happened?” Olivia asked gently, noticing his expression change.

Ryan didn’t answer immediately. He stared at the screen, his jaw tight.

“It’s my lawyer,” he finally said, voice tense. “There’s a notice… a legal case filed against me. For company fraud.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. “What? That’s not true, right?”

“Of course it’s not,” Ryan said, pacing now. “But someone’s trying to drag me down.”

He stopped and turned toward her. “It’s Richard. It has to be. He’s trying to take revenge.”

Olivia’s heartbeat quickened again. “What does it mean? Will anything happen to you?”

Ryan sat beside her, running a hand through his hair. “It means things are about to get messy. Legally, emotionally… and publicly.”

She held his hand. “We’ll face this together.”

But just then, Ryan’s housekeeper rushed in with a letter.

“Sir… this came just now. Someone dropped it off. No name.”

Ryan opened the envelope and pulled out a photo. His eyes widened.

Olivia leaned closer — and what she saw made her go cold.

It was a photo of her, at the hospital… unconscious. And behind the photo, a note:

“You took everything from me. Now it’s my turn. – R”

Olivia gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth.

Ryan crushed the paper in his fist, his voice low and dangerous:

“He’s not done yet. But neither am I.”