CHAPTER 3 – Running From the Truth
652 Words
Olivia’s POV
I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t.
Lying in a hospital bed with the weight of a baby growing inside me—possibly from a one-night stand with a man I barely remembered—my mind was spiraling.
How could I let this happen?
I tried to breathe, but every inhale felt like it scraped my lungs.
A baby?
I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t stable. I wasn’t even whole.
Tears welled in my eyes as I clutched the edge of the blanket.
My chest hurt—not from the physical exhaustion but from the shame and fear wrapped tightly around my ribs.
I didn’t want to cry. But I did.
Quietly. Bitterly. Alone.
What would people say?
What kind of mother would I be?
I didn’t even know the man’s name from that night. I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want anything to do with him. This wasn't part of my plan. None of this was.
And now… that same arrogant customer from the pub, the one who insulted me, had decided to play hero?
A knock on the door made me tense. I wiped my face fast.
The door creaked open, and there he was.
He stepped inside slowly, hands in his pockets, watching me with a calmness that only irritated me more.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
I ignored his question.
"The doctor said you fainted from exhaustion. You need rest."
I didn’t reply. I didn’t care.
He moved closer to the chair beside the bed but didn’t sit.
"I’m not here to stress you. I just want to make sure you’re okay."
I turned away from him. "Why do you care?"
"Because you collapsed right in front of me. I couldn’t just ignore that."
"Well, thank you for your dramatic concern," I said sharply. "You can go now."
He finally sat, exhaling like he was carrying guilt.
"I know you don’t want to see me. And I know I was rude. I'm sorry."
"You should be."
"I'm not trying to interfere," he added quickly. "Just... let me help, even if it’s just making sure you get home safe."
I turned to him, narrowing my eyes. "Do you treat all your waitresses like this? Or am I just special?"
He didn’t answer.
I scoffed and pulled off the hospital sheets. My chest still felt heavy.
This isn’t how I imagined life would go. I wasn’t supposed to be here.
I wasn’t supposed to be pregnant. Alone. Exhausted.
A sob caught in my throat. I swallowed it down.
"I don’t need your help. I’m leaving."
"You're not discharged yet."
"Watch me."
I stood, wobbling a bit, but kept my balance. I walked to the chair where my clothes were folded and began to change.
"You really shouldn’t be walking around yet," he said from behind.
"And yet I am."
"Olivia—"
"I don't know what your problem is, but I don’t need a savior. I don’t want your help. Just stay out of my life."
He didn’t speak as I walked past him.
I didn’t even look back.
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Leo’s POV
I let her walk out.
I could’ve stopped her. Could’ve told her everything.
But the timing didn’t feel right.
She didn’t recognize me. Not from that night. And I wasn’t about to throw that truth at her while she was barely holding herself together.
I had my suspicions.
But I needed to be sure.
Until then, all I could do was watch over her… from a distance.
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Unknown POV
I watched from the far end of the hallway, hidden behind a privacy curtain.
She survived.
Annoying girl.
The poison should’ve worked. I was sure of it.
But no matter. The plan isn’t over.
I have time.
They took everything from me.
Now it’s my turn to take everything from them.
She thinks walking away will keep her safe?
She has no idea what’s coming.
Not yet.
- Writer
