via could almost picture Daniel' s handsome face, the charmi

a? Is this a joke?" he finally ask

flat and devoid of the affection he was

eryone is expecting it!" he sputtered, his voice rising in panic. He wasn' t concerned about

ll have my things moved out of your apartmen

ng over her. It was the first step. The first crack in the facade of t

t. I called of

livia, honey, what happened? Did you two hav

a long story, but I know, with absolute certainty, that marrying Daniel

relief. "To be honest, Olivia... your father and I were never completely sold on him. He always seem

ast life, she had brushed off her parents' subtle warnings, too blinded b

tle sly. "You know, Ethan was just asking about you the other day. He' s back in town for a few week

. A warmth spread through her chest, a feeling she hadn' t experienced in decad

y dressed in a tailored suit, his hair immaculate, his face a mask of concerned confusion. In her previous life, she would have found him devastatin

ing over the phone," he said, stepping inside without bein

voiding his touch.

e? I told you, it was just a business dinner,"

rom him. She couldn't stand the sight of him, the smell

g patience. "You' re obviously just stressed about the wedding. It' s a lot

nning water started, his phone, left on the coffee table, buzzed. Olivia' s eyes darte

t stop thinking about you. Wh

over to the overnight bag he had dropped by the door. Her hands didn't even shake as she unzipped it. She didn't have to look far. Tucked into a s

minated just by being in the same room as him, as his things. She dr

ed around his waist, water droplets glistening on his chest. He had that arrogant, se

e reached out to pull her to him, his intentions clear.

ion, willing to overlook any red flags for a moment of his attention. She would

was her

chest, stopping him cold. Th

" she said, her voice like ice.

ng for the first time. The reject

aze unwavering. "There' s

e was serious. Without another word, he turned, grabbed his clothes and

ing not with fear or sadness, but with a cold, ele