Chapter 228

Olivia

The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden hue across the room. I had barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, images of what might happen at our meeting with Ryan played out like a gruesome movie.

And now, morning had arrived, and those fears were no longer contained within the realm of dreams.

Beside me, Nathan stirred. He reached out, his fingers finding mine under the sheets. The warmth of his touch, so familiar and comforting, couldn’t quite dispel the cold knot of anxiety in my stomach.

“We should get up,” I whispered. The reality of the situation pressed on me, making the air feel heavy.

Before Nathan could respond, the unmistakable sound of twin cries echoed from the nursery. Elliot and Aurora. In the midst of our concerns, they remained our anchor, a reminder of what we were fighting for.

Nathan was the first to rise, pulling on a shirt and heading to the nursery. I followed, pausing for a moment to glance at the photograph on our dresser. It was a picture from our childhood, one which I had found tucked away in the basement.

In the picture, I wore a pair of denim overalls with rips at the knees, and a purple sweater. Nathan was missing his two front teeth, and was clearly blowing a raspberry at the camera. And on the other side of me, holding up bunny ears behind my head with two fingers, was Alvin.

How far we had come from that joyous moment.

In the nursery, the soft pastel colors and whimsical decorations contrasted sharply with the gravity of our situation. Elliot’s wails were slightly louder than Aurora’s, a competitive streak already evident.

I picked up Aurora, and Nathan lifted Elliot. Their cries softened as they nestled into our arms, seeking comfort.

I hummed softly, the old lullaby my mother used to sing, as I changed and fed Aurora. Across the room, Nathan did the same for Elliot, his deep voice murmuring soothing words.

For a brief moment, the room was filled with nothing but the gentle sounds of our little family. It was a bubble of serenity that I wished we could stay in forever. But the weight of the coming day pressed on my mind, and I knew we had to address it.

Breaking the silence, I hesitated before plunging into the topic we'd both been avoiding.

“Nathan, today... with Ryan... what’s our plan?”

Nathan sighed deeply, his face paling a bit. “Look, I've been thinking. The twins should stay here. Angela can watch them. I’ve also arranged for guards to be posted outside to ensure they’re safe.”

I nodded, trying to focus on the logistics. “Okay. And us?”

“That’s the thing,” he began cautiously, avoiding eye contact. “I think... I think I should go alone.”

The room felt suddenly colder. “Excuse me?” I asked incredulously.

He sighed, setting Elliot down in his crib. “Olivia, I don’t want you anywhere near that meeting. Ryan’s dangerous. I can’t bear the thought of something happening to you.:

Anger surged within me. “So, what? You expect me to just sit here, playing the doting mother while you deal with dangerous men? Are you forgetting who I am, Nathan?”

His eyes darted to mine, a fire kindling in them. “Of course not. But this isn’t about who you are or what you can handle. It’s about our family’s safety. Ryan wants Elliot. If you’re there, it’s two targets instead of one.”

I rocked Aurora gently, trying to keep my voice steady. “Who was the one who dragged you out of the burning car wreck? Me. I’ve faced danger already quite recently, Nathan. I won’t shy away now.”

“That was different, Olivia,” Nathan shot back, frustration evident in his voice. “That was a sudden crisis. This is a premeditated encounter with a man we know to be dangerous.”

I huffed, placing Aurora carefully back into her crib next to her brother. “I can’t believe you’d even think to sideline me like this.”

Before Nathan could reply, I heard the sound of the front door opening. A few moments later, Aurora entered the room. Her eyes flitted between us, sensing the tension. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine,” I muttered, not meeting her gaze.

She approached, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Whatever you two decide, know that I’ll be here. Elliot and Aurora will be safe with me.”

Nathan nodded gratefully. “Thanks, Angela. That means a lot.”

As the minutes ticked by, the atmosphere in the nursery became thick with unspoken words and concerns. Angela busied herself with the twins, giving Nathan and me some space.

Leaning in, Nathan;s voice was barely above a whisper. “Liv, I’m scared. For you, for the twins, for all of us. I need to know you’re safe.”

My heart ached, torn between understanding his fears and asserting my role in our shared life. “Nathan, if you don't let me come with you, if you make this decision without me, I’ll have no choice.” I met his gaze, the determination clear in my eyes. “I’ll follow you.”

Nathan’s gaze locked onto mine, a mix of exasperation and concern. “You would really stalk me all the way to our meeting with Ryan? Risk everything? In your condition?”

I squared my shoulders, resolute. “These are our kids, Nathan. There’s nothing in the world I wouldn’t do for them."

Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to hold back his frustration. “Liv, you have to understand, I wouldn’t ever, not in a million years, agree to hand over Elliot or do anything to put him or Aurora in harm’s way.”

“I know,” I replied, softer this time, tracing a finger over Aurora’s tiny hand. “And I trust you, Nathan. But this concerns our children. Can you honestly expect me to sit at home, wringing my hands and hoping for the best?”

The room was quiet for a beat, punctuated only by the twins’ soft breathing. Nathan’s expression softened. “I know you’re scared. I am too. But bringing you, especially when...” His voice trailed off.

Especially when I had once been in a relationship with Ryan. The thought still made my skin crawl. But it was a past I couldn’t change, and maybe, in this situation, it could work to our advantage.

“Nathan, I know Ryan better than you do. We have history.” I swallowed, forcing the memories away. “Maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to talk him down, make him reconsider.”

He looked skeptical. “And how do you plan on doing that?”

I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. “I don’t know, not exactly. But Ryan used to listen to me once. Maybe he’ll do it again. I need to at least try, and I can’t do that if you leave me behind.”

Nathan’s brow furrowed. “You don’t get it, do you? Ryan is dangerous, unpredictable. What if he decides to hurt you? You’re still recovering from our accident. You’re not at full strength.”

My face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. “Don't throw that in my face, Nathan. Yes, I’m injured. Yes, I’m still healing. But pain? Pain won’t stop me. Not when it comes to protecting our children, and not when it comes to you.”

For a moment, Nathan simply stared, perhaps surprised by the fierceness in my voice. The room was thick with tension, the previous tranquility shattered.

Angela, trying to bring some semblance of calm, chimed in. “Maybe there’s a middle ground? Maybe Olivia can be there, but at a safe distance? Just in case?”

I glanced at Nathan, searching for a hint of concession in his eyes. “Angela’s right. At least let me be nearby. Ryan might listen to me. And if something goes wrong…” I swallowed hard. “I need to be there, Nathan.”

Nathan ran a hand through his hair, a habit he had when he was stressed. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, as if trying to find the right words.

“Olivia, it’s not just about your safety or the kids. It’s also about mine. If you’re there, even at a distance, and something happens to me, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you alone with Ryan.”

I bit my lip, holding back tears. “That’s exactly my point, Nathan. If he decides to hurt you, and I’m not there… I’d never forgive myself.”

Silence hung between us, heavy and suffocating. Then, slowly, Nathan’s eyes widened, realization dawning on him.