Chapter 5 Paying the Price

The moment Lucia appeared, Olivia noticed her.

That flimsy silk nightdress, the way their eyes lingered on each other… Olivia's stomach churned violently. Disgust clawed at her throat.

It took every ounce of willpower not to retch. Now, hearing Austin's words, she found herself more than willing to comply.

Her gaze vacant, Olivia nodded, rising from the couch and letting her phone slip unnoticed into the crevice between the cushions. "Fine. I'm a little tired anyway. I'll lie down upstairs."

Her bedroom was on the second floor, which meant she'd have to pass Lucia.

Lucia didn't step aside. Instead, she leaned lazily against the banister, deliberately tugging at the front of her already revealing bra.

Austin's throat bobbed. He shot her a warning glare before striding forward to block Olivia's path, dragging Lucia away from the railing.

Lucia rolled her eyes and flounced onto the sofa.

Olivia blinked. "Austin?"

He rushed to steady her, smiling. "Careful with the steps. Let me help you up."

"All right."

Olivia's lips curved faintly as she allowed him to escort her to her room. "I'll rest now. Go take care of your work."

Austin nodded absently, closing the door behind him and hurrying away.

Once he was gone, Olivia's smile vanished. She snatched a packet of wet wipes from her vanity and scrubbed at every place Austin had touched her. Within minutes, the packet was empty and her hands were raw and red.

She drew in a deep breath, biting the inside of her tongue until pain sharpened her focus.

She had to endure.

Downstairs, Austin and Lucia were locked in a frenzied kiss, her lipstick smeared into a stain at the corner of their mouths.

"You're insane! She's still in the house!" Austin's voice was breathless, but his hands didn't stop.

Lucia knew his weaknesses far too well. Smiling wickedly, she looped her arms around his neck. "So what? She's blind. And besides… that's what makes it exciting."

Austin crushed his mouth to hers.

Just as things were about to spiral out of control, Austin's phone rang.

Lucia clung to him, urging him to ignore it, but he surprised her with the sudden clarity in his eyes. He shoved her away and answered.

"Yes. I understand. I'll be there right away."

His face darkened. "Horizon Innovations Group just lost several major clients to a competitor. I need to check it out."

Lucia's expression tightened. "What happened?"

Austin shook his head. "Not sure yet. I won't be able to drive you home tonight. Leave quietly—don't alert her."

He straightened his clothes, pausing to give her one last warning. "Don't provoke Olivia. She's always suspicious."

Lucia scoffed. Olivia was just a blind woman. What was there to fear? She'd been the mistress of this house for so long, and Olivia hadn't suspected a thing.

The memory of Olivia's humiliation earlier that morning stirred something venomous in her.

"Fine. Let's see how clever you really are," she murmured.

Lucia smirked, slamming the door hard enough to stir Olivia upstairs.

"Ms. Smith? Ms. Smith, are you home?" she called sweetly, strolling to Olivia's door.

Inside, Olivia frowned and felt for the handle. "You are…?"

"Ms. Smith, I'm a friend of Austin's. He had to rush to the office, so he asked me to look after you."

Her voice was honey, but Olivia could see the malice behind her smile.

"Is that so? Funny, he didn't mention you. What's your name?"

"Just call me Mandy." Lucia stepped closer, but Olivia immediately moved back.

Lucia's smile faltered. "Ms. Smith?"

"I'm sorry. I don't like people I don't know getting too close. If you have something to say, just say it."

Lucia's lips twitched. "Ms. Smith, Austin told me you haven't had dinner yet. Let me help you downstairs."

Her tone softened, feigning concern. "Please… he asked me to do this. Won't you help me out?"

Olivia's stomach churned again. The woman was still wearing the same nightdress she'd been in while with Austin, and now she was pretending to be caring.

Olivia bit the inside of her cheek until the taste of blood filled her mouth, forcing back the urge to vomit.

"All right. Thank you for the trouble."

She smiled gently, refusing the offered arm. "Don't worry. I'm used to walking on my own."

Lucia didn't mind. She withdrew her hand, watching Olivia feel her way toward the stairs.

Just as Olivia reached the landing, Lucia's eyes gleamed with malice. She stuck out her leg, blocking Olivia's path.

'Let's see if the blind woman survives the fall,' she thought.

But Olivia's foot twisted unexpectedly. She stumbled forward—not toward the stairs, but directly into the lounging Lucia.

Before Lucia could react, her world flipped. She tumbled down the staircase, screaming.

As her cries echoed through the house, a flicker of satisfaction crossed Olivia's lips before she schooled her expression into worry. "Mandy! Are you all right?"

The only answer was a wail. "My foot! It's broken!"

Olivia leaned over the railing, her face concerned. "Don't be afraid. I'll call Austin right now."

She hurried down, and as she passed the writhing Lucia, she "accidentally" stepped hard on her injured leg.

Lucia shrieked, glaring at Olivia. "What the hell are you doing?"

Olivia flinched, turning her empty gaze toward a random spot. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!"

She walked to the sofa, picked up her phone, and quietly ended the recording she'd started earlier.

Then, speaking to the device's voice assistant, she said, "Call Austin."

Austin arrived quickly.

He took in the sight of Lucia on the sofa, disheveled and clutching her foot, and Olivia sitting nearby, tense and pale. His scalp prickled instantly.

"Austin, you're back!"