Chapter 6 How Does She Have the House Key?

Olivia turned her head toward the voice at the door, her hands reaching out in a frantic search. Austin hurried forward and caught her before she stumbled.

"It's me. What happened here?"

"It's my fault… I didn't mean to, but I made Mandy fall down the stairs. It's all on me." Tears slipped down Olivia's cheeks, her eyes rimmed red, her body trembling almost imperceptibly as she leaned into Austin's chest like a frightened child.

Lucia, who had been about to speak, froze. The corner of her mouth curled in a bitter smirk. All the outrage she'd been preparing dissolved into a mocking drawl. "Forget it. Don't blame Ms. Smith. She can't see, after all."

Austin shot her a warning glare.

Olivia seemed oblivious. She dabbed at her eyes with shaking fingers. "It's my fault. I shouldn't be wandering around… Austin…"

Seeing her so small and guilt-ridden, Austin could only hold her tighter. "It's not your fault. Let me handle it, alright, Olivia?"

She nodded timidly, then hesitated as if a thought had just struck her. "Austin… how come you never mentioned Mandy before? And how did she get a key to the house? Did you give it to her?"

"Of course not." The denial came almost reflexively.

Lucia's eyes flicked toward him.

Olivia's brow furrowed. "Without a key, how did she get in?"

A bead of sweat broke along Austin's hairline. "I ran into her on my way out. I remembered you were home alone, so I asked her to keep you company."

"Really?" Olivia's voice was soft, almost too calm. "What a coincidence."

"Mandy said she's your friend, but I've never heard you mention her. Are you two close?"

"No. Just acquaintances."

Austin pieced together enough from her questions to realize Lucia had lied, and he shot her another sharp look.

Lucia gestured at her injured foot, but Austin's tone turned cold. "Mandy, you're going to see a doctor, right? Then I won't be driving you."

Lucia glared at Olivia, still nestled in Austin's arms, but didn't push further. Limping, she left without another word.

Bitch. Blind bitch. One day, she'd make her pay.

When the door closed, Austin exhaled, his voice softening. "Olivia, you must be shaken. Want to rest in your room?"

She nodded, weary.

In the bedroom, Austin helped her lie down. "I'll have the housekeeper make some porridge and bring you milk later. It'll help you calm down."

Olivia's lips curved in a tender smile. "I'm lucky you're here. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. I should apologize to Mandy sometime."

Austin's smile faltered. "Don't worry. I'll explain to her."

Olivia's expression shifted. She reached under herself and pulled out a lace bra. "What's this?"

Austin's pupils contracted sharply.

Her fingers traced the fabric. "Lace…? Austin, I don't own anything like this."

He knew she didn't. It was Lucia's.

He forced a cough, trying to steady his voice. "I bought it for you. Do you like it?"

"Oh… thank you. But the size seems wrong." Her gaze lifted, innocent yet probing. "Austin, did you forget my size?"

Before he could answer, she rose and walked toward the wardrobe. "You're so forgetful. Look—this is my size."

Her hand moved over her own lingerie, then stopped on clothes that weren't hers.

"When did I buy these?"

Austin's throat tightened. He crossed the room quickly. "Women's clothes aren't my expertise. Maybe you bought them before."

"No." Her tone was firm. "The fabric, the cut… they're not my style. I'd never buy something so…" She paused, searching for the word. "…cheap. Trashy."

Austin's heart skipped. He stared into her eyes—empty, unfocused as always.

"Maybe my assistant messed up. Since you lost your sight, he's been the one shopping for you. He's a man; he wouldn't know."

Olivia pouted. "Useless."

"Forget it. Throw them out. I don't like any of them."

"Alright. Whatever you want." Austin watched her quietly. "Olivia, I need to check on something at Horizon Innovations Group. Rest for now, okay?"

"Go. Work comes first." She smiled sweetly, but her mind was already turning. She'd seen the suspicion in his eyes. Good. Let him stew in it.

Her gaze swept over the wardrobe one last time before she shut the door and picked up her phone.

The recording was still running. Austin and Lucia's voices were unmistakable—breathless, intimate.

"When are you going to divorce her?"

"What, do you actually like that blind woman? Planning to keep her forever?"

"What's wrong with how things are now? You little slut."

"Austin! Tell me straight—are you really going to let me be the other woman forever?"

Austin's tone was impatient. "Everyone knows she saved my life. If I divorced her, people would spit in my face. And it's not like you're losing—she can't see, she's often in the hospital. You're basically the lady of the house.

"Don't start drama. Be good."

The rest was filth Olivia didn't care to hear. Her face was blank, her heart hollow.

Later, Austin got another call from Horizon Innovations Group. Olivia listened closely. Sounded like things inside his company weren't stable—someone had made a serious move against him.

He always found new ways to prove his worthlessness. Good thing she'd stopped expecting anything long ago.

She saved the recording and sent it to Brian. She was about to log out when a friend request popped up.

Just one name: Brandon.

She froze. How did he get her Facebook?

After a few seconds' hesitation, she accepted.

The chat opened, but there was no follow-up—just his single message: [I'm Brandon.]

She tapped his profile picture: an untouched glacier under a pale sky. His Facebook was empty.

"Boring choice for an avatar," she murmured, closing it.