Page 33 of Forbidden Obsessions

Mia hasn’t uttered a single word since before we left. Olivia told me about her and Matt ending things—both real and fake. Putting myself in Matt’s shoes, I would want to know. Word of what happened has likely gotten around by now. Fuck it. I type out a text to Matt.

Tomas: I have Mia with me and Olivia. We’re at Cambridge General, the ER. Mia’s pretty battered. You might want to come see her.

The whole Emergency Department turns their stares toward us.I haven’t looked in a mirror recently, but I imagine I look how I feel: tired, numb, angry, hollow, and most of all, guilty.

Once again, my poor decisions equated to hurting Olivia.

“Hamilton,” a nurse calls. We both stand. The nurse looks between the two of us. “She needs to be evaluated alone.”

I open my mouth to protest, then shut it. Olivia doesn’t need me creating additional drama. She gives me a peck on the cheek before following the nurse to triage.

Minutes after Olivia heads back, Matt storms into the emergency room. Mia doesn’t even look back at the commotion. His eyes light up when he spots her, then crumples as he takes in her expression. Her black lace and tulle ball gown are torn. Streaks of blood mat her hair and her arm. I’m not sure if it’s hers or Olivia’s.

“Mia,” he says in a tortured cry before falling at her feet. Her gaze drifts lower to meet his. I try to give the pair some privacy and pretend not to eavesdrop. The air is thick with tension; so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Mia looks at him blankly for a long while before her lower lip wobbles and she falls apart in his arms.

Matt gently lowers Mia to his lap on the floor, holding her against him. “I’m sorry,” she stammers against him.

His arms tighten. “Me too, Mia. Me too.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket.Fuck.I forgot I still had Olivia’s phone. “Lex is fine. She’s with Dagny. Whoever that is.” Mia gives a small smile, so I take it as good news.

—scene break—

“Wake up,” Olivia says, jostling me. The sun is up. My eyes look over at the empty chairs next to me. Guess Matt took Mia home.Good.

“Ready to get out of here?” I ask, stretching my stiff limbs and fishing my keys out of my pocket.

Olivia gives me a terse nod. I know it’s been a long night, likely the worst of her life. Her careful reactions and overwhelming silence are making me uneasy, though. I didn’t expect sunshine and roses, but some affection—reassurance, I guess—would be nice.

I help Olivia into my passenger seat and start to drive. “What did they say?” I ask cautiously.

“Laceration and deep bruising. It’ll be sore. I’ll be fine,” she tells me flatly.

“Matt came and got Mia,” I say with a smile. She nods again. The silence and unshakable feeling that the other shoe is about to drop threatens to suffocate me.

I’m about five minutes from the house when she clears her throat. “Please take me to the apartment,” she demands. The pressure on my chest crushes me a little more.

“Okay.” There’s nothing worth arguing. I was an accomplice in hiding something immensely important from her. As if that wasn’t enough, I almost got her killed. She deserves space to think. I deserve to be alone.

The second I pull into the parking spot, she flings her door open. “Olivia,” I call weakly, unsure of what I can say. She turns, tears welling in her eyes. My heart shatters. I did this to her. I did this toVanessa.

“Are we… over?” I can barely utter the words.

“No.” She shakes her head, looking at me earnestly. She wipes her eyes on the sleeve of her dress, wincing as she brushes her face. “No, Tomas, but I need time. I’m sad and betrayed. I’m gutted about Mom. About Vanessa, too. I’m horrified for Mia,” she says quietly.

I swallow thickly. “Take as much time as you need. I’ll be here to pick you up the second you’re ready to come home.”

“Thank you.” She squeezes my hand gently.

“I love you,” I remind her, kissing her knuckles.

“I love you, too.” She gets out, shutting the door softly behind her. She walks away, taking my heart with her.

My drive home is too quiet. Olivia is front and center in my mind, but I can’t help but wonder about Vanessa, too. Was the gunshot that erupted after we left by her hand or Nathan’s?

I park, then freeze in place as I climb the stairs of the front steps. Vanessa gives me a sad smile. Her blond hair is a tousled and mangled mess of waves. Dark circles frame her face, whileher eyes border on downright bloodshot. She looks worn out. Aren’t we all?

I break the silence first. “I owe you an apology. I’ve scorned and single-handedly blamed you since it happened, Vanessa. I’m sorry.”

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