Page 47 of Damaged Enemy Next Door

I want to wrap my arms around her and hold her close to me, but I can't. Not with him watching. "Shh, it's okay. We'll be okay. I promise," I say.

"Together?" she asks, hopefully. "We'll be okay together?"

"We’ll figure this out, Olivia. Why don’t you take a few days to mull it over and I too will see what solution I can come up with. We can find a solution together."

I see the pain etched on her face. I know her heartstrings beat for me like mine beats for her. But sometimes, one has to make a difficult decision, and in this situation, I know that I'm the one who must because Olivia - I can tell - will fight to earth's end for me. But ... at what cost? At the cost of losing her father's trust and faith in her? I can never allow that.

So with that in mind, I mutter, "I have to go now, Olivia. I have to go."

"Will you call me tonight?" she asks, looking up at me through wet eyelashes.

"No," I say hoarsely. "I will not, and I hope you don't either. Our time will come when it comes, but tonight, we know what fate has written for us."

I hate being so difficult, but what other choice do I have? She’s spending the night at her father’s house, and right now, I feel nervous as he watches us through the window.

With a deep breath, I turn around and walk to my car. As I drive away, I can see Olivia still standing at the doorway, clutching her stomach, bent over in tears.

I can feel the ache in my chest as I drive away. It takes every ounce of restraint not to turn the car around. It's a feeling I've never experienced before. It's like I'm leaving a part of me behind. I know I have to be strong, but it's hard to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill. I can't believe how much Olivia has come to mean to me in such a short time. It's like we were meant to be together.

I drive aimlessly for a while, lost in my thoughts.

By the time I reach home, I just have one question for myself - one that makes me angry at myself.

I believed I had achieved my dreams when I became successful and rich ... but at what cost? If I could, I would give up everything I've built just to have Olivia and Emily by my side. Forever.

Something needs to change. I need to change. The company needs to change. And looking at David's reaction today, our tactics need to change. Had I suddenly become this ugly person with no regard for hard-working people? Had my greed to fulfill my dreams allowed me to turn a blind eye to everything wrong happening around me?

How could I become a traitor to the very people I had wanted to help when I dreamt all those big dreams years ago?

And now ... I am paying for my crimes by having the love of my life snatched away from me as the result of a circumstance of my own making.

CHAPTER 23

OLIVIA

Myheadhurtsfromall the crying. No matter how much I try to escape from the pain, it's as if it follows me everywhere. After what happened with my father and Adrian, nothing will ever be the same. When I think about my dad not wanting me to be with someone like him ... It hurts too much.

I toss and turn in bed all night, unable to sleep. Every time I close my eyes all I can see is Adrian's back when he walked away from me - and leaving me with a broken heart. Damn him and his honor!

The tears start flowing again, and I bury my head in the pillow so that my father can't hear me sobbing. After the emotionally taxing night I just had, I couldn't even imagine going back home to live next to the man I'm yearning for.

I hope Adrian figures this out. I don't know how I can live without him.

The next morning, I wake up early to try to make breakfast and buy myself some time to reason with my dad.

"Hi Dad," I say as I put on a fake smile and fry some eggs in the pan. "How did you sleep last night?"

"Not too well," he says, as he looks away from me at the floor. He isn't even meeting my eye. "Thanks for breakfast."

I carry on with my plan. "Remember how Mom, Grace, you, and I used to cook breakfast together on Sundays?"

He smiles for the first time since Adrian left last night. "How could I forget? Those were precious days."

"You know, Adrian's daughter and I have special moments too. We play all these cute board games on Saturdays and have ice cream after dinner on Fridays."

"What's your point?" my dad asks.

I sigh, "Emily still has so much growing up left to do and she is just as important as anyone else. I have to see her dad. I have to see Adrian."

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