Page 75 of His Cruel Billionaire Scorecard

She felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. The man she cared for was slipping away right before her eyes. She wiped away her tears, her voice resigned.

“Is that all?”

A few meters away from them, a dove flew into the empty skatepark and cooed at the two estranged lovers. Roman looked away and at the bird, granite in his eyes.

After a while, Olivia said, “Do whatever you want, Roman. If this is what you think is best, then go ahead.”

“I think that’s for the best…. goodbye Olivia, you don’t have to speak to me at work, I’ll make sure we’re as removed from each other as much as possible until you’re comfortable enough.”

As she watched Roman walk away and vanish from sight, Olivia felt her legs give way under her, and she sank to the ground, consumed by heart-wrenching sobs.

The weight of the situation crashed down on her, threatening to suffocate her with its intensity. She reached for her phone, shaking her fingers and dialing Avery’s number.

“Avery,” she choked out between sobs when her friend answered the call. “Please, I need you. Can you come and get me?”

Avery’s voice was instant concern and urgency. “Olivia, what happened? Where are you?”

Olivia struggled to steady her voice; her words interspersed with heavy breaths. “I’m at the skate park... please, just come as soon as you can. I don’t know what to do.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes. Hold on, Olivia.”

As Olivia hung up the phone, she clutched it tightly against her chest. The dove cooed and flapped its wings, taking off and leaving Olivia in the empty park.

Minutes felt like an eternity as Olivia sat on the cold ground, her tears staining her cheeks. She felt a mix of emotions coursing through her - anger, heartbreak, confusion - all merging into an overwhelming sense of loss. Her world had been turned upside down in an instant. Why did she sleep with him? Why did she ever accept to be an intern? Where was Avery?

Finally, Avery’s car pulled up, and Olivia stumbled to her feet, her phone clattering to the floor.

Avery rushed out of the car and gathered Olivia in a tight, comforting embrace.

“I’m here, Liv,” Avery whispered. “You don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll get through it together.”

“It’s just, this wasn’t meant to happen,” she sobbed into Avery’s shirt, fresh tears staining her friend’s blouse.

“I know honey, I know,” Avery shushed her, running a hand through her hair.

“It was just supposed to be a little fun. I got into my feelings for a billionaire. Who was I kidding? He has thousands of women lined up for him at the snap of his fingers, yet I fell for him. I’m so stupid.”

“That doesn’t mean you are stupid. It only means you’re human. I mean, take a look at the man. He’s a total package.”

Olivia laughed a little and sniffed.

“You don’t have to tell me that.”

“Come on, let’s get in my car and stop for some cheeseburgers on the way. You can cry about it in the car, I’ll put on your favorite band and we can get shitty wine and you can rant all about it in my place. You can even sleep over.”

Olivia straightened, grateful. “You’re sure this isn’t a problem? It sounds like you left something.”

“Only an after-party I didn’t want to attend. I’m grateful you gave me a legitimate reason to leave.”

Olivia chuckled, “Thank you, I’m grateful.”

Avery helped her up, and she turned on the music in her car.

As they drove away from the skate park, Olivia glanced back at where she had fallen into Roman’s arms. Her favorite place to be is now associated with painful memories.

***

The atmosphere at the Velvet Lounge was heavy with tension as Roman sat at a table with his friends, Allen and Thompson. The usually lively conversations and laughter were replaced by an awkward silence. Roman’s foul mood was palpable, and it seemed to seep into every corner of the room.

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