Silent Promises

The cold night air did little to soothe the burning in Olivia's chest. She had left the gala behind, but the weight of Vivian's words clung to her like a second skin. Every step she took felt unsteady, as if the ground beneath her had been yanked away.

Alexander had lied. Maybe not outright, but by omission. He had married her with ulterior motives, and that realization stung more than she could admit.

Footsteps echoed behind her, firm and unrelenting. She didn't need to turn around to know it was Alexander.

"Olivia," his voice was softer now, almost desperate. "Please, stop."

She exhaled shakily and did as he asked, but she didn't turn to face him.

"I never wanted you to find out like this," he admitted. "And not from her."

Olivia turned sharply, her eyes brimming with emotion. "Then when, Alexander? When were you planning to tell me that this marriage wasn't just about saving my family's company, but about some business feud?"

His jaw clenched. "It wasn't like that."

"Then tell me what it was like," she challenged, folding her arms.

He hesitated, and that silence was enough to send another crack through her heart.

She scoffed, shaking her head. "That's what I thought."

She turned to walk away, but Alexander stepped in front of her, his blue eyes intense. "Olivia, listen to me," he pleaded. "Yes, I married you for practical reasons at first. But things changed." He swallowed hard. "You changed everything."

Her breath hitched. "Don't do that. Don't try to fix this with pretty words when you should have been honest from the start."

"I know," he said, his voice raw. "I was scared. Of losing control. Of losing…" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "You."

The confession sent a jolt through Olivia. But she refused to let it weaken her resolve. "I trusted you, Alexander." Her voice broke slightly. "I let myself believe this—us—was real."

"It is real," he insisted, stepping closer.

She let out a humorless laugh. "How am I supposed to believe that?"

"Because I love you," he said without hesitation.

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and undeniable. Olivia's heart pounded against her ribs, but she couldn't allow herself to melt into his words. Not yet.

She inhaled deeply, and before she could get herself a chance to breathe again, Alexander locked his lips on hers. His lips were warm and soft. They parted slowly, allowing Olivia's tongue to slip into his mouth. Their bodies pressed together and heated against the wall, breathing heavily as their lips pressed together.

While in that moment Alexander could only think of what he could do not to make his heart pound, but obviously he lost it already, and next thing he heard while she was steadying herself. "Love isn't just words, Alexander. It's trust. And right now, I don't know if I can trust you."

Pain flashed across his face, but he didn't argue. Instead, he nodded, a quiet acceptance in his eyes. "Then let me prove it to you."

Olivia hesitated. She wanted to believe him. God, she wanted to believe him. But trust, once broken, wasn't easily repaired.

"I need time," she said finally.

His shoulders tensed, but he nodded. "Take whatever time you need. Just... don't shut me out completely."

She gave a small nod before turning and walking away.

Alexander let her go.

Back at the penthouse, Olivia felt the crushing weight of exhaustion settle over her. She locked herself in her bedroom, sinking onto the bed as the events of the night replayed in her mind.

Vivian had done what she set out to do—drive a wedge between her and Alexander. But was it really Vivian's fault? Or had she just forced the truth into the open?

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Olivia?" Megan's voice was muffled but laced with concern. "Can I come in?"

Sighing, Olivia got up and unlocked the door. Megan stepped inside, her expression wary.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Megan asked, sitting on the bed.

Olivia hesitated before sinking down beside her. "He told me he loves me."

Megan's eyes widened. "And?"

"And I don't know what to do with that," Olivia admitted, rubbing her temples. "I think he means it, but how can I be sure? He's hidden so much from me."

Megan exhaled. "Liv, no relationship is perfect. And yeah, what he did wasn't great, but... do you love him?"

Olivia's chest tightened. Did she?

She thought about the way he made her feel safe, seen, and wanted. She thought about the way he looked at her, like she was the only person who could break through his carefully crafted armor.

She thought about the nights they had spent talking, the stolen glances, and the way his touch sent shivers down her spine.

"Yes," she admitted quietly. "I do."

Megan smiled gently. "Then maybe it's worth fighting for."

Olivia nodded, knowing her friend was right. But love alone wasn't enough. Alexander had to earn back her trust.

The next morning, Olivia woke to the scent of coffee and something warm beside her on the nightstand. Sitting up, she found a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of toast and fruit.

Beside it was a note in Alexander's handwriting:

No expectations. No pressure. Just breakfast. -A

She stared at it for a long moment before picking up the coffee. The warmth seeped into her fingers, grounding her. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes.

Downstairs, she found Alexander in his study. He looked up as she entered, hope flickering in his eyes.

"Thank you for breakfast," she said.

He nodded, setting his pen down. "I meant what I said. No pressure. Just... taking it one step at a time."

She hesitated before stepping closer. "Then let's start with honesty. Tell me everything. About Johnson Edward, about the real reason you married me. No more secrets."

Alexander exhaled and gestured to the chair across from him. "You deserve the truth."

And so he told her everything.

About Johnson Edward's vendetta against him, about how Olivia's father had been caught in the crossfire, about how Alexander had originally seen their marriage as a way to gain leverage. But as he spoke, she could hear the regret in his voice; the way his words became heavier the more he revealed.

"I thought I was protecting you," he said finally. "But I see now that I only hurt you."

Olivia swallowed, letting everything sink in.

"Thank you for telling me," she said softly.

Alexander met her gaze. "Can you forgive me?"

She was quiet for a long moment before saying, "I don't know yet."

His expression tightened, but he nodded in understanding.

"But I'm willing to try," she added.

His shoulders relaxed slightly. "That's all I can ask for."

A knock at the door interrupted them. Claire, Alexander's assistant, poked her head in. "Mr. Cross, I just got word from security. Vivian was seen trying to get into the building."

Alexander's expression darkened. "I'll handle it."

Olivia squared her shoulders. "No. We'll handle it. Together."

Surprise flickered across Alexander's face before it was replaced by something else—proud.

As they walked toward the elevator, Olivia realized something.

This wasn't just about Alexander proving himself to her.

It was about proving to herself that she was strong enough to stand her ground.

And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she truly belonged in his world.