After he spoke, Theo's eyes lingered on Olivia's face, tracing the shock in her gaze and the sweep of her lashes. His throat moved as he swallowed.
Closing the distance, he pushed her further against the wall, then bent down and captured her lips.
Olivia turned her head at once, trying to avoid him, but his grip held her steady. There was no room to escape.
A spark of resistance flashed in her eyes. Without hesitation, she sank her teeth into his lower lip.
A sharp sound left him as he pulled back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Blood streaked across his fingers.
When their eyes met again, there was no anger in his expression. Instead, something lighter flickered there. A quiet laugh slipped out. "Olivia... you've got a vicious streak."
He moved closer again, but something made him pause. A slight crease had formed between her brows, and his attention shifted downward. The bandage on her hand had darkened, fresh blood seeping through from the struggle.
The amusement faded from his face. Without speaking, he reached for her uninjured hand.
She tried to pull away, but his breath brushed near her ear, his tone firm. "You don't want to ruin that hand to the point you can't play the accordion again, do you? I'm taking you to have it treated."
The words made her hesitate. The tension left her raised hand, and the fight drained from her. In the end, she let him guide her without resisting.
Not long after, the birthday gathering came to an end. Guests slowly began to leave.
Outside, rain fell heavily. Sitting in her wheelchair, Jennifer looked uneasy. "Theo... it's raining hard out there."
Her gaze dropped for a moment, landing on her legs.
Theo's voice softened instantly. "Don't head out in this weather. There are enough rooms here. Stay for the night."
Moisture gathered in Jennifer's eyes. "Thank you, Theo."
That brief exchange between them made something twist inside Olivia. The emotion rose fast, pressing against her chest.
So it wasn't a misunderstanding. His attention had always been on Jennifer.
From the side, Vernon caught the shift in Olivia's face. A quiet sigh passed through him before he spoke, his tone firm. "Theo. You and Olivia will stay in the master suite tonight. Neither of you is leaving."
Theo started to speak. "Jennifer—"
Before he could finish, Vernon waved him off and pushed Olivia and him toward the room. "Go get some rest. Jennifer's not helpless. The staff can take care of her."
Theo tried to argue, but one look from Vernon made him stop.
From her spot, Jennifer watched them go, her jaw tightening as her hands curled against her palms.
As soon as they stepped into the bedroom, a maid followed with two glasses of milk.
Keeping her voice low, she said, "Mr. Vernon Harvey asked me to bring these. He said it would help you sleep."
"Tell him thank you," Olivia muttered, taking one glass and sipping from it.
Without a second thought, Theo finished half of his.
Once the maid left, Olivia turned to him, her tone cold. "I'll sleep on the sofa. You can take the bed."
Heading for the sofa, Olivia barely made a step before Theo grabbed her wrist. "Olivia, we need to talk. Things with Jennifer aren't what you're thinking."
Her expression didn't change. "I don't care what it is."
Holding her gaze, he asked quietly, "Do you really want to end this?"
"I do."
The answer had just left her lips when he pulled her into his arms, letting out a breath. "There's nothing going on between me and her. I mean it."
She pushed against him, trying to break free, but his grip only tightened.
"Do you really think I'd believe that?" Her voice shook. "I want a divorce!"
To cut her off, he leaned in and kissed her.
Olivia struggled, trying to push him away, but something caught her attention. His skin looked flushed, and sweat had started to gather along his temples. Heat radiated from him.
Before she could react, he guided her to the bed, pressing close as he buried his face near her neck, drawing in a shaky breath. "Olivia... I've missed you."
His lips moved along her skin, restless and unsteady.
Her thoughts stalled. What was wrong with him? She tried again to push him away—Then she realized it.
The milk.
She barely had time to react before he claimed her lips again, forceful and unrelenting.
"Theo, stop—let me go!" she managed to say, her breath uneven.
Instead of pulling back, he silenced her again, not giving her the chance to continue.
Her resistance seemed to provoke him further. His fingers caught her chin, his voice low and heated. "Was this your doing? Did you plan this? Isn't this what you wanted?"
Warmth rushed to Olivia's face, her thoughts slipping out of order.
A strange heat spread through her, settling deep and hard to ignore.
What made it worse was the truth she couldn't deny—her feelings for him hadn't disappeared.
She met his gaze, seeing the intensity in his eyes, something raw beneath the anger. Her strength began to falter. Slowly, her hands lifted and rested around his neck. The struggle faded. She stopped pushing him away.
Just this once. Only this time.
The air between them grew heavy. Whatever had taken hold of Theo only made it stronger, his breathing turning uneven. One hand stayed low against her, while the other moved without restraint.
Beneath him, Olivia stayed still, her face flushed, her eyes unfocused.
Right when everything reached its peak—a sudden knock broke through the silence.
A dangerous edge took over Theo's face. "Not now," he responded sharply. "Leave us alone."
From outside, a soft voice came through, shaking slightly. "Theo? It's me... My leg really hurts. Could you... help me get some painkillers?"
Everything in Theo went still. His breathing remained uneven, rising and falling hard. The heat from the drug still coursed through him, yet Jennifer's voice cut through it.
He shut his eyes for a moment, then forced himself to pull away from Olivia.
Lying there, Olivia watched him—his body tense, sweat clinging to his skin, yet his attention already shifting toward the door for someone else. Reaching out, she caught his wrist and spoke in a low, strained voice. "Theo... you're leaving? Right now?"
