Logan

I sounded my fist on Olivia's door while waiting for her to open up. I'm running late. And after what she told me last night, we have to be cautious. My family shouldn't know about it. I have to warn her to be careful. "Oliv-"

And then the door swung open, revealing Olivia in her sleep-rumpled state. I don't know if the rules have been explained to her. "Good morning," she muffled out, yawning. I walked past her into the room, a sense of urgency driving my words.

"We have to be careful," I started, my tone serious. "Last night, you mentioned that Amelia knows about your pregnancy. It's crucial that we keep this information hidden from the rest of the family. They can't find out."

Olivia regained her composure, her eyes meeting mine in disbelief. "You should have informed me that your sister-in-law is a doctor. I wouldn't have agreed to come to your house if I knew that."

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "That doesn't matter now. What's done is done. The point is, you need to know how to behave around my family."

"What are you trying to say? That I run my mouth to Amelia?" Olivia's voice held a mix of anger and hurt.

"That's not what I meant," I replied, my tone softer now, realizing the impact of my words. "I just want you to be careful, Olivia. We can't afford any slip-ups that could expose our secret."

She looked at me, her expression hardened. "When you took me to your bed, did you ever think about the consequences? Just because I'm carrying your baby doesn't mean I'll blindly abide by every rule. I'm here for my baby, not for your family or you."

Her words hit me like a blow, and frustration welled up within me. I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. "Let's just drop this discussion for now," I said, my voice tinged with exhaustion. "You should get some rest."

I turned to leave, not bothering to close the door fully. But before I could step away, her voice reached my ears. "I'm not sick."

Her words lingered in the air, carrying a weight of defiance and self-assurance. It struck a chord within me, reminding me that she was more than just a bearer of my child. She was an individual with her own strength and determination.

I closed my eyes briefly, letting her words sink in. Despite our differences, we shared a connection through our unborn child, and it was my responsibility to support her in this journey.

As I made my way to the car, my brother Liam approached me. "Logan, can I join you on the ride today?"

"I don't remember us sharing cars before. You have yours. I'm running late" I replied firmly, emphasizing that we each had our own vehicles. I didn't have the time or energy to entertain his company at the moment.

Liam seemed taken aback by my response but nodded understandingly. "Alright, no problem. Catch you later, then," he said with a shrug before heading towards his own car. I watched him go, feeling a mix of relief and unease.

With Liam out of the picture, I entered my car and started the engine, my mind still preoccupied with the discussion I had with Olivia. It was becoming increasingly clear that things were not going to be as easy as I had initially thought.

I entered my office, shutting the door behind me, seeking a moment of solitude. The room was adorned with pictures of my family, a constant reminder of the responsibilities and expectations that came with being a part of the Nero household. The weight of those expectations now felt even heavier with Olivia's presence in my life.

A knock sounded on the door followed by the appearance of Abigail with a stack of papers in her hand. She dropped them on the desk. "Good morning Mr. Logan"

"Morning Abigail"

She knew my routines well and began updating me on the day's schedule, her voice carrying a professional tone that helped ground me.

"First on the agenda, you have a meeting with the Johnsons at 10 a.m. to discuss the new project proposal," Abigail informed me, her voice cutting through the mental chaos. I nodded, absorbing the details, although my mind kept wandering back to Olivia and the challenges we faced.

"Then, at 12 p.m., you have a conference call with the marketing team to go over the campaign strategy," Abigail continued, her efficiency a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. The call was essential, but my mind remained preoccupied.

"And-"

"Just leave the schedule. I will figure the rest out myself" I said dismissing her. Her eyes danced with curiosity but she dared not to question me.

As she left my office, leaving me to my thoughts. I leaned back in my chair, the weight of responsibility bearing down on me once again.

I knew I needed to reach out to Olivia later in the day. We had to have a calm and honest conversation to address our differences and ensure our actions aligned for the sake of our child. But for now, I had to compartmentalize my personal concerns and focus on the tasks at hand. Pushing Olivia and our relationship to the back of my mind, I straightened up in my chair and immersed myself in the work that awaited me. The demands of the day loomed large, and I had to find a way to navigate both my professional responsibilities and the delicate path I was treading in my personal life.

The rest of the day flew by in a whirlwind of work and outdoor meetings. As I finally arrived back home, I entered the dining room to find my family already seated at the table. I exchanged a brief greeting with my father before taking my designated seat. Our eyes briefly met, but Olivia quickly looked away, and a pang of sadness tugged at my heart.

Soon, I felt Scott's gaze on me, his eyes filled with unspoken questions. I knew exactly what he was referring to. The tension was palpable, threatening to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere we once enjoyed.

"Do you have something to say to me?" I spoke up, meeting Scott's gaze directly, fully aware of the underlying tension between us.

"I just can't seem to understand why she's here," Scott replied, his tone laced with frustration and confusion.

I sighed inwardly, knowing this conversation had the potential to spiral into yet another heated debate. "Are we talking about this again? Thought we're supposed to enjoy the meal and focus on our business"

"No one is saying we shouldn't focus on our meals, but Scott has a point. How can we have any privacy or discuss matters freely with a stranger present?" Sarah chimed in, her words tinged with annoyance.

My gaze involuntarily shifted to Olivia once more, capturing the sadness etched in her eyes. "Let's just eat," I interjected, my voice firm yet tinged with a hint of exhaustion.

"But-" my stepmother began, only to be cut off by my father's intervention. "Linda, let's eat," he asserted, his voice carrying a tone that brooked no argument.

The room fell into a heavy silence as we all reluctantly focused on our plates. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air, casting a shadow over the once warm and inviting atmosphere of our family meals.

At some point, my body went weak as I watched Olivia excuse herself from the dining table. I wasted no time in following her, desperate to console her. "Don't take what they said to heart," I uttered, trying to catch up to her.

She abruptly stopped in her tracks, and my heart sank as I saw the tears welling up in her eyes. "What do you want me to do? They're clearly mocking me," she said, her voice filled with pain and frustration. I took a step closer, wanting to offer her comfort, but she raised her hand, signaling for me to stay away. "Please stay where you are. I don't need your sympathy. I'm exhausted from today's ordeal," she added, her voice trembling.

As she turned to make her way to her room, my determination grew. I couldn't bear the thought of her feeling this way, and I knew we had to resolve the mounting tensions between us and my family. Before she could unlock the door, I reached out and gently held her hand. Her eyes glanced down at our joined hands, and I instinctively withdrew mine, unsure of how to proceed.

"Look, I didn't bring you here so my family could make you feel bad. I know it's complicated, but you have to understand that I brought you here to take responsibility," I said earnestly, my voice filled with sincerity.

"Responsibility? I'm fed up with hearing that, Logan. At this point, I feel like you're a liar," she exclaimed, her words striking a chord deep within me.

I stood there, wide-eyed, unable to comprehend her accusation. "L... liar?" I stuttered, feeling a mix of disbelief and hurt coursing through me.

Her gaze held a fiery determination as she met my eyes. "If you're not a liar, then prove it to me. Show me what you can do. Remember, we signed the marriage agreement. This isn't just about your reputation anymore. Prove to me that you can be a good father to your child," she challenged, her words resonating with both defiance and vulnerability.

I was completely stunned, my mind racing to find the right words to respond. But before I could gather my thoughts, she spoke again, her tone resolute. "Oh, and I'm resuming work tomorrow. Make the necessary preparations. Because it seems like your family is interested in knowing what kind of life I lead," she declared firmly.

With those final words, she shut the door flat in my face, leaving me standing outside her room, bewildered and filled with a mixture of emotions. Her outburst had caught me off guard, and I realized that the challenges ahead were far greater than I had anticipated. As her words echoed in my mind, I vowed to prove to her that I could be the father our child deserved.

With a heavy sigh, I turned away from the closed door, knowing that my problems are far from over. It was clear that there were still hurdles to overcome.