Logan

"Get rid of her," my father's voice shattered the silence that had enveloped his study room. It was the early hours of the day, before breakfast had even been served. I had been summoned here urgently, and I had a feeling that this conversation was not going to be pleasant.

"What do you mean?" I asked, maintaining a calm exterior. There was no way I was going to allow Olivia to bear the brunt of my family's anger alone.

"Olivia," he spelled out her name, his tone heavy with disapproval. "You don't expect me to simply ignore this situation, do you?" I understood my father's perspective well enough. He always acted in his own best interests, making decisions that would benefit him. That's how things worked in our family. We rarely questioned him, but this time, I felt compelled to take a stand.

"She's not going anywhere," I asserted firmly. Surprise flickered across my father's face, clearly not anticipating this response from me. I was challenging his authority, and it was evident in his reaction.

"Olivia is my wife," I stated plainly, determined to stand my ground. My father's disbelief was palpable.

"She's your what?" he exclaimed, his disbelief turning into anger.

I shifted in my seat, taking a deep breath. "We got married before she came to this house."

"You must be out of your mind, Logan! You made that decision without consulting anyone in this family?"

"Would I have received a better reaction if I had consulted you first?" I countered, my tone steady.

"What a shocking news," he muttered, taking a sip of his morning tea. I remained composed, waiting for his next words. I was prepared for any reaction.

"It is indeed shocking, but I don't regret my decision. I believe it's the right thing to do, taking responsibility."

"By marrying her secretly or by indulging in a reckless affair?" he retorted, his words sharp and biting. The bitterness of his tone stung.

"I wasn't engaging in a reckless affair. I'm not like you," I responded, not holding back. I knew I was touching on a sore point.

"What are you insinuating? Watch your words. Remember your place."

A bitter chuckle escaped me. "My place? I'm the son from your second marriage, the one who always complies with your orders."

"Are you still dwelling on the past? Your mother wasn't the first or the last."

"Yes, I know. But she was the first woman you promised to marry and left hanging until you married your first wife," I said, a tinge of resentment slipping into my words. I hadn't meant to bring up that painful history, but a part of me couldn't ignore the fact that my father had neglected my mother. My mother had made me promise that I wouldn't hold a grudge against my father, and I intended to keep that promise. Yet, there were moments when I found it difficult not to blame him, to not feel the weight of the past.

Yes, my parents got divorced when I was twelve. It happened on my twelfth birthday during a heated argument between them. It was a significant fight that revealed a different side of my father, one I hadn't seen before. I witnessed him driving my mother out of the house. Despite our close bond, she couldn't leave without taking me with her. However, my father managed to gain custody of me. I pretended to be unaffected by the entire situation, putting on a facade of acceptance.

His voice brought me back from the trance in ventured into. Allowing history to repeat itself is the last thing I would want to do. Not to Olivia. "You are part of the Nero family. You should act like one. Scott and Bernard aren't complaining" he said.

"I'm different from them. You know it yourself"

"You aren't much different from your mother. You hold grudge" I clenched my jaw and looked him straight in the eye. "And you haven't changed also father. I would like it if you don't meddle in Olivia's affair. Whatever it is, I will take care of it. You don't have to worry about it affecting your company" with that, I rose up to a standing position.

As I headed toward the door, his words stopped me in my tracks. "Your pride won't change the past," he remarked. I didn't respond, simply pushing the door open and leaving the room. Seeing the strained atmosphere at the breakfast table, I decided against joining them and instead left the house altogether.

How long are we going to be living in a bond less environment? I know we both have different mothers but getting along won't hurt. The liveliness in the house is not there. Father is not making an effort to make the change. And Olivia trying to do that isn't bad also. They just don't want to embrace the change.

I made a walk upstairs instead. I stopped at Olivia's door. The sudden need to see her face first thing in the morning grew inside me. From yesterday she had been an earful. Giving me a hard time. I had gone to pick her up from her clinic, she lashed out on me saying she didn't asked me to come. Like, the least she could do was appreciate my offer to drive her back home. I left my work just to see her. But I understood that pregnancy hormones could take a toll on one's emotions.

I rapped my knuckles on the door and cleared my throat, waiting for her response. Silence greeted me. "Olivia?" I called again, only to be met with continued silence. I twisted the doorknob and entered, finding an empty room. Panic flared up in me momentarily before I noticed her belongings still in place. "Thank goodness," I exhaled in relief. She must have left for the clinic early. It was as if she worked a regular office job with her dedication. I cast a final glance around the room before leaving the room.

My car came to a stop in front of Olivia's clinic. It was high time she hears what I had to say. She had left the house without waiting for me this time. I switched off the engine and stepped out of the car. Olivia appeared to be engrossed in grooming a puppy, completely oblivious to my presence. Folding my arms across my chest, I stood there, gazing at the woman who had stolen my breath away. She was the one who occupied every corner of my mind and had somehow managed to sneak her way into my heart without even realizing it.

"Mr..." I gestured to Lisa, catching her attention.

Lisa's eyes shifted to Olivia, and I motioned for her to stay quiet. With a smile still playing on my lips, I leisurely walked toward Olivia, my steps purposeful. Her back was turned towards me, fully engaged in her task. I positioned myself behind her, allowing a mischievous grin to creep onto my face.

"Next time, try to be more aware of your surroundings," I whispered softly.

Her sudden reaction was amusing. "What! Oh my God!"

"Did I startle you?" I inquired, barely containing my amusement. Olivia shot me an annoyed glance.

"You practically scared the life out of me. What were you thinking, sneaking up on me like that?" she scolded.

"Sneaking? I was just standing here," I retorted with a chuckle.

"Yes. I'm working here. Lisa, please take the dog back to his area," she instructed Lisa, her irritation evident. Lisa led the dog away, and Olivia turned to walk in the opposite direction, heading towards the backyard. I followed suit.

"Olivia, come on," I began, my tone slightly teasing. I was genuinely glad to see her, and all I wanted was a warm reception.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Seriously, Logan?"

This was the first time I had really explored her clinic. I hadn't realized there was a backyard. It was interesting to see another side of her world.

"You startled me. Don't you know it's not good for the baby?" I couldn't help but smile at her adorable pout. Taking a step forward, I closed the distance between us.

"Why did you leave the house so early without waiting for me?" I asked, and she instinctively took a step back, prompting me to step forward again.

"I have a lot of work to do today. I don't usually inform you when I'm leaving," she replied. Her actions and words were charmingly stubborn. You're whipped, Logan.

"I understand. But I do miss you," I confessed. Her eyes widened briefly, only to be replaced by a blush that painted her cheeks. Her head lowered, and I gently lifted her face to meet my gaze. "I want to wake up to your face in the morning," I added, running my thumb over her cheek. The blush intensified, and it was utterly endearing.

"Well... you should've come to my room before I left," she teased.

"Maybe we should just move in together—"

"What?" She quickly covered my mouth with her hand. "Why would you say that?"

I gently removed her hand. "Isn't it like we're doing something bad. We are married. I have the right to suggest that, don't I?" I said playfully. However, I noticed a change in her expression.

"What's wrong?" I asked, searching her eyes for any hint of what was bothering her. And then, unexpectedly, her eyes welled up with tears. "Damn, Olivia, what is it?"

She shook her head, taking a step back, but I didn't allow her to retreat. I held onto her gently. "It's nothing. I'm fine," she managed to say, her voice shaky.

"No, you're not. You can't be in tears and tell me it's nothing. Please talk to me," I urged, cupping her face and staring into her eyes, concerned.

"I don't know. Just kiss me," she finally said, her words tinged with a mix of emotions. I didn't waste another second; I pressed my lips to hers. Sometimes, a kiss was the best way to communicate without words.