Alexander’s POV

After searching for her for so long, I ruined everything at the first chance I got and drove her away.

I had dreamed of this moment—seeing Olivia again. I’d rehearsed in front of the mirror, choosing words that wouldn’t hurt her, preparing myself carefully. But the moment I saw her, my mind unraveled.

My heart pounded wildly, and I couldn’t form coherent thoughts, let alone speak them. I wanted to say her name, beg for forgiveness, tell her how I felt. I should’ve been kinder, gentler, but all I did was scare her off.

Again.

If there was a God, He was punishing me in the cruelest way for the pain I caused her. Five years had passed, and I was a wreck, while Olivia had proven herself a warrior. She’d turned her life around, conquered her world.

She was more beautiful now than in the cherished memories I held of her, so self-assured and radiant. I felt insignificant beside her. She’d risen from the ashes despite everything. I admired Olivia Thompson.

“I don’t want you anymore,” I’d told her, casting her out of my life. “Just sign the divorce papers and disappear.” But I paid dearly for those words.

What could I do, Olivia Thompson? How could I make you love me again?

“Are you going to keep running from me, Olivia? How long will you run?” I shouted as she stormed out, feeling utterly powerless to change the situation.

I’d failed her again, squandering my first chance to make things right.

Fury overwhelmed me. In a fit of rage, I swept the glasses, plates, and cutlery off the table with my arm, sending them crashing to the floor in a deafening clatter. “You need to calm down, sir,” Dr. Rivera urged as I seethed.

“What the hell was that?” Ethan asked, startled by the chaos I’d caused. Olivia had just left the restaurant. “My deepest apologies, Mr. Vaughn. My partner isn’t feeling well today, which must explain her behavior. I know you’re upset, but please reconsider,” he pleaded, advocating for Olivia and their project.

“Just leave!” I snapped, and he quickly stood and hurried out. I sank heavily into my chair, a sharp pain piercing my heart. The anguish was unbearable.

In my car, I grabbed my phone and called Nathan, who picked up on the second ring. “I saw her, Nathan,” I said the moment he answered. There was no sign of Olivia or Ethan in the parking lot—they must’ve already left.

“Really? How is she?” he asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

“Oh, stop playing dumb. I know you still talk to her,” I said after a heavy sigh.

“Alright, I’ll admit it,” he said.

“And you never told me anything,” I accused.

“Because it wasn’t my place. You know Olivia didn’t want you to know where she was. Why would I betray her trust?”

“Because you’re my friend.”

“I’m your friend, sure, but I’m hers too. I respected her wishes. Besides, I didn’t want Grace to be furious with me for spilling the beans,” he explained. I sighed, signaling my driver to start the car.

“Fine.”

“But tell me, how did you find her after all this time?” he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

“I thought she’d left the country, hating me so much she’d want to get as far away as possible. I searched for her in Europe, Asia, South America—nothing. Then I checked other states—still nothing.

I even thought she might be dead. But by chance, her name popped up on a list from one of my subsidiaries. I’d been searching for her so obsessively that my mind kept scanning for her name, even when I wasn’t trying.”

Nathan laughed. “Pure luck—or maybe fate wanted you to cross paths again.”

“Even if I found her, it’s pointless. She clearly hates me. You can see it in her face, in the way she looks at me. I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me,” I said, heavy with regret.

I was deeply sorry for what I’d done to her. I shouldn’t have ended our marriage over fleeting feelings. I left a woman who showed me love and care to chase an old flame that fizzled out, and that choice was my downfall.

After marrying Vanessa post-divorce, I couldn’t ignore Olivia’s absence. Even though I thought I loved Vanessa at the time, it was Olivia I missed. Her gentle way of waking me up, her organized and caring nature, her concern for me—calling during work to check if I was okay or needed anything, asking what I wanted for dinner. Those small gestures haunted me.

Olivia poured her heart into our marriage because she loved me and found joy in it, but I was a complete fool, treating her like she was nothing, blinded by Vanessa and the nostalgia of our teenage romance.

Worse, I came to regret it bitterly when I realized Vanessa wasn’t the woman I thought she was. She was selfish, vain, and greedy, caring more about material possessions than anything I could offer beyond our marriage.

I’d made a terrible mistake by letting Olivia go.