Olivia’s POV

“Did I ruin everything?” Ethan asked as he drove, his voice heavy with concern. I sighed quietly, wiping away tears and touching up my makeup. I was about to pick up Mia, and I didn’t want her to see my face puffy and eyes red from crying. I couldn’t let my daughter know I’d been weeping.

“Honestly, Ethan, you messed up,” I said, my tone sharp with lingering bitterness. The memory of how he’d showcased me to Alexander during that lunch still stung.

“Look, Olivia, I need you to understand I was only trying to help,” he said earnestly. “My God, he’s Alexander Vaughn, the billionaire who practically owns New York.

A single recommendation from him could put you on the map in this city. I’d sell my soul to help you if it came to that. How was I supposed to know he was your ex-husband?” His explanation was sincere, and I couldn’t deny he had my best interests at heart.

“It’s alright, Ethan,” I said softly, my voice tinged with reluctance. “I’m just shaken from seeing him again after all this time. Our breakup wasn’t amicable…” I trailed off, unwilling to dredge up the painful past.

“I figured as much. Why else would you go to such lengths to stay out of his sight?” Ethan said, piecing things together. “Mia’s his daughter, isn’t she?” His question hung in the air, and I stayed silent. Ethan had been close to Mia since we first met years ago.

It was a cold, rainy night, and I was at my lowest, clutching baby Mia in my arms. We’d just been evicted from our home after I couldn’t pay rent for five months straight.

The landlord showed no mercy, leaving us on the street in the pouring rain. Mia wailed from hunger and cold, both of us soaked to the bone. I hadn’t eaten, so my body couldn’t produce milk to feed her.

I was sobbing, desperate, with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. I was too ashamed to ask Grace for more money, having already relied on her too much. As I crossed the road, a car nearly hit us, stopping inches away. Startled, Mia and I fell to the ground.

“Are you okay?” It was Ethan, leaping out of the car to help. I nodded, trembling, shielding Mia, who cried even louder.

“I’m fine, sorry…” I mumbled.

“My God,” Ethan said, taking in our dire state. “That bruise on your face—did my car hit you? That baby’s freezing. You shouldn’t be out here in this rain with her. Where are you headed? Can I give you a ride?” He helped me up, but I shook my head, clutching Mia tighter.

“I’m fine, you can go,” I said, backing away from the stranger. But Ethan didn’t give up, despite not knowing me. He persisted in offering help.

He took us to his home, gave us dry clothes to keep warm, and provided hot food I couldn’t refuse—I was starving, and Mia needed milk.

Once I ate, my body produced enough for her to feed, and she fell into a deep sleep. Ethan tended to my injuries, which weren’t from his car but from the landlord who’d beaten me as “payment” for my debt before evicting us.

From that day, Ethan never stopped looking out for me. He believed in me, gave me a job at SparkVibe Studio, and slowly helped me rebuild my life. Mia and I owed everything to him—not to that wretched ex-husband of mine.

“Damn it, I want to turn this car around and punch that bastard,” Ethan said now, his voice tight with anger. His fingers gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles whitened. He was furious, and I knew it was because Alexander had reentered my life. I doubted he’d leave easily this time.

I gently touched his wrist to calm him. “Easy, Ethan. I know this is a shock, but please, I don’t blame you. Just take me to Mia’s daycare. I need to be with my daughter,” I said, and he nodded, complying with my request.

---

That afternoon, I took Mia to the park, her giggles lighting up my heart as we played. Her innocence and simplicity were everything, and I’d do anything to shield her from harm.

Two days later, we received an email from Elysium Designs approving our project. I couldn’t even celebrate the achievement, knowing Alexander’s influence was behind it. Ethan stormed into my office, looking distraught.

“What’s wrong, Ethan? You should be thrilled—Elysium approved our project. We did it,” I said, offering a genuine smile. Despite Alexander’s involvement, our hard work on the project was undeniable.

“Did you see the conditions your ex-husband is demanding?” Ethan said, his voice laced with anger. “He wants you to move to Manhattan. He’ll cover housing and expenses for the project’s duration. He wants you close, but I won’t let that happen. I won’t let him hurt you again!”