Chapter 22: <b>The </b>Skilled Restorer <b>and </b>Severed Ties–<b>2 </b>


    My brows knitted instantly, a surge of anger and hurt rising within me. “No.”


    His tone softened with a hint of pleading. “Let’s not quarrel anymore, okay? I’ve missed you these days. I was wrong that day, I shouldn’t have said those things to upset you.”


    But my voice remained icy, resolute. “It doesn’t matter anymore. We’ve already broken up.”


    “Broken up?” His voice chilled further. “I didn’t agree to that.”


    I retorted sharply, my patience snappingpletely. “A breakup isn’t a marriage, I don’t need


    your consent.”


    Without hesitation, I hung up and cklisted that number as well, severing thest thread between us. My heart pounded in my chest, but I felt lighter somehow, as if I’d finally cut away a weight that had been dragging me down.


    With that tie brutally cut, I turned my mind to my career. Though opening my ownw practice was an option, I knew my current reputation was insufficient to build a brand from scratch.


    It would be wiser to join a prestigious firm first, hone my skills, and umte industry connections. When I shared this n with Connor the next morning, he fully supported me.


    “Our Livvy is so outstanding,” he said, his ice–blue eyes warm with pride. “You’ll excel in Riverdale’s legal circles. Why not try Moow Legal Services? It’s the best one in Riverdale.”


    I nodded, grateful for his confidence in me. “I will send my resume.”


    (Ethan’s POV)


    I stared numbly at the phone’s busy tone, an emptiness gnawing inside me. How could Olivia be so ruthless–cutting ties so decisively, leaving no room for regret?


    The manor felt hollow without her presence. Every corner held memories of her–the kitchen where she’d prepare her healing broth, the living room where she’d curl up with a book, the garden where she’d tend to her herbs.


    I dragged myself to the bed, burying my face in the sheets where her scent still lingered


    faintly. I inhaled deeply, desperate to hold onto any trace of her.


    “Livvy, I miss you. I miss you so much,” I whispered into the fabric, my voice breaking.


    Just then, Cassandra Evans pushed open the door and called softly, “Ethan, dinner’s ready.”


    I looked up at her, seeing but not really seeing. In that moment, all I <b>could </b>think about was


    Chapter 22 The Skilled Resto


    how much I needed to feel something–anything–to fill the void Olivia had left.


    Without warning, I dragged Cassandra down beneath me, passion igniting like wildfire. Her surprised gasp quickly turned to eager moans as she responded to my touch.


    Yet at the height of our entanglement, as pleasure clouded my mind, it was Olivia’s face I saw,


    Olivia’s voice I heard, Olivia’s touch I craved.


    “Livvy… my Livvy… I miss you…” I gasped hoarsely, lost in the fantasy.


    Cassandra frozepletely beneath me, her body going rigid. When I opened my eyes, her


    face had turned ashen, hurt and fury battling in her expression.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    The next day, Lily arranged a celebratory night out in a bar for my return to Riverdale. Sitting


    on the plush sofa, Lily, Reba Frost, and I chatted over colorful drinks, the ambient music


    providing a pleasant backdrop.


    Lily took a sip of her cocktail before fuming, “That Vanessa Reed girl from yesterday really


    pissed me off with her attitude.”


    Reba nodded in agreement, twirling the straw in her ss. “Yeah, that foster sister looks


    like a tough nut <i>to </i>crack.”.


    Lily scoffed disdainfully, her eyes shing with contempt. “Foster sister? She’s just a


    household servant’s daughter, adopted by the Rivers family. An orphan living under someone


    else’s protection, yet she dares <i>to </i>see herself as a Rivers heir?”


    I was taken aback by this revtion. I only knew the Rivers family had an adopted daughter,


    unaware that Vanessa Reed was a servant’s child.


    “Why would the Rivers family adopt their servant’s daughter?” I asked curiously, setting my ss down.


    Reba leaned forward, her voice dropping slightly as if sharing a secret. “My brother said that years ago, Mrs. Rivers was attacked by robbers. Their servant took the knife for her and died. Before dying, she made Mrs. Rivers promise one thing.”


    At this, Reba paused, casting a meaningful nce at me. The sudden silence hung heavy between us.


    I blinked in confusion. “Why did you stop?”


    (Reba’s POV)


    213


    <Chapter 22 The Skilled Resto


    <b>25 </b>Puntos


    I studied Olivia’s face, wondering how she would react to what I was about to reveal. My


    friendship with her stretched back to childhood, and I’d always been protective of her gentle


    nature.


    “Do you know what that dying servant asked Mrs. Rivers to promise her?” I asked, my voice deliberately measured.


    Olivia’s amber eyes widened with curiosity, waiting for me to continue. The bar’s dim lighting


    cast shadows across her face, highlighting the delicate features that had captured Connor


    Rivers‘ heart years ago.


    I took a deep breath, preparing to share the information that might exin Vanessa’s hostility


    toward my friend.


    “Do you know what that dying servant asked Mrs. Rivers to promise her?”


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