Chapter 2
Relief washed over Julio Kelley. "Before you and Garrett got married, I had him sign a prenuptial agreement. Garrett's temper is unpredictable. Just hang on for one more month. Once the divorce papers are finalized, the Kelley family from Westport will come take care of you."
"I understand, Dad," Olive replied.
Drenched from the rain, Olive made her way back to the villa. She gathered her personal belongings, coldly tossing aside wedding photos, albums, and anything tied to Garrett.
The next morning, Olive woke to her phone buzzing nonstop. It was flooded with finance updates and celebrity gossip.
"Garrett Armstrong has reportedly regained his eyesight. He was spotted walking more than three miles with tennis player Vivienne Gutierrez. The two looked inseparable and spent the night together at a luxury apartment downtown."
A bittersweet smile tugged at Olive's lips, but her eyes held a hollow emptiness. She'd once thought Garrett kept his distance in public because he was insecure. Now she knew the truth—he simply didn't love her.
As soon as she stepped outside her neighborhood, a swarm of reporters closed in on her.
"Ms. Kelley, did you come between Garrett Armstrong and Vivienne Gutierrez back when they were together?"
"Now that they're rumored to be back together, are you going to step aside gracefully?"
"Was that livestream just a stunt to keep Garrett with you?"
Camera flashes stung Olive's eyes.
Before she could answer, Garrett's voice rose above the crowd, sharp with authority. "Everyone, back up."
He shouldered his way through the reporters, planting himself protectively in front of Olive. "My personal life is none of your business. Leave my wife alone."
"Olive Kelley is my legal wife. Any claim that she interfered is baseless! If anyone keeps spreading lies about her, expect legal action."
When he finished, Garrett reached for Olive's hand. She yanked hers back before he could touch her and headed back to the villa alone.
Garrett followed, his voice thick with pleading. "Olive, please, just let me explain."
"Alright," Olive replied, her gaze steady.
"My sight came back about a month ago," Garrett admitted, visibly tense. "I wanted to surprise you when the time was right. That's why I kept it from you."
"Is that so? Well, congratulations on getting your sight back," Olive replied coolly.
Garrett hesitated, pressing his lips together. "Vivienne... We do have history. She gave up her career for me, and now she's hurt. I can't just abandon her."
"Please, just wait a little longer. Once she's recovered, I'll distance myself from her. Remember how you always wanted to see the Northern Lights? I'll take you once all this blows over."
So he did remember what she wanted—he'd just never made it a priority.
The irony cut deep. "Garrett, I'm tired. Let's proceed with the divorce."
Chapter 3
Olive Kelley had barely finished speaking when Denver Miller hurried into the room. "Mr. Armstrong, we've got a situation! Reporters are swarming outside Ms. Gutierrez's home, calling her a homewrecker. Somebody even smashed her window!"
Garrett Armstrong's face went pale. He snatched his coat and rushed out the door. Olive stood frozen.
He hadn't hesitated to leave Olive behind—not when it came to Vivienne Gutierrez. Moments ago, he'd been so protective of Olive. Now it felt like all of that had been a fleeting whim, just a game he played to entertain himself with her as Vivienne's stand-in. Even though she'd told herself she was immune, her heart still ached.
An hour later, Garrett returned. He reached for Olive and tried to pull her outside. Olive yanked away, glaring at him with ice in her eyes. "Garrett, what exactly do you want from me?"
Frustration sharpened his voice. "After Vivienne had to drop out of the championship because of her injury, her reputation tanked. Now they're calling her a homewrecker and dragging her name through the mud. She's spiraling, and she's threatening to end her life."
Olive's tone stayed cool. "And what does any of that have to do with me?"
Garrett's voice came out cold and sharp. "It has everything to do with you!"
"You're going to tell the media right now that you were the one who seduced me back then. That you destroyed what I had with Vivienne."
"For five years, you kept me trapped with your little games. And that live stream? That was all on you."
His words landed with such cruelty that Olive went still.
Five years ago, when news of his blindness first broke, the Armstrong family had turned their backs on him and left him completely alone. She'd defied her own family to stay by his side, tending to him day and night, making sure he had everything he needed.
He'd held her close, asking again and again, "Olive, will you stay? Will you marry me?"
Now she realized that vulnerability she'd believed in had all been an act. Their five years together had been nothing more than a cruel joke.
"I'm not going to clear this up," Olive said firmly. "Garrett, you know the truth..."
"It doesn't matter!" Garrett cut her off harshly, his eyes dark with anger.
"Olive Kelley, I already told you—once I sort things out with Vivienne, I'll make it up to you ten times over. Can't you just be reasonable and step aside for her?"
Olive felt like she'd just heard the most ridiculous thing in her life.
"Step aside for her? Why should I be the one paying for your messed-up situation?"
Garrett's temper flared. He stepped forward and seized her chin.
"Olive Kelley, you'd better do exactly as I say. Otherwise, your family will be ruined."
Olive's face drained of color.
She could handle being humiliated herself, but she couldn't let her family suffer. Her father had worked too hard for too long to lose it all because of her.
After a long, heavy silence, her voice cracked. "Fine. I agree."
Only then did Garrett let go of her. He stood over her, watching as she opened X and typed out a public apology, word for word, exactly as he dictated.
Once she posted it, the tension in Garrett's shoulders finally eased.
His tone softened slightly. "You'll have to put up with this for a few days. Once things settle down, I'll take you to that new Italian place."
With that, he grabbed his coat and walked out.