#Chapter 13 – Small Victories

Olivia's POV The mention of a wedding struck me like a blow. I’d had one disastrous almost-ceremony and was planning another that wasn’t real. I was definitely the girl who’d dreamed of the perfect wedding growing up. I pictured an event full of love and joy and an endless garden of roses. But now it felt like an unrealistic fantasy, painful and out of reach. I didn’t know how to respond, my voice catching in my throat. Before I could gather my thoughts, Ethan answered smoothly, “I know it seems too quick how Liv and I came together, and the wedding will be soon. But I will do whatever I can for her happiness and safety.” His tone was so certain, as if it was a simple fact and not a lie we were both living. I managed a smile for my mother’s sake, but inside, I tried to harden my heart against the relentless desire for this to be real. “We should let you rest, mom. I’ll call you later.” The hallway felt too bright, too cold, and I could still feel my mother’s judgin