#Chapter 35 – Like Mother Like Son

Olivia's POV The morning sunlight streamed into my office as I stared at my phone, scrolling through the headlines and comments popping up across my feed. Despite the warmth in the room, I felt a chill as I doomscrolled, each one more cutting than the last. “TOP 5 WAYS TO ATTRACT AN ALPHA – LESSONS FROM LUNA LIV!” “ALPHA POWER COUPLE HOSTS CARNIVAL OF DRAMA.” "OLIVIA HARTWYN: LUNA IN NAME ONLY?” They didn’t need to say it outright; it was obvious the rumors were swirling that our union was hollow. And it was all thanks to Derek’s appearance at the carnival last night, setting tongues wagging without so much as a word. I had to shake myself out of the daze these posts had pulled me into, feeling the weight of Derek’s influence pressing down on me. My gaze drifted to a message I hadn’t yet opened from Mia. Finally, I tapped it, reading her text inviting me to Witches’ Brew. It was exactly what I needed. A short drive later, I spotted Mia already seated with two mugs on t