Chapter 19: Shattered Truths

Olivia's heart raced as she finally grabbed Ethan's arm, desperately trying to stop him from walking away. The hurt etched across his face pierced her deeply; his eyes glistened with unshed tears of anger and confusion. She could see the betrayal swirling in his gaze, and it shattered her resolve.

"Ethan, please," she whispered, her voice trembling. The pain of the moment broke her defenses, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Ethan hesitated, his body tense, but the pleading look in her eyes made him stop, if only for a moment. 

"This is far enough," she said, her voice cracking as she fought to hold back sobs. "I need you to listen to me." 

Taking a deep breath, Olivia pressed on. "I was working for Francis when I finished college," she began, her words pouring out in a rush. "Since you were a business heir here, I wanted to learn the basics of the fashion industry from someone outside the country. That's how I met him. In the beginning, things were smooth. He taught me all the business tricks, and his wife treated me like her own daughter." 

Her mind raced back to those early days, filled with hope and ambition. "I even started living with them in their house, which made it easier for me to work late into the night at his study. Everything felt perfect until one night at a gala meet." 

Ethan's expression hardened at the mention of the gala, but she pressed on, knowing she had to tell him everything. "People mistook us for being on a date, and I hated that thought. I started avoiding any public gatherings with him completely. That's when things turned dark. Francis became furious. He…" 

Olivia's voice faltered as the memory flooded back, overwhelming her with dread. "He kidnapped me. He forced himself on me. I have no clue how I escaped that day without letting him touch me, but I did." Her voice broke as the horror of that experience washed over her. 

"After I got away, I went to his wife and told her everything. I thought she would help me, but she wanted to save her husband's reputation. She threw me under the bus instead." Olivia's voice trembled as she spoke, the weight of her truth crashing down around them. "I never wanted any of this. I was scared and alone, Ethan. You have to believe me."

Ethan stood there, his expression unreadable, but the storm brewing in his eyes told her he was struggling to process the revelations. She stepped closer, desperate to bridge the chasm of misunderstanding that had formed between them. 

"I never meant to hurt you," she continued, her voice raw with emotion. "I thought I could keep my past hidden, that I could build a future with you without it haunting us. But now… now everything is falling apart." 

For a moment, silence enveloped them, heavy and charged. Olivia's heart raced as she waited for Ethan's response, hoping against hope that he could see through the chaos to the truth beneath her words. 

Finally, he took a step closer, his voice low and filled with conflict. "Olivia… I don't know what to think. I want to believe you, but the pictures—"

"They were all taken out of context!" she interjected, her voice pleading. "Francis manipulated everything. Please, just give me a chance to explain everything properly. I need you to trust me." 

Tears continued to spill down her cheeks as she reached out, grasping his hands. "I love you, Ethan. I would never choose Francis over you. I just wanted to keep you safe from my past."

Ethan's expression softened, the anger in his eyes fading as he absorbed her words. He took a deep breath, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "If what you're saying is true… if you really were just a victim—"

"I was!" she interrupted, desperation lacing her tone. "And I still am, every single day. But I want to fight this, Ethan. I want to fight for us. Please, don't let this ruin what we have."

As the weight of their situation hung heavy in the air, Ethan finally seemed to understand the depth of her pain. With a hesitant nod, he squeezed her hands, as if anchoring himself to her. "Alright, we'll figure this out together. But I need to know everything, Olivia. No more secrets." 

Relief washed over her, and she nodded, her heart hopeful yet heavy. She had to face her past head-on, but this time, she wouldn't have to do it alone. Together, they would confront the shadows that threatened to tear them apart.