cook the white rice...damn

But still…

She couldn't just give him up.

Even if she was the worst mother in existence. Even if she had made mistakes so terrible they were beyond forgiveness.

She was still trying.

Trying to make it right. Trying to be better. Trying to change things.

If Lucian told her to die right now, right this second she would. Without hesitation. Without a second thought. Without blinking.

Because she deserved it.

But even more than that

She wanted him to be happy.

She didn't want to just atone. She didn't want to just wallow in guilt and regret. She wanted to fix it.

To undo all the pain. To replace every scar she left on his heart with warmth, with love.

Was that selfish?

Maybe.

But it didn't matter.

Because the only thing keeping Olivia alive the only thing stopping her from drowning in her own guilt

Was the fact that it hadn't happened yet.

Lucian didn't know.