Chapter 4: A Fragile Promise

Olivia stood with her hands still shaking in Ethan's grasp as the chilly wind ruffled her hair and agitated the air. The words they had just exchanged lingered in the air like a shaky pledge that neither of them was yet ready to fully commit to. There was something unquestionably familiar about this moment, though, despite the uncertainty that surrounded them—something they had both yearned for but never permitted themselves to experience.

Ethan was correct. She had no right to be here, in the middle of the night, on this street. She had a future predetermined for her, a life to return to. However, all of that seemed like a dream just now. It didn't feel real, the life she had imagined, the one she had created with Lucas, the one her family had created for her. It was oppressive.

"Ethan, what are we doing?" She withdrew her hands from his and muttered, her voice breaking. "I can no longer do this. I can't continue living this lie.

Ethan gazed at her with a gentle yet hurt glance. He understood her meaning. He saw the struggle, the uncertainty, the pain in her eyes. He sensed it, too. The conflict between their desires and what was expected of them. But they could not escape the fact, no matter how hard they tried.

Ethan murmured softly, "I don't want you to live a lie," and took a step closer. "I didn't. But Olivia, I can't make you make a decision. It is up to you to decide that for yourself.

Her face was faintly illuminated by the streetlights, which highlighted the range of emotions that were manifesting on her face. She was caught between duty and desire, between her long-suppressed love and her family responsibilities. Ethan sensed it; he could see it. He understood what it was like to be torn between two separate lives, each with its own demands.

Olivia fought to stop the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes and closed them. She had spent years persuading herself that she should marry Lucas because it was the only way to keep her family safe and maintain all that her father had fought for. However, the basis of that belief was now disintegrating in the light of Ethan's unblinking gaze.

Olivia murmured, hardly raising her voice above a whisper, "I never wanted to hurt you." "But I can't continue to act as though I don't feel this."

As though worried that she may draw away, Ethan's hand gently stretched for hers once again. Olivia, you don't need to act fake. Not with me.

The honesty in his voice made her heart hurt. No one knew her better than him, and he had always been the one who understood her the best. Nevertheless, she had pushed him away for the benefit of her family and let him leave once. Would she be able to repeat that? Would she choose the love she had always felt but never let herself truly embrace, or would she choose the life her father had planned for her?

Her voice was full of sorrow as she said, "I don't know what to do." "I don't know how to leave that life behind, but I also don't know if I can return to it."

With a sigh, Ethan drew her into a tender hug. It felt as though everything around them vanished in that instant, leaving just the two of them enmeshed in the same chaos. He said, "I won't ask you to make any decisions tonight." "I simply want you to be aware of my presence. For you. Whatever you ultimately decide.

Olivia leaned into him and closed her eyes. It felt like home as he held her warmly, and his heart beat steadily against her cheek. She didn't feel alone for the first time in years. But it was impossible to deny the reality of their predicament. Ethan would never be accepted by her family. Their love would never be accepted by them. She would also be abandoning everything she had ever known if she decided to choose him.

The weight of her decisions, however, appeared to lessen as she stood there in his arms. She was no longer by herself. Ethan was hers. And even if it meant making the most difficult choice of her life, she would always carry that love with her.

The mansion that had always served as her jail was bathed in the warm rays of the sun as it rose over the expansive hills of the Hart estate the following morning. Despite having a cup of tea in front of her at the opulent dining table, Olivia was unable to consume it. Her thoughts were elsewhere—on the discussion she had had with Ethan the previous evening, on the feelings that had risen so violently and unexpectedly. She kept thinking about his face, how he had held her, and how warm his touch had been.

She had been evading the truth and her love for him for years. However, she was no longer certain that running was the solution.

Her father's voice interrupted her thoughts, "Olivia," and she looked up to see him standing at the dining room doorway. His eyes were dark with hidden expectations, and his sharp features were set in a grim look. "We must speak."

She put down the cup, her fingers shaking a little as her stomach twisted in knots. "What about it, Dad?"

He entered the room and sat down at the table, saying, "About Lucas." "I believe we need to finalize the specifics, but last night's engagement party went well. Olivia, you've been putting off doing this. Now is the moment to decide.

Olivia struggled to control her feelings as her heart raced in her chest. "Papa, I haven't been putting things off. I'm simply considering my options.

Her father's eyes become piercing. Olivia, you've had years to consider this. You are no longer a child. You have obligations. This partnership is vital to your future. Lucas is the best option for you and your family.

Olivia's fingers were clasped tightly around the edge of the cup as she gazed down at the table. Once more, she sensed the walls closing in on her and the oppressive weight of her father's demands. However, something within her was resisting. She had never been able to get rid of the idea that she was living someone else's dream rather than her own, that her life was slipping away from her.

Her voice was nearly a whisper as she murmured, "I'm not sure if I'm ready, Father." "I'm not sure if I'm prepared for this life."

Her father's face became stern. Olivia, you don't have the luxury of uncertainty. It's not all about you. This concerns the Hart family's future. And I anticipate that you will act in its best interests.

Even though the words hurt, Olivia kept them to herself. Her father's ruthless, calculated reasoning and his inability to recognize the feelings that influenced her choices were things she had heard before. For him, it was all about control, power, and legacy. Olivia, however, saw life as more than that. It had to do with freedom and love.

Could she really have both, though?

As the day dragged on, Olivia was by herself in her room, pacing back and forth as her mind was racing with ideas and feelings. She was unable to ignore the draw of Ethan's presence or run away from her father's remarks. She needed to decide. However, the decision was not simple. She also knew in her heart that whatever she chose would be a game-changer.

She was free to continue living the life her father had planned for her. Or she could leave and go wherever her heart would take her.

However, leaving wasn't as easy as it appeared. Not when she was so burdened by her family's expectations.

Olivia found herself standing by the window, gazing out over the estate below as the dusk became closer. The world appeared to be so big and full of opportunities. But between the life she had been given and the one she desperately wanted to create, she felt imprisoned.

Ethan was waiting for her out there, too. Could she really have the life she desired with him, though? Or did that bliss come at too great a cost?