Chapter 7: The Ex Factor

If Olivia thought facing the families had been exhausting, she had seriously underestimated the emotional minefield that was dealing with Ethan's ex-girlfriend.

Natalie Harper was a problem.

Not just because she was stunning in the effortless way that made Olivia feel like a high school girl in the shadow of the prom queen, but because she knew Ethan. Really knew him. And worst of all? She wasn't buying their engagement for a second.

That much had been obvious from the moment Natalie had sauntered up to them at the engagement party, eyes sharp and lips curved in a knowing smirk.

And now, as Olivia sat across from her in one of the city's trendiest cafes, she couldn't help but wonder how she'd let herself get into this mess.

"Oh, Olivia." Natalie's voice was smooth as silk, but the amusement in her eyes was razor-sharp. "I have to admit, I didn't see this coming."

Olivia forced a smile, stirring her coffee to buy herself time. "Funny, I could say the same about you asking me to lunch."

Natalie shrugged, taking a delicate sip of her espresso. "I was just dying to hear how this all happened. You and Ethan… back together? Engaged, no less? It's quite the whirlwind romance."

Olivia held her gaze, keeping her expression as neutral as possible. She had two choices here: take the bait and get defensive, or play it cool.

She chose the latter.

"It is," Olivia agreed smoothly. "Love works in mysterious ways, I suppose."

Natalie's lips twitched. "Does it?"

There was a beat of silence, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air.

Olivia knew what this was.

Natalie wasn't just here for gossip—she was here to poke holes in the story, to find a crack in the carefully constructed illusion Olivia and Ethan had built.

And Olivia would not give her the satisfaction.

She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "You must be so busy these days, Natalie. How's your boutique doing?"

The shift in conversation was obvious, and Natalie knew exactly what Olivia was doing.

She didn't rise to the bait.

Instead, she smiled. "Flourishing, actually. Business has never been better. But enough about me. Let's talk about you and Ethan."

Olivia barely resisted a sigh.

"Alright," she said, feigning enthusiasm. "What do you want to know?"

Natalie's gaze flickered to her left hand, where the engagement ring sparkled in the sunlight.

She tilted her head. "That ring. It's beautiful."

"Isn't it?" Olivia lifted her hand slightly, letting the diamond catch the light. "Ethan has great taste."

Natalie hummed, as if in agreement, but there was something unreadable in her expression.

After a moment, she leaned in, lowering her voice just enough to make Olivia's stomach tighten.

"You know, Ethan never mentioned getting back together with you," she said, watching Olivia carefully. "Not once. And we've been… talking a lot lately."

Olivia's grip on her coffee cup tightened.

There it was.

The trap.

She refused to take the bait.

Instead, she let out a soft laugh. "That's Ethan for you," she said breezily. "Always private about personal matters. You know how he is."

Natalie's smile was all teeth. "Oh, I do."

The tension between them stretched, an unspoken battle of wills playing out over the polished wooden table.

Finally, Natalie sat back, crossing one long leg over the other. "Well, I suppose congratulations are in order."

Olivia smiled, though it felt like a victory she wasn't sure she'd won. "Thank you, Natalie. That means a lot."

Natalie tilted her head. "Does it?"

And with that, she picked up her espresso, took one last slow sip, and stood.

Olivia watched her go, heart pounding, the weight of the interaction settling heavily on her shoulders.

Natalie knew.

Maybe not the full truth, but enough to be dangerous.

And Olivia had a feeling she wasn't done causing trouble.

Not by a long shot.

---

Ethan's Reaction

Olivia didn't waste time.

The moment she stepped into Ethan's office that afternoon, she shut the door behind her and crossed her arms.

"We have a problem."

Ethan barely looked up from his laptop. "Just one?"

"I'm serious, Ethan." She stalked over to his desk, dropping her bag onto the chair. "I just had coffee with Natalie."

That got his attention.

His gaze sharpened, his fingers pausing over the keyboard. "Excuse me?"

"She invited me to chat," Olivia said, rolling her eyes. "And by 'chat,' I mean she spent the entire time trying to poke holes in our engagement."

Ethan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Why am I not surprised?"

"She doesn't believe us," Olivia continued. "She knows something's off."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, studying her. "What exactly did she say?"

Olivia hesitated before repeating Natalie's words. We've been talking a lot lately.

Ethan's expression darkened.

"That's an exaggeration," he said coolly.

"Oh, is it?" Olivia raised an eyebrow. "So you haven't been in contact with her?"

Ethan exhaled sharply. "I wouldn't call it 'being in contact.' She's been reaching out, trying to… I don't know, rekindle something. I haven't entertained it."

Olivia crossed her arms. "Are you sure about that? Because she seemed very confident when she said it."

Ethan gave her a pointed look. "Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to juggle an ex while pretending to be engaged to you?"

That… was a fair point.

Still, the unease in Olivia's chest wouldn't settle.

"She's up to something," she muttered.

Ethan sighed, standing up and rounding the desk until he was in front of her. "I know Natalie. She doesn't like losing, and she hates surprises. The fact that we're engaged is both."

Olivia swallowed, trying not to focus on how close he was.

"This could get messy," she admitted.

Ethan's lips quirked. "Messier than this already is?"

She groaned. "Don't remind me."

He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture was casual, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

"We'll handle it," he murmured.

Olivia searched his face, unsure why she suddenly wanted to believe him.

But she did.

Even if she knew, deep down, that this was far from over.

Natalie wasn't done playing her games.

And Olivia had a feeling they were only just beginning.