CHAPTER 059
OLIVIA’S POV
Was he actually asking me that?
“Because I didn’t want what happened at the café to happen, but it happened anyway,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, filled with frustration and self–blame. “You didn’t have to lie, Liv. You can always tell me everything. We’re friends and I’m here to help out?” Julian’s voice was softer now, almost pleading, reminding me of the trust we built over the years.
“I know, Julian,” I sighed, running my fingers through my hair as anxiety prickled my skin. “But sometimes, I’m not sure what’s going to happen when I tell you things. It’s like walking through a minefield, never knowing when I’ll step on the wrong spot.” “Olivia, our main goal has always been to find a way to get you out of there safely, Julian said, the concern in his tone deepening. “But that goal will never be accomplished if you allow him to hurt you like this, or worse–kill you.”
I swallowed hard at his words. “Maybe he only acted that way because we were deliberately provoking him with the party and the spending spree,” I tried to explain, though the excuse felt hollow even to my own ears. “He didn’t do anything to me today. In fact… he helped me apply ointment to my bruises.”
“Oh, really,” Julian replied with thick sarcasm. “What’s next? Breakfast in bed? Maybe he’ll knit you a scarf too.”
I rolled my eyes at his snarky remark. “Calm down, Julian.”
“I am calm,” he shot back, though the tightness in his voice said otherwise. “But we’re taking this whole situation way too lightly. Olivia, you were supposed to find the names of the people he hired to frame you. What’s happening? Why haven’t you found anything?”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds,” I replied, feeling defensive. “He’s not exactly the type to leave evidence lying around for me to find. He’s careful, Julian. Extremely careful.” “Well, you need to be more persistent,” Julian pressed on, determination seeping into every word. “You have a child now, for crying out loud. Everything has changed. You’re not just fighting for yourself anymore–you’re fighting for your child’s future too.” “I understand your point,” I admitted, feeling a lump in my throat. “But if he starts suspecting something, it could make everything worse. He might tighten his guard, and then we’ll lose whatever tiny window of opportunity we have.”
“And you didn’t find any other inf successfully unlocked! e that day?” Julian asked, his voice full of hope but already expecuny unsuppomument.
“No, apart from what I told you, there’s nothing on his phone,” I answered truthfully,” But… I think there might be something on his laptop.”
“Good,” Julian said quickly, “That’s good. Then all you have to do is wait until he’s not around and start searching through it. Anything you find could help us.”
“He always keeps his laptop in his library,” I revealed, my mind already picturing the dark wooden shelves. “I’ll check it out when I get the chance.”
“But you need to be careful, Liv” Julian warned, his tone dropping lower. “You don’t know what’s going on in that twisted mind of his. He might already suspect something, and we can’t afford a mistake.”
“I know,” I replied, my heart thudding heavily in my chest. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, suffocating me with invisible chains.
“I’m going to get you out of there, I promise you,” Julian said with such certainty that it almost made me believe it, even if just for a moment.
A small, smile appeared on my face before I ended the call. His words were like a flame of hope in the darkness surrounding me.
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