Chapter 6
Olivia’s driver picked us up.
The party was at her family’s estate, and when I stepped out in front of the mansion, I felt a wave of fear I hated myself for feeling.
The place was lit up like a dream. Rose arrangements around the fountain. Warm golden light spilling from enormous windows. Everything looked expensive, polished, untouchable.
Nate didn’t even notice I was struggling in my heels.
He was already walking ahead, moving fast like he couldn’t wait to get inside and see her.
I reached out instinctively, wanting to catch his hand.
But before I could, the front doors opened.
Olivia came out.
She passed right by Nate.
And came straight to me.
She was wearing a champagne-colored tailored suit with a pink rose pinned to the lapel. Her hair was pulled high, her features sharpened by subtle makeup. She looked gorgeous in a way that wasn’t soft at all—more like a white crane with a knife hidden under its feathers.
“Welcome,” she said.
One arm circled my waist. Her other hand caught my wrist, her slim fingers sliding against my palm so closely it made my breath hitch.
The sudden intimacy made me flustered, and I pulled away too quickly.
Nate, ignored, forced a laugh and slapped her shoulder. “What’s with the suit? Why didn’t you wear a dress? You look like a pretty boy.”
Olivia’s smile barely changed.
“Touch me again and I’ll cut your hand off,” she said lightly, like it was a joke.
Then she winked at me.
At dinner, there were only a dozen or so guests. Nothing too wild. Just gorgeous food, expensive wine, and people who all seemed born into the kind of money that teaches you not to rush.
I should have been nervous.
Instead, I got distracted by the food.
Lobster. Foie gras. Caviar. Every bite was better than the last. I was happily eating when I looked up and saw Olivia propped on one elbow, watching me with a soft smile.
Like she found me interesting.
Nate noticed too.
Under the table, he pinched me lightly, his face cold, the silent message obvious.
Don’t embarrass me.
My appetite vanished.
After dinner, the guests slowly left.
Olivia had been drinking. A few loose strands of hair had fallen from her ponytail, and her eyes lingered on me in a way that made me feel strangely overheated.
I quickly made an excuse about going home.
“It’s late,” Olivia said. “Just stay here tonight.”
Before I could answer, Nate said, “Sure.”
I turned to him in disbelief and whispered, “I want to go home. I’ve had a headache since the party started. I feel cold.”
He barely looked at me. “Sleep it off.”
That was that.
I couldn’t drive, so I ended up staying.
Olivia put me in a guest room on the first floor and sent Nate upstairs.
By the time I crawled into bed, I was already shivering.
I pulled the comforter tight around myself and tried to sleep it off.
But as the night went on, the fever only got worse.