Chapter 6 - The Fall
Olivia’s body moved before her mind understood it.
Her feet slipped on the polished marble. Her shoulder twisted away from Scarlett’s grip. One hand flew to her belly as she lost balance.
She did not scream.
She only made a small, terrified sound as she fell carefully onto her side.
The floor was cold beneath her arm.
Crystal pieces glittered inches away, beautiful and useless and sharp-looking under the chandelier light.
Her belly was safe.
She knew it instantly.
But fear still tore through her so violently that tears filled her eyes.
Scarlett stood above her, breathing hard.
For a moment, even Scarlett looked shocked by what she had done.
Then pride covered it.
“Get up,” Scarlett snapped.
Olivia curled tighter, one hand over her belly, the other bracing against the marble.
“Please… don’t come closer.”
Scarlett laughed once, thin and cruel.
“You always do this,” she said. “You make people afraid of hurting you, then you use that fear like a crown.”
Olivia’s breath trembled.
“My phone is recording.”
Scarlett’s face changed.
Her eyes flicked toward the console table.
Olivia saw it.
Scarlett had not known.
That small shift gave Olivia enough strength to speak again.
“Dad knew everything.”
Scarlett stepped closer.
Her black heel struck the marble with a hard sound.
Olivia flinched.
Scarlett looked down at her, then deliberately planted one heel inches beside Olivia’s belly, pressing down on the edge of the beige dress fabric.
Not touching her body.
But close enough.
Cruel enough.
A message.
Olivia curled protectively around her belly and squeezed her eyes shut.
“You should’ve left when I told you,” Scarlett said.
At that exact moment, the wooden double doors opened.
Cold night air rushed into the foyer.
Nathan stepped inside in a black tuxedo.
May you like
Eleanor stood behind him.
And the entire scene froze.
