Chapter 18 : Return to the Pack - 1 Chapter 18 : Return to the Pack ( Connor's POV ) I handed the phone back to Olivia , keeping my expression deliberately neutral despite the irritation I felt seeing that message . " Your friend seems to have sent you a message , " I said calmly , watching her reaction carefully . " Hm ? Let me see . " Olivia took the phone , her face immediately stiffening as she read the message . I knew she'd realized I had seen the notification banner with Ethan Grey's condescending words . Her amber eyes flickered with guilt as she turned back to me . " My ex - boyfriend . We've broken up , " she explained , her voice slightly strained . " Mm , " I responded , maintaining my bland expression , revealing nothing of my thoughts . I'd known about her relationship with Ethan Grey for years . My visits to Harbor City weren't just casual trips - I'd been keeping tabs on her , watching from a distance as she built her life here . I'd seen how Ethan treated her , how he took her for granted , and it had taken considerable restraint not to intervene . But now wasn't the time to reveal that . Olivia needed to make her own choices , and I would respect that process , even as I positioned myself to be there when she was ready . ( Olivia's POV ) A faint fluster rose within me as I stood there with my phone in hand . Why was I nervous ? I was twenty - five years old , and having an ex - boyfriend was perfectly normal . Besides , I had dated Ethan before agreeing to the arranged mating with Connor . I'd done nothing wrong , nothing to betray my future partner . As this realization settled , my panic gradually subsided . I took a deep breath and steadied myself . To draw a clear boundary - both for Connor and for myself - I unlocked my phone right in front of him . With deliberate movements , I navigated to Ethan's contact and blocked his number . " Don't worry , " I said softly , looking up at Connor . " Since I've agreed to this mating arrangement , my ex will only ever be the past . " 1/3 < Chapter 18 Return to the Pac 25 Puntes Connor nodded quietly , his ice - blue eyes still unreadable . I couldn't tell what he was thinking behind that calm exterior . I turned away , missing the slight curve that formed at the corners of his lips . The next few days passed peacefully . Connor and I continued exploring Harbor City together , building a comfortable rapport that felt surprisingly natural . But eventually , it was time to face reality . " I think I should return to Riverdale , " I told Connor over breakfast on our sixth day together . " I've been away from my family for three years . It's time . " Connor nodded , understanding in his eyes . " I'll arrange everything . " True to his word , he handled all the details . We flew to Riverdale the following morning , and Henry Morris met us at the airport with a sleek black SUV . The drive to the Winters estate was quiet , filled with my growing apprehension . As we approached the familiar gates of my childhood home , Connor turned to me with gentle concern in his eyes . " Do you want me to come in with you ? " he asked , his deep voice soft . I shook my head slightly , my amber eyes reflecting determination despite my inner turmoil . " No need . " Connor respected my choice without question . Once his car drove away , I was left standing before the grand gates of my childhood home . A surge of complex emotions filled me - nostalgia , apprehension , and a faint ache that wouldn't subside . After three years away , I was finally home , yet I had no house key . Like an outsider , I had to ring the doorbell . The irony stung my heart as I pressed the button . Moments later , the door opened to reveal Agatha Turner , the loyal housekeeper who had watched me grow up . Seeing me , she was momentarily stunned , her eyes widening in disbelief . " M - Miss Olivia , you're back ? " she choked on her words , her voice trembling . Hearing that simple question , a wave of sourness surged in my heart . " Mm , " I responded softly , unable to say more . Tears immediately glistened in Agatha's eyes as she stepped aside to welcome me home . Her joy and relief were overwhelming , making my own eyes sting . Chapter 18 Return to the Pac +25 Puntos > Agatha had served the Winters family for more than ten years and had always treated me like her own child . The night my mother died from wolfsbane poisoning , it was Agatha who found me collapsed in the snow and carried me back inside . During those long nights of fever and grief , when I wasted away mourning my mother , Agatha stayed by my side . She coaxed me to eat , bathed my forehead when fever took hold , and held me through the nightmares . Without her , I might never have survived that dark time . Even after I left home , I still called her during holidays , maintaining our deep bond across the distance . Moved by these memories , I took out a delicate gift box from my bag and passed it to her .