Chapter 19 : Departure and Denial - 1 Chapter 19 : Departure and Denial ( Olivia's POV ) The dining room felt suffocating . Every bite of food tasted like ash in my mouth as I sat across from my father and Natalie . Grace kept trying to catch my eye , her innocent face hopeful , but I deliberately avoided her gaze . No one spoke . The only sounds were the clinking of silverware against plates and the occasional sigh from my father . I couldn't bear it anymore . Pushing my plate away , I stood abruptly . " I'm done ," I announced , not bothering to mask the coldness in my voice . My father looked up , his expression a mixture of disappointment and resignation . " You've barely touched your food . " " I'm not hungry ," I replied curtly . Without waiting for his response , I turned and walked away . I could feel their eyes on my back as I climbed the stairs , but I didn't look back . Once inside my bedroom , I shut the door and leaned against it , finally allowing myself to breathe . The familiar blue walls that had once been my sanctuary now felt like they were closing in on me . My gaze drifted around the room , taking in the preserved remnants of my childhood . Agatha had indeed kept everything exactly as I'd left it . The gesture touched me , even as the rest of the house felt alien . As I moved toward the bed , something on the table caught my eye - a small , elegantly wrapped gift box . I picked it up , remembering the platinum watch I'd carefully selected for Connor at Timber Wolf Timepieces in Harbor City . I'd promised to give it to him , and suddenly , I wanted nothing more than to be away from this house and with someone who actually seemed to value my presence . Without hesitation , I pulled out my phone and dialed Connor's number . The moment he answered , I felt my voice softening involuntarily . " Hello , Con , " I said , the nickname slipping out naturally now . " I mentioned I got you a gift last < Chapter 19 : Departure and De +25 Puntos > time . I'll bring it over to you now . Are you at the Rivers pack house ? " His reply was brief but reassuring . " I'm here . " " Alright , wait for me a bit , I'll come over now , " I responded , already reaching for my purse . - As I ended the call , I realized how much my tone had changed when speaking to him - gentler , more intimate , carrying a trust I hadn't felt for anyone in a long time . After cutting ties with Ethan and facing the cold reality of my family situation , Connor had become an unexpected anchor . I slipped the gift box into my purse and headed out , eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of what had once been my home . ( Ethan's POV ) The drive back to Moonlight Manor felt longer than usual . Cassandra sat beside me in the passenger seat , chattering about some new restaurant she wanted to try , but my mind was elsewhere . It had been days since I'd seen or heard from Olivia . At first , I'd been too angry to care , then too busy with Cassandra's hospital stay . But now , a nagging unease had settled in my chest . As we pulled into the driveway , Martha Jenkins , our loyal housekeeper , came out to greet us . Her eyes scanned the car , then looked behind us with confusion . " Alpha Ethan , didn't Miss Winters come back with you ? " she asked , her brow furrowed . The question hit me like a punch to the gut . " She's not at home ? " Martha looked bewildered . " Miss Winters went out with you , didn't she ? She hasn't been home these days . " A bad premonition made my heart sink . Without another word , I brushed past Martha and headed inside , taking the stairs two at a time . I flung open the door to Olivia's bedroom , and the sight that greeted me was a profound shock . Her dresser , once cluttered with healing herbs and potions , was completely bare . The small trinkets she kept on her nightstand were gone . With growing dread , I yanked open her wardrobe . Empty . Not a single piece of clothing remained . The room looked as though she had never lived here at all . My breath quickened as I thundered back downstairs , finding Martha in the kitchen . " When did Olivia move her things out ? " I demanded , my voice sharper than intended . 213 < Chapter 19. Departure and De … +25 Puntos > Martha flinched at my tone , her hands nervously twisting her apron . " The next day when I went to clean , her room was empty . I thought you knew … " I clenched my fists in frustration . Pulling out my phone , I dialed Olivia's number . The call didn't even ring - it went straight to a busy tone . I tried again with the same result . She had blocked me . My face darkened as I scrolled through my contacts and called Sophie Parker . If anyone would know where Olivia had gone , it would be her . They weren't particularly close , but Olivia had few friends in Harbor City . Comentarios Ver anuncios ( 0/20 ) > Votar 246 3/3