CHAPTER 005 OLIVIA'S POV Ipaced back and forth in my parent's living room , my fists clenched lightly , trying to control the overwhelming anger and hurt that swelled inside me My parents were sitting on the couch , looking at me as if I were the one in the wrong . Olivia , you have to understand , " my mother said , her voice calm and soothing like she always did when she was trying to manipulate me and make me do her bidding . Adrian's investments in the company , the money , it's all for the family . We can't afford to lose that " I couldn't believe what I was hearing . Was this really how they saw me ? A tool to keep the business running ? After telling them what I was going through in that marriage and how I caught him cheating on me on our matrimonial bed without even feeling guilty about his actions . after I caught him but instead threatened me . This was what my biological mother could say to me . I wanted to yell , but I didn't . Instead , I clenched my jaw and spoke through gritted teeth . " What about me ? What about my happiness ? " My voice was barely a whisper , but the hurt was clear in every word My father shifted in his seat , avoiding my eyes . " You know how important the business is to this family , Olivia , " he said . " You need to put that first . Adrian's not perfect , but ... staying with him , it's the only way forward ." I couldn't believe this . They weren't even looking at the bigger picture , weren't seeing how broken I was . How every day with Adrian damaged my self - esteem , causing me emotional trauma . " I'm not a business deal , Dad ! " I snapped . " You're telling me to sacrifice my life just so you can keep this empire afloat . What about me ? What about my future ? " My mother's expression hardened , and she stood up , walking over to me . " We're trying to help you , Olivia , " she said , her tone now loud . " You have a responsibility to your family , to this company . Adrian's your husband , whether you like it or not . " I felt the tears welling up in my eyes . " I'm hurting Mom , I don't even know who I am anymore . I'm not just some ... accessory to this business . I'm your child - your blood " My words hung in the air , but nothing changed. They were focused on the company , not me . I felt like I was suffocating . I couldn't take it anymore . With my heart racing , I stormed out of the house , slamming the door behind me . I needed to get away , to think , to know my next step . I walked out onto the estate , trying to clear my head . I was so lost , so trapped . My feet CHAPTER 005 took me further down the long driveway , my mind a whirlwind of confusion and anger . That's when I saw her . Dora . The woman Adrian cheated on me with . She was standing by the entrance to the estate like she'd been waiting for me . A smirk curled on her lips when she saw me . What was she doing here ? Was she also living here ? The White estate was quite expensive to afford . The apartment my parents lived in was bought by Adrian after we got married as a gift . I wondered how she could afford it , well I didn't know much about her . Dora didn't have to say anything , I could feel the challenge in the air between us . I stopped in my tracks , feeling every nerve in my body tense . I didn't have the energy for this , not now . But I knew she wasn't going to make it easy for me . " Olivia , " she said , her voice dripping with venom and a fake smile etched on her face . " I didn't expect to see you out here . Is everything okay at home ? Or are you just too embarrassed to face Adrian after all that happened ? " My heart raced at the mention of Adrian . I wanted to walk away , but her words felt like á slap in the face . I stood my ground , meeting her gaze . " What do you want ? " She stepped closer , her heels clicking on the pavement . " What do I want ? Oh , nothing much . Just wanted to see if you were still playing the dutiful wife ... making a fool out of yourself ." I could feel the anger boiling up inside me . And I was tempted to slap her across the face , but I held back . " Don't think you're better than me , " I spat . " You're just a pathetic little whore ." Smack! Her hands landed on my cheeks and I must admit it stung so bad . I also retaliated and slapped her too then started walking towards my car . I was done trying to be gentle , One minute I was walking to my car, the next I found myself falling face down , and I crashed to the pavement . Dora pushed me . Pain shot up my spine , and I gasped , but it was nothing compared to the sharp , burning pain in my abdomen . I tried to lift myself , but something was wrong . I could feel the blood , the warmth spreading across my legs . My breath caught in my throat , panic flooding my senses and I could feel myself losing consciousness . * Help me I managed to whisper . Dora stood there , her expression now more smug than ever , like she'd won some game . " Oops ... Guess you're just too fragile for this , " she said , her tone mocking . But even her words seemed distant now . I could barely hear her . Everything felt blurry like I was sinking . I didn't know how long I lay there . Then I heard someone shouting for help before I blacked out completely . Sukes