pter 14 Chapter 14 Olivia bit her lip , trying to hold back the tears . But they still spilled down her cheeks . ' Does he have to go there ? Does he have to use my deepest pain . against me ? ' A shadow flickered into Olivia's line of sight , blurry at first . She blinked and saw Liam . Her mouth opened , but no words came out . Liam approached her , his voice soft . " Sorry I'm late . " The room fell into an uneasy silence . The girl glanced at Neil , who stood there , his lips pressed into a tight line , an aura of cold intensity around him . " Just a bad apartment hunt , " Liam said , pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to Olivia . " No need to cry over it . Come on , I'll show you some better places . " Olivia took the handkerchief and looked at him gratefully . " Thanks , Liam , " she said quietly . Liam glanced around the room . " This place isn't good enough for you anyway , " he said . His eyes met Neil's , and the air crackled with tension . Olivia nodded and turned toward the door . " Let's go . " " Right , " Liam replied , guiding her away . Neil's face fell . For the first time , he felt Olivia slipping away from him . And it was the first time she'd walked away without even looking back . The girl whispered , " Neil , didn't everyone say Liam hated his stepsister ? But the way he's looking out for Ola … Well , I don't think- " " Shut up ! " Neil Snapped , his usual charm gone . The girl fell silent , her eyes wide . She'd known Neil for months , but this was the first time she'd seen him so furious - like a beast , stripped of his usual elegance and grace , and left with only raw emotion . In the car , Olivia had finally calmed down , but her eyes were still red and puffy . Liam glanced over at her . " If it hurts that much , just let it out , " he said quietly . Olivia shook her head . After a few deep breaths , she managed a weak smile . " Love should bring happiness . But looking back on all these years with him … it feels like I've spent most of them crying . " Every time I cried , I'd find a way to pull myself together and act like nothing happened . I thought he might feel bad for me , or at least see how mature ! was trying to be . " Turns out I just gave him more reasons to treat me like I was nothing . " She trailed off , glancing nervously at Liam . He sat there , still as a statue , the sunlight from the window casting a warm glow on his perfect features . But as always , his face was an unreadable mask . Olivia felt a pang of embarrassment . ' Why have I said so much ? He probably doesn't care at all . ' She forced a bitter smile and said , " Sorry , I'm talking too much . " Liam finally turned to look at her . " What do you actually like about Neil ? " 10.40 QUIT , & QUIT 7 85 % 28 Chapter 15