Chapter 6 The question made Olivia the center of attention in an instant . Everyone's eyes turned to her , and Liam's gaze , hidden behind his glasses , seenied spark with a sudden intensity . Olivia felt like she'd been punched in the gut . Her throat tightened , and the emotions she'd been holding back came rushing back in a wave . But she quickly gathered herself , forcing a calm into her voice . " We broke up , " she said , her tone steady despite the turmoil inside . The room seemed to hold its breath at her words . Liam looked away , his expression smoothing over , the storm in his eyes subsiding . Felicity, who'd been watching everything closely , gave a soft laugh and patted Olivia's shoulder . " If he's not right for you , just move on . " She paused , glancing at Liam with a hint of something deeper in her eyes . " The next one will be better , " she added , her voice carrying a subtle weig Olivia's lips twitched into a faint , wry smile . She'd been burned , and the thought of diving back into another relationship felt like asking for more tre She just shook her head , her smile barely there . After Liam and Felicity left , Maribel took Olivia by the arm and pulled her aside . " Enough of this , " she said softly but firmly . " You should go home and things . " Olivia paused , a flicker of realization in her eyes . Honestly , over those seven years , Olivia and Neil had broken up more times than she could count . Each time , she'd find herself packing her suitcase a marching back to him , swallowing her pride . She was always the one reaching out . If Neil had cared even a little , he wouldn't have let her walk away so many times . It was so obvious , yet it had ta her seven years to see it . With a bitter smile , Olivia shook her head . " Mom , it's really over this time . " She started to turn away , but Maribel's grip tightened on her arm . " Don't be ridiculous . Everyone in Pisloe knows about you two ! Even if you break up now , who's going to marry you after this scandal ? " " Then I'll just stay single , " Olivia said , her voice light but resolute . " Olivia ! " Maribel shouted . Olivia pulled her arm free and kept walking . " Don't worry . I'll crash here tonight and find a place of my own tomorrow . " Kline Manor had never felt like home . Not before , and certainly not now . She couldn't stay any longer than she had to . The night in Pisloe was still alive with neon lights and the hum of late - night revelry . But as Neil stumbled into his place , the silence hit him like a cold wave . He leaned heavily against the doorframe, calling out , " Olivia ? Olivia ? " His voice echoed in the empty space , but there was no answer . Neil's mind raced . He let out a soft , bitter laugh . " Here we go again , " he muttered . " Running away and playing the same old game . " He stepped inside , his eyes drawn to the mess on the floor . Shredded pieces of a wedding dress lay scattered , and in the middle of it all , a ring glinted under the harsh light . It all clicked . Neil's heart twisted and his throat tightened . " Neil , this is the seventh birthday I've spent with you . I want to give you something special this year . " Olivia's words from days ago suddenly came flooding back . 1/1 10:40 Sun , 22 Jun G Chapter 7