Chapter 108 Chapter 108 OLIVIAS POV 20 We got to the study room , and my mom was already pulling out her phone , her fingers moving quickly as she dialed .
Yes , honey , shes ready , she said softly , her voice slightly shaking with excitement as she opened up the laptop sitting on the desk .
I walked over and sat down in front of the table where the laptop was placed , my hands fidgeting in my lap .
I could feel the nervous energy building up inside me .
Julian , ever the calm one , moved to the side and started setting up the Zoom meeting with practiced ease .
I could tell he had done this sort of thing many times before , but for me , this was a first and a big one .
My heart raced as I watched the screen light up and the familiar Zoom logo begin to load .
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves .
This wasnt just any video call .
This was the moment I would be seeing my biological father for the first time in … well , forever .
Julian stepped back once everything was connected , and then there he was .
The man on the screen looked nothing like I had imagined .
He wore sleek glasses that made him look distinguished , but his features were still surprisingly youthful .
His dark hair was streaked with only a hint of silver , and his skin looked smooth for someone I assumed to be older .
I blinked , almost doing a double take .
I was expecting someone with grey hair , maybe even a cane .
But here he was , looking like he had just walked out of a boardroom .
He adjusted his glasses and leaned a little closer to the camera , and then he smiled a wide , genuine smile that reached all the way to his eyes .
There was something warm and familiar in that expression .
I didnt expect to feel comforted by it , but somehow , I did .
Olivia , he said , his voice thick with emotion , its so good to finally see you again .
Look how youve grown … into such a beautiful woman .
Even more beautiful than your mother .
I chuckled awkwardly , caught off guard by the compliment .
Before I could say anything , I heard my mom scoff playfully from behind me .
Really ? she said , crossing her arms as if she were offended but the soft smile on her face said otherwise .

Its good to see you too , Dad , I said , testing the word on my tongue .
It felt strange .
Foreign .
But also right in a way I couldnt explain .
I had spent my entire life calling someone else Dad someone who had raised me , yes , but who had also never truly made me feel seen or heard .
And now , here I was , calling a man Id never met before by the same name .
But it didnt feel wrong .
It felt … natural .
The moment I said it , I saw something shift in his eyes .
He blinked rapidly , took off his glasses , and dabbed at his eyes with a napkin .
Excuse me , he murmured , clearly trying to compose himself .
Seeing you again , hearing you call me that … it just brought something out in me .
If I were there with you , Olivia , I wouldve given you the tightest hug .
I smiled .
Well , Moms already taking care of the hugging part .
She cant go a minute without pulling me into one and nearly choking me to death .
My mom laughed at that and walked up beside me , giving my cheek a gentle pinch .
Thats because Ive missed you so much , she said , her eyes soft and shining with affection .
My father chuckled .
You always were the emotional one , he said to her before turning back to me .
So tell me , dear , how have you been all these years ? How have you been holding up ? Financially ? Mentally ? Physically ? Are you done with school ? The questions came quickly , but they were asked with genuine concern .
His tone was soft but serious .
He wanted to know everything .
I swallowed hard , my throat suddenly feeling tight as a wave of emotions welled up inside me .
I wasnt sure how to begin .
How do you explain to a man youre just meeting your biological father that your life has been anything but perfect ? That behind the polished smile and soft words , there has been pain , loneliness , and silent suffering ? I wont lie to you , I began slowly , my voice a little shaky , growing up hasnt been easy for me .
Not financially , mentally , or physically .

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Ive been stuck in a one sided marriage for as long as I can remember .
A marriage that drained me more than it supported me .
Ive endured physical abuse … emotional manipulation … but thankfully , Im finally at the edge of escaping it .
Im nearly out for good .
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the call .
I didnt dare look at Julian or my mom just yet .
I had to let it all out first .
And yes , Im done with school , I continued , clasping my hands tightly in my lap .
I earned a degree in Business Administration .
But … getting a job has been impossible .
I guess I never really tried after getting married .
Ive been surrounded by my husbands wealth , living in his world , not mine .
But when it comes to having something of my own my own money , independence I have nothing .
Im broke .
Financially , Ive been scraping by emotionally , too .
My father leaned back in his chair , rubbing his chin thoughtfully .
The expression on his face was a mix of sadness and admiration .
Youre married to an abusive man ? he echoed quietly .
Thats a lot to take in .
Im … Im truly sorry to hear that , Olivia .
But if theres one thing I can tell already , its that youve inherited your mothers strength .
Her will .
That fire in you ….
Its very familiar .
A small , genuine smile tugged at the corners of my lips .
It felt good to be seen to be heard .

For once , someone believed in me , without even 1/2 11:36 AM +20 ) Chapter 108 knowing the full story .
Theres so much more we need to talk about , my father added warmly .
So much I want to know about your life .
And tell me are you still searching for a job ? Any plans ? 0 I paused , unsure how to answer .
Well … since I got married , job hunting hasnt exactly been a priority .
With everything going on , it honestly didnt cross my mind .
But if I see an opportunity , Id definitely go for it .
And then to my utter surprise he laughed .
Not just a chuckle , but a deep , amused laugh that rolled out from his chest .
I blinked in confusion , and what made it even stranger was how my mom and Julian joined in too .
They were all laughing , and I was just sitting there , puzzled .
I looked from one to the other , my eyebrows furrowed .
Did I say something funny ? My father finally calmed down , wiping his eyes with the edge of his handkerchief .
Im sorry , sweetheart , he said , smiling .
I know youve only just found out about us , and everything is still new and probably overwhelming .
But let me ask you something do you actually know who we are ? I glanced at Julian , who gave me a quiet nod of encouragement .
Not really , I admitted .
Julian … hasnt said much .
He doesnt like talking about your lives before me .
My dad nodded , leaning in slightly as if letting me in on a well guarded secret .
Well then , let me tell you this : the moment Julian found you and brought you back into our lives , you officially became Olivia Blake .
And in this family , sweetheart , we dont go looking for jobs … He paused , watching my eyes widen .
… We create them .
We hand them out .
I turned to Julian again , who smiled proudly and gave me another nod .
What did that even mean ? I was just beginning to understand that my life had changed in ways I couldnt yet comprehend .
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