Chapter 98 OLIVIAS POV 0 +20 The room was quieter now , but the silence wasnt empty it was full of everything we hadnt said yet .
I was still sitting on the couch beside my mother , still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I was sitting next to her , breathing the same air , after more than two decades .
I dont understand why you would feel this way , she finally said , her voice a blend of confusion and pain .
Why did they adopt you if they were going to treat you so harshly ? I let out a bitter laugh more air than humor .
Even I dont know .
They werent … the warmest .
I was just the extra mouth to feed .
I was never really part of their world .
Just a charity case , I guess .
Her brows furrowed deeply , and she clenched her jaw .
Did they hurt you ? No , I said after a pause .
Not physically .
But they ignored me .
I never felt like I belonged .
No birthday parties , no hugs when I cried , no bedtime stories .
I think thats why … I stopped expecting love from anyone .
It just didnt feel like something I deserved .
And that was just the beginning , I continued , needing her to know the full weight of it .
A few years back , they were struggling financially , and I met this guy … a billionaire .
At first , he seemed like a dream come true charming , generous , attentive .
My adoptive parents were thrilled .
They pushed for the marriage hard .
Her eyes narrowed .
They forced you to marry him ? I nodded slowly .
Not with fists .
But with pressure .
Guilt .
Threats .
They made it seem like I owed them everything .
And once I married him , the mask fell .

He was nothing but a monster .
Controlling , manipulative … cruel .
And when you told them ? I scoffed .
They didnt even flinch .
All they cared about was the money he brought in .
He was funding their failing business , and I was the price .
They told me to tough it out and be grateful .
So they were using you , my mom whispered , her voice shaking now not from grief , but fury .
They used you as a source of income .
Exactly , I replied .
Till now , they still dont realize all the pain they caused .
pain ? my mom asked her face filled with curiosity There was a pause .
I looked down at my hands , then slowly ran my fingers over my stomach .
My voice dropped to a whisper .
yeah , I hmm , I lost one of my unborn babies .
It was early , but it still hurt .
They werent directly the cause , but they were all connected .
My mother gasped .
Her entire body seemed to stiffen as she turned toward me fully .
You had a miscarriage … because of them ? she said , her tone low and sharp .
I nodded , blinking back tears .
I didnt even get to hold one of them .
I never got to hear a heartbeat .
Just emptiness .
That was all it took .
The emotional , tearful woman beside me was gone , replaced by someone fierce someone ready to protect .
They messed with the wrong family , she said through clenched teeth .
Youre going to write down everyones names that were involved , and Ill see to it they rot in jail .
Every last one of them .
I blinked , caught off guard by her intensity .
Mom … No , Olivia .

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Youve suffered long enough .
They dont get to walk away from this like nothing happened .
I glanced at Julian , unsure of what to say .
He raised his hands in surrender , his face a mix of amusement and warning .
Theres no need for that .
It was an accident .
My husbands lover was the one who caused me to lose it , I said , my voice trembling just a little as the memories tried to push their way back in .
My mothers expression changed instantly .
Her calm and tender demeanor was quickly replaced by a fiery one as she processed what Id just said .
Oh , so your husband had a lover , and she was involved in this ? she repeated , her voice low and tight with restrained fury .
Thats not a problem- were going to add them to the list too .
She immediately started rummaging through her purse , clearly looking for her phone .
And knowing what I did about wealthy people , especially ones with influence and connections , I knew what that meant .
Just one phone call and someones life could fall apart in an instant .
Id seen it happen before .
I reached out and gently placed a hand over hers , halting her frantic search .
Its all right , I said softly .
Theres no need for that .
Ill handle them myself .
1/2 +20 Chapter 98 She paused , her hand freezing mid motion , then slowly looked at me .
Her eyes searched mine for a moment , trying to read just how serious I was .
Then she turned to glance at Julian , silently asking for his opinion .
He gave a small nod Fine , if you say so , she said at last , letting out a small sigh .
But they must pay for what they did to you .
No one and I mean no one gets to hurt my daughter and walks away unpunished .
And they will , I said , a fire of determination rising in my chest .
Every single one of them .
There was a brief moment of silence .
Then she glanced down at my stomach and said in a quieter voice , I would have really loved to see my grandchild .
Her words hit me like a bittersweet breeze .

My hand instinctively went to my belly , and for the first time in a while , I smiled really smiled .
A genuine , warm , hopeful smile that spread across my face before I could stop it .
My mother blinked at me , clearly confused for a moment .
She watched me closely , tilting her head slightly as if she were trying to solve a puzzle Wait … she said slowly .
You said one of your babies .
Does that mean … ? I nodded , trying to keep my excitement from bubbling over .
Yes , I whispered , Im still pregnant .
Im still carrying one of the twins .
It took a moment to register , but once it did , her eyes lit up and she let out a happy gasp .
She leaned in and wrapped her arms tightly around me , holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world .
Im going to be a grandma , she whispered , her voice trembling with emotion .
let out a laugh small , joyful , and uncontrollable .
It had been so long since Id felt this kind of warmth , this kind of love .
Yes , I said softly .
You are .
This is wonderful , dearie , she said , pulling back just enough to cup my cheeks .
You shouldve told me you were expecting .
This is the best news Ive heard in years .
Well , I replied with a small chuckle , we just met .
I wanted to give us some time to settle down before dropping any more big surprises .
She opened her mouth to say something else , but just then , my phone buzzed on the couch beside me .
I turned to look at the screen , and my heart skipped a beat .
The name flashing across it was the last one I expected to see .
Adrian .
He rarely called .
Our communication had been reduced to the occasional cold message or short conversation .
For him to suddenly call me now … something had to be up .
My mom must have caught the shift in my expression .
Is something wrong ? she asked gently .
I need to take this call , I said , already standing as I grabbed the phone , dread , and curiosity mixing inside me .
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