Protecting Olivia

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LIVY

Looking through the lens of my camera, I adjust the lighting to take in the full beauty of the ocean before me, the sunlight glistening off of the water, the waves rolling in and crashing along the rocks. This would be my favourite part of my job, capturing images to be used to create beautiful works of art. Lowering my camera, I move further up the rocks to get a different angle, acutely aware that just over the rocks is a small secluded cove that I have only stepped in once.

At the top of the rocks, I take a moment to breathe in the salty air, allowing the wind to blow my wayward hair in all directions, not caring about the knotted mess it will become. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the feel of the heat of the sun on my face, the autumn weather cooling down, making way for winter, brings a slight chill to the breeze and I'm thankful that I had picked a thicker cardigan to wear today.

I take a few shots of my surroundings before looking down upon the cove. It's a small, unsuspecting spot, quiet and away from the beachgoers that enjoy the surf and sand of the point. So close to the population but seemingly so far from civilization.

I decide to venture down there, knowing that the beauty it beholds far outweigh the horrible memories I have of the last time I was here. Still, as I make my way down the jagged rocks, I can't help but remember the way that Ethan sat on the small patch of sand, the way the light filtered through and hit his blonde hair and sun kissed skin. The image in my mind shows him as a beautiful god-like creature, an Adonis created for a world without beauty.

But then I remember why I met him here, how he didn't care that he had a son, how he has never acknowledged Matthew, or me, and the light of the image in my mind changes to one that shows his true colours. That's the thing about images, its all about perspective. Even the most beautiful paintings can hold such darkness in them, depending on how you view it.

Still, I push the memory out of my mind and enjoy the beauty of the cove itself, taking photos of the ocean, the rocks that surround the cove and the natural flora and fauna, undisturbed by the world on the other side. I allow the natural beauty of the place to cleanse the previous association I have of this place and see it for what it really is. Untouched and secluded paradise.

Looking down at my watch, I realise I have been here longer than I had expected, and rush to pack my camera securely in its case, I make my way back over the rocks, hoping that I have enough time to grab a bite to eat before getting as much of my work completed that I can.

With Matthew's surgery scheduled for tomorrow, I'd planned on taking the week off the spend with him while he is in hospital recovering. Although I can do my work from anywhere, I'd rather not have to focus on it when Matthew needs me.

The office isn't far from the beach, so I make it back in no time, unloading my camera in my office before heading to the café across the road for some lunch, made necessary by the incessant grumbling of my stomach.

Entering the café, I place my order for takeaway and stand away from the line to wait for it to be ready. Looking around the busy tables, I spot Lucy in the corner, sitting with a blonde woman who's back is to me. I walk over to say hello, knowing that my order won't be available for a few more minutes.

Lucy greets me with a wide smile, though her eyes show worry as she looks to the woman in front of her.

"Hey Livy, how did you go with the photos?" she asks as I arrive at their table.

"Excellent, though I spent far too much time there," I say with a smile as I look to the blonde woman who's face, I can now see. I instantly recognise the bright blue eyes, button nose and fine features. Older now than they were when she was just fourteen, but still as beautiful as she was as a teen.

"Oh, Livy, this is Kate," Lucy states as Kate gives me a hesitant smile before offering me her hand, her eyes showing panic and trepidation.

"Hi Livy, it's nice to meet you." She says with a faux smile and I furrow my eyebrows as I shake her hand and nod slightly. I know that she recognised me, there is no doubt about that, given the hesitancy in her voice, but why pretend not to know me? Ethan did exactly the same, did she think I was just some joke back then too?

Looking at Kate, the emotions of the last few months that I have tried so hard to push aside come barrelling at full force. Ethan's rejection of our son, his blatant disregard for our past together, Kate not acknowledging that she knew me, Matthew's health issues and moving to a new state. The heartache and pain I still feel every time I even think of Ethan, and how he smashed my heart to smithereens.

Maybe it was wrong that Kate would bare the brunt of my outburst, she was just a kid when Ethan and I were together, and it's not her fault that her big brother is a complete and utter douchebag, but I couldn't control the deluge of emotions that spilled from me in that moment.

"You know exactly who I am Kate, don't pretend you don't," I say, though the venom that I intended in my voice turns into a sob. "What the hell did I do to you and your brother that you couldn't even acknowledge my existence? Isn't it enough that he played me eleven years ago, but now after more than a decade he continues to not only hurt me, but our son as well?"

"Livy..." Kate says as she looks around the café but I stop her from talking by raising my hand. I know I'm making a scene but at this point, I don't care.

"I bet you didn't even know he had a son, a son that he doesn't want anything to do with and that one day I will have to tell that his daddy didn't want him. How is that fair? What the hell did I do to deserve this? What the hell did I do to deserve to have my heart broken eleven years ago? And why the fuck does it still hurt so much now? I hate your brother, I fucking hate Ethan Collins and I wish I had never met him, and the fact that you would sit here and pretend that he didn't just up and leave me like he did, that he didn't keep me his dirty little secret, means that you are just as bad as him."

My eyes are blurry as tears run down my cheeks, no doubt my eyes are puffy and nose is bright red, but I don't care and I don't listen as both Kate and Lucy call out to me, instead I turn on my heel and leave the café. Not caring about the lunch I'd paid for and didn't receive, I just needed to get away from there and get rid of this unbearable ache in my chest that could only ever be caused by Ethan.

I don't return to the office, instead heading straight to my car and driving away.