We are not going back

Chapter thirty-seven

I sat at my desk, feeling the weight of everything that had transpired over the past few weeks. Olivia's calculated move to throw me into the public scandal still burned in my mind. She had the audacity to twist the truth in front of the entire country, but now, I had to face her directly.

The knock on the door was firm, and I already knew it was her. "Come in," I said, keeping my voice steady, even as I felt the adrenaline start to spike.

Olivia walked in, looking as polished as ever, wearing the facade of confidence she had mastered over years. But there was something behind her eyes today- something desperate. She sat down without being asked, crossing her legs like we were just two professionals having a chat.

"I don't have much time," she began, her tone clipped. "But I needed to ask- why did you sleep with my wife?"

I couldn't help it. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I leaned forward, elbows on the desk, and looked her straight in the eyes. "Are you seriously asking me that, Olivia? After all the lies, the manipulation, the way you've treated her like your personal puppet, that's your question?"

Olivia's jaw tightened. "You don't get to make this about me. You had no right-"

"No right?" I interrupted, standing up and pacing slowly. "You want to talk about rights? What about Eleonora's right to be loved, respected- not treated like some political pawn in your campaign? What about her right to feel safe in her own home? Or are you too busy pretending to be the country's sweetheart to see what you've become?"

Her face darkened. "You think I don't know? You think I don't see what's happening between you two? I'm not blind, Kamala. I knew about you and her before her eyes even admitted it."

"That's where you're wrong," I said, feeling the anger rising in me. "You didn't know anything. You didn't care to know her, Olivia. You were too busy trying to control her. That's why she came to me. That's why she- " I stopped myself, biting back the rest of the sentence. But it was too late.

Olivia's eyes flashed, and for a moment, the mask of composure slipped. "You think you saved her? You think you're some kind of protector? Don't flatter yourself."

I narrowed my eyes. "At least I didn't destroy her."

Her laugh was cold, cutting. "Destroy her? I'm the one who gave her everything. The house, the career, the family-"

"The family?" I shot back, my voice shaking with rage. "You mean the one that's gone now because of you?"

That struck a nerve, and I could see the flicker of pain in her eyes. But she covered it quickly, leaning forward in her seat. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know exactly what I'm talking about, Olivia. You're a hypocrite. A disgrace. You pretend to be this perfect candidate, this devoted wife, but you're nothing more than a coward, hiding behind lies and manipulation."