Love in the ER

CHAPTER 26

Over the next few days, Paris and Oliver fell back into the rhythm of their relationship. Though the tension from the situation with Denise still hovered in the background, Paris felt lighter now that she knew Oliver's heart was fully with her. They were careful around the hospital, keeping their professional lives separate from their personal turmoil, but behind closed doors, things were starting to feel normal again.

But there was one thing they couldn't ignore: the looming presence of Rodrigo Salameda, Oliver's father.

Oliver had been trying to avoid any further confrontations with his dad, but it was only a matter of time before Rodrigo pushed the issue. The family's reputation was everything to him, and he wasn't the type of man to let things go easily.

One evening, Oliver was at his apartment with Paris, he decided to move from home due to the day-to-day arguments with his dad. The two of them sitting on the couch, enjoying a quiet moment after dinner. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated the room, making it feel cozy despite the tension that had been hanging over them.

Paris leaned against Oliver's shoulder, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his hand. "Do you think your dad will ever let this go?" she asked softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

Oliver sighed, his free hand running through his hair. "I don't know. My dad's... stubborn. He thinks he knows what's best for the family, and he's obsessed with how things look to the public."

Paris bit her lip, feeling a pang of unease. "What if he keeps pushing? What if he doesn't back down?"

Oliver gently squeezed her hand, his gaze steady as he looked down at her. "It doesn't matter what my dad says. He can't control my life. I've made my decision, and I'm not going to let him force me into something I don't want."

Paris smiled softly, grateful for his unwavering commitment. "I know you won't. I just don't want this to keep weighing on us. I feel like every time we take a step forward, something pulls us back."

Oliver tilted her chin up gently, his expression serious. "No matter what happens, Paris, you and I are in this together. We've already come through so much, and I'm not going to let anyone—not even my dad—stand in the way of our future."

Paris's heart swelled at his words, but just as she was about to respond, Oliver's phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking the moment. He glanced at it and frowned when he saw the caller ID: Rodrigo.

He sighed heavily, picking up the phone but not answering it right away. "Speak of the devil."

Paris sat up straighter, her eyes flicking between Oliver and the phone. "Are you going to answer?"

Oliver hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I should. It's better to get this over with."

He pressed the phone to his ear, his voice calm but tense. "Hey, Dad."

On the other end of the line, Rodrigo's voice was firm, laced with impatience. "Oliver, we need to talk. I've given you enough time to think this over, but this situation with Denise isn't going away."

Oliver's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. "What is there to talk about? I already told you, I'm not marrying her."

Rodrigo scoffed. "And I already told you, this is about more than just you, Oliver. This is about the family. You have responsibilities, and it's time you started acting like it."

Oliver clenched his teeth, his frustration rising. "Dad, I'm taking responsibility for the situation. If the baby is mine, I'll be there for the child, but that doesn't mean I'm going to marry Denise."

Rodrigo's voice grew sharper. "This isn't just about a child, Oliver. This is about protecting our name. People talk. If word gets out that you fathered a child with a woman you're not married to, it'll damage everything we've built."

Oliver's patience snapped. "I don't care what people think, Dad! This is my life, and I'm not going to let you bully me into a marriage I don't want. Paris is the one I love, and nothing is going to change that."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Rodrigo finally spoke again, his voice low and cold. "If you go down this path, Oliver, you'll be on your own. I won't support this decision, and you can forget about any future involvement in the family business."

Oliver's heart sank, the weight of his father's words pressing down on him. He had always known that Rodrigo cared more about the family's image than anything else, but to hear his father essentially disown him was still a blow.

"Fine," Oliver said, his voice tight. "If that's how you feel, then so be it. But I'm not giving up on Paris, and I'm not going to marry Denise just to save face."

Without waiting for a reply, Oliver hung up, his hand trembling slightly as he set the phone back on the table. He leaned back on the couch, running a hand over his face, the frustration and exhaustion clear.

Paris, who had been sitting quietly through the conversation, placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Oliver... are you okay?"

He sighed heavily, shaking his head slightly. "I knew my dad would react like that, but it doesn't make it any easier."

Paris's heart ached for him. She knew how much family meant to Oliver, and hearing his father practically cut him off must have hurt deeply.

"Oliver, I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with sympathy.

Oliver looked over at her, his eyes softening. "It's not your fault, Paris. My dad... he was always going to react this way. But I'm not going to let him control my life. I won't lose you because of him."

Paris leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm here, Oliver. No matter what."

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. Despite the weight of everything happening around them, being with Paris made him feel like they could handle it. Together, they could get through anything.