Twisted love

letting go

Chapter Thirty-Three
Oliver

The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on me like a lead blanket. I couldn’t shake the memory of that day—the chaos, the panic, the absolute dread that had clawed at my insides. I knew I had to act quickly. Sophie was the only person I could trust to save Katherine. She had always understood the depth of my feelings for Kat, even when I couldn’t articulate them myself. I’d called her, my voice trembling as I explained the urgency of the situation, and she immediately took charge.

Sophie had been my lifeline, her calm demeanor cutting through the chaos like a knife. I could picture her now, her determined expression as she processed the information I gave her. Within minutes, she sent me the video that proved I hadn’t been the one to hurt Matt. It was a simple recording, but it was everything. As I played it back for the police, I felt a rush of relief flooding through me. The evidence was there, crystal clear, and I hoped it would be enough to show that I was innocent of the accusations that had been thrown my way.

After showing the police the video that exonerated me, a surge of urgency propelled me forward. I could feel adrenaline coursing through my veins as I rushed to join the officers, my heart pounding with fear and determination. Every second felt like an eternity as I envisioned Katherine in danger, trapped in a situation I had been powerless to prevent. I could hardly breathe, my mind racing with the worst-case scenarios as we made our way to the scene. I had to get to her; I needed to ensure she was safe and let her know that I would never stop fighting for her, no matter the odds stacked against me. The thought of losing her ignited a fierce resolve within me, and as I pushed through the crowd, I silently prayed that I wouldn’t be too late.

When I finally saw Katherine in Sophie’s arms, my heart soared with relief. She looked disheveled and shaken, but she was safe. That sight made everything else fade into the background. All my fears, my doubts, and my worries about being a father took a backseat to the sheer gratitude I felt in that moment. I had been terrified of losing her again, haunted by memories of our past, but there she was, alive and in one piece. It felt like a second chance, and I was desperate to hold on to it.

Yet, amidst the relief, guilt crept in. I had allowed my jealousy and insecurities to cloud my judgment, pushing Katherine away when I should have fought for her. I had watched her struggle, and instead of supporting her, I had let my emotions drive a wedge between us. I remembered the warmth of her laughter and the spark in her eyes before everything fell apart, and the ache of loss settled in my chest again.

I took a deep breath, trying to push those thoughts away. I needed to focus on the present, on what was important now. As the police processed the scene and spoke to Sophie, I approached Katherine, wanting to comfort her. I could see the confusion and hurt in her eyes, emotions I had helped to cultivate through my own negligence.

“Katherine,” I said softly, my voice cracking slightly. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

She glanced at me, her expression guarded. “Oliver, I—”

“Please,” I interrupted, desperation seeping into my tone. “Just let me explain. I didn’t hurt Matt. I was there to protect you, to help you. I swear.”

Her gaze softened for a moment, and I could see the flicker of hope behind her walls. But just as quickly, she turned away, her body tense. I felt the pang of heartbreak, knowing I had to earn her trust all over again. I had broken it once; I couldn’t afford to do so again.