1,2,3 And.. Love! (GXG)

Chapter 36

Olivia's POV

The bathroom mirror reflected a face I barely recognized. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes red and swollen from crying, and no amount of retouching could hide the dark circles beneath them.

"Get it together, Olivia," I whispered, gripping the sink as if it could steady me. "You're Olivia Carter. You've handled worse than this."

But the words felt hollow.

The tears threatened to spill over again, and I bit my lip, trying to push back the flood. It wasn't just the exhaustion from Elijah's recovery or the suffocating hospital air—it was the emptiness that Zoya's absence left behind.

She hadn't called. She hadn't come back.

She gave up, the thought whispered cruelly.

I'd pushed her away so many times—out of fear, out of duty—and now she was gone. Maybe she'd finally decided I wasn't worth the trouble. And maybe she was right.

A shuddering breath escaped me, and I wiped at my eyes again, furious at my own weakness. "You've got this," I told myself. "You always do."

Forcing my tears back, I reached into my bag for my makeup kit and touched up my face, smoothing away the streaks of mascara and the rawness around my nose. By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, my mask was back in place—flawless, polished, untouchable.

Elijah's room was full when I returned. The familiar voices of the cast and crew greeted me as I stepped inside, their laughter and chatter momentarily lifting the oppressive weight in the air.

"Olivia!" Anthony's warm smile was the first thing I noticed as he crossed the room to greet me. He wrapped me in a quick hug, his cologne almost overpowering. "We wanted to check in on you—and Elijah, of course."

"Thank you," I said, my voice steady but distant. My eyes instinctively scanned the room, searching for her.

But Zoya wasn't there.

"She couldn't make it," Anthony said, as if reading my mind. His tone was neutral, but I thought I caught a flicker of something else—disapproval? Satisfaction?

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile. "It's nice of all of you to come."

The conversation turned to work—updates on the show, plans for the next shooting schedule. I nodded along, making all the right noises, even as my mind wandered. When they asked when I'd return, I answered automatically. "As soon as Elijah gets well enough. I'll be back."

Anthony gave an approving nod. "The set's not the same without you."

As I walked them out, Anthony lingered behind, falling into step beside me. When we reached the hospital lobby, he placed a hand gently on my arm.

"Olivia, can we talk for a moment? In private?"

I hesitated, glancing at the others as they headed for the exit. But Anthony's expression was kind, concerned. I nodded.

He led me to a quieter corner of the lobby, his tone lowering. "I just want you to know, I'm here for you. If you need anything—anything at all—you can come to me."

"Thank you, Anthony," I said softly, though the words felt distant, rehearsed.

"I mean it," he pressed, his eyes searching mine. "You've been through so much, and I know how isolating it can feel. You don't have to do this alone."

I nodded, looking away.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I was so frustrated when I saw how the rumors affected you. I even suggested hiring a private investigator to get to the bottom of it."