Only if you know (Book 1)

Chapter 1

Olivia stood dead on her feet. Her entire world has been ripped away in an instant. She knew that she should be relieved. She would no longer be tortured. But then why was she unable to do so? Why couldn’t she feel free? Was it possible that physical pain was easier to endure than mental pain?

      She had been hurt before, both in body and in spirit. But now, it was hard to deny the truth that she was mentally unraveling. The thought almost made her laugh. ‘When had I ever been stable to begin with?’

      For nearly three years, she had been carrying the weight of the past. A burden so heavy that it had made her life a living hell. And today’s incident? That was just the cruel finishing touch, the bitter icing on an already ruined cake.

      Nothing she felt now was new. These emotions were old, but now they only got worse if that was even possible.

      She didn’t even know whether she should be happy or heartbroken.

      Finally, she would be able to leave this place for good. The place that has given her only bad and torturous memories. But where would she go next? Where would she live now?

      Oh, yes! She has to go and live with her godparents.

      Olivia wanted nothing more than to leave this place behind. She longed to be free from this world, to flee from her demons that had chased her for years. But she must stay strong. Not for her, not for anyone but HIM. Her only reason to live. The only presence that made her life feel remotely alive.

While Olivia’s world was collapsing, miles away, Caleb was struggling to believe what he had just heard.  

      The whole situation was a disaster. Instead of spending the rest of his vacation in Seopol with his family, they were suddenly packing up, cutting their trip short to fly home. Even though only a week remained, he was still enjoying every minute of it. Rather than soaking up the last days of sun and laughter, they were now rushing back. All to help what he considered a lost cause.

      Okay, maybe he had enjoyed himself a little too much, and maybe returning home wasn’t the end of the world. But knowing why they were leaving was what soured his mood completely.

      When his mother called him to the suit, he had been having the time of his life, stretched out on the beach, soaking up the sun, relaxed, and engaging in a little harmless flirting. That’s when he learned that they needed to fly back to the place, which was only a few hours away from their home. Apparently, someone new would be joining their family—a girl who, as his mother put it, ‘had nowhere else to go.’

      That was all they told him. No details. No explanations. Nothing. And when he pressed for more, his father’s calm reply had been, “This isn’t our place to tell.”

      Bullshit!!

      He's their son. He has every right to know about the mysterious girl who would be staying with them. But, of course, his parents’ loyalty to their godchild and best friends seemed to outweigh their loyalty to their own blood.

      One thing he is certain of is that this girl is a carbon copy of his elder brother. He can say that confidently because, as he was leaving his room, he overheard his mother and father whispering to each other. That allowed him to conclude that this girl is nothing more than a mirror image of his so-called brother.

      Caleb isn't usually this cruel. In fact, he prided himself on being fair. And deep down, he knew there had to be a reason, a serious one, for this girl to be coming to live with them. But from what little he had overheard, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was just like him. She had to be.

      But Olivia was facing her own storm. She sat quietly in the corner of the living room, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, waiting for the next instruction. Around her, uniformed officers moved methodically, inspecting every inch of the house. This place no longer felt like home. But did it ever? The chief officer was speaking softly with her godmother and godfather near the doorway, their faces drawn with concern.

      After what had happened yesterday, she had no choice but to go with them. Living alone was no longer an option—not at seventeen, not with her fragile state of mind. The officials had decided it was best for her to stay with her godparents for now. And honestly, what choice did she have?

      While she sat waiting, trying to still her trembling hands, Eliana and William approached her gently. Eliana knelt in front of her and pulled her into a warm, protective hug.

      “Don’t worry, sweetie,” Eliana murmured, her voice trembling with tenderness. “We’ll take good care of you.”

      William placed a comforting hand on Olivia’s shoulder, his tone calm and sincere. “Yes, honey. You’re our responsibility now. Things will get easier. Take one day at a time.”

      After a few more agonizing hours, they finally left. The ride wasn’t as long as Olivia had imagined, and before she knew it, they were pulling up to her new home.

      The sight outside her window made her chest tighten. She knew this place. Every street, every tree, every corner whispered a memory. How could she possibly forget? This was where it had all ended for her—the place where her happiness died, and her misery was born. And yet, this was the only place that had ever truly felt like home.

      Her home. Rosewood.

      It would be an understatement to say her new family is wealthy. They were completely loaded. It is more than just a house. It's a big damn castle.

      “Come on, Livy,” Eliana called out with an encouraging smile as they stepped through the grand entrance. “Let’s get you settled into your new home.”

      Olivia froze. Livy.

      Her eyes widened at the sound of that name. A name she hadn’t heard in four long years. This word resurrected emotions she didn’t want to feel and didn’t deserve to feel again. It was buried deep within her. But she couldn’t bring herself to correct them. It hurts too much, but at the same time, it felt strangely comforting. 

      Livy.

      She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She couldn't say that this is the beginning of her new journey because she could never start over. But this could definitely be a continuation of her old life.