As the city lights blurred past, Olivia leaned back in the passenger seat of Daniel's car, the quiet hum of the engine a soothing backdrop to her tumultuous thoughts. Daniel drove with a practiced ease, the familiar streets unwinding before them. Despite the evening's drama, being with Daniel felt unexpectedly comfortable—no probing questions, no overbearing gestures, just a steady presence that calmed her.
"I heard Lauren mention she was heading back to Ethan's building tonight," Olivia said, her voice low, almost lost against the soft jazz playing from the car's speakers.
Daniel glanced her way, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "Do you want to go somewhere else then?" he asked, his tone devoid of pressure.
Olivia nodded, grateful for the escape he offered. "Could you drop me off at my mom's house? I just... I need some space tonight."
"Of course," Daniel replied, his voice gentle. He signaled and took the next turn, steering them toward her childhood neighborhood's quieter, tree-lined streets.
As they drove, Olivia found herself relaxing into the leather seat, the weight of the evening beginning to lift. Daniel didn't press her for details or fill the silence with empty chatter. Instead, he allowed the soft music to fill the space between them, giving her room to breathe and collect her thoughts.
Pulling up to her mother's house, the familiar sight of the warmly lit windows was a balm to her frazzled nerves. Daniel parked the car and turned to her, his eyes sincere. "If you need anything, Olivia, even just someone to talk to, I'm here."
Olivia smiled, touched by his kindness. "Thank you, Daniel. Tonight meant more than you know."
With a final grateful glance, she stepped out of the car, the cool night air crisp against her skin. As she walked up the path to the front door, the sound of Daniel's car fading into the night, Olivia felt a sense of relief. Here, in her mother's house, she could find the peace she desperately needed to sort through the chaos of her emotions and the complexities of her heart.
Olivia entered the house quietly, the familiar scent of her mother's baking greeting her like a warm hug. She found Mary bustling in the kitchen with practiced ease.
"Mom," Olivia called softly.
Mary turned around, her face lighting up with surprise and joy. "Olivia! You look lovely, dear." She hurried over to embrace her daughter. "What are you doing here?"
Olivia returned the hug, feeling a wave of comfort wash over her. "Mom, it's complicated, and I'm exhausted. Is it okay if I crash here tonight, and can we talk in the morning?"
Mary looked at her with understanding eyes and a concerned frown. "Of course, darling, you can stay as long as you need. You know this will always be your home, too." She returned to the counter and packed a small plate with freshly baked cookies, their sweet aroma filling the cozy kitchen.
"Here, take these with you," she said, handing Olivia the plate and a glass of milk. "A little comfort food might help, even just a bit."
Olivia accepted them with a weary smile, feeling the tension ease slightly under her mother's nurturing gaze. "Thanks, Mom. I really appreciate it."
Mary watched her daughter with a mix of concern and affection. "You know I'm here for you whenever you need to talk," she added softly.
Nodding, Olivia climbed the stairs, her mind still reeling but comforted by the familiarity of her home. The soft hum of the house, combined with the warmth from the cookies and milk, wrapped her in a blanket of security. As she settled into her room, a sense of calm began to wash over her, promising a much-needed respite from the night's turmoil.
Ethan
Ethan rushed back to his apartment, his mind racing with regret and determination. He couldn't shake the image of Olivia's hurt expression from his mind. He had to make things right, had to salvage the night somehow. His original plans had included ending the evening in the warmth and intimacy of his apartment, and he desperately hoped that was still a possibility.
He cursed under his breath as he tried calling her again, but it went straight to voicemail. Frustration bubbled up inside him. "I really messed up," he muttered to himself. "I have to make things right."
The elevator ride to Olivia's apartment seemed to take an eternity. When he finally reached her floor, he didn't hesitate. He banged on the door, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. "Olivia!" he called out, his voice tinged with desperation. "Olivia, please open up. We need to talk."
There was no response. Ethan's heart sank. He knew he was invading her privacy but couldn't stand the thought of leaving things unresolved. He reached for the spare key and hesitated only for a moment before unlocking the door.
The apartment was dark and quiet. Ethan stepped inside, his footsteps echoing softly on the hardwood floor. "Olivia?" he called out again, his voice softer now. He glanced around the living room, searching for any sign of her.
Panic started to set in. Where could she be? He pulled out his phone and tried calling her again, but it still went straight to voicemail. A nagging thought crossed his mind: what if she had gone home with Daniel? The idea made his stomach turn. He couldn't bear the thought of Olivia seeking comfort in the arms of her ex-husband.
Frustrated, Ethan sank onto the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. He needed to find her, explain everything, and make her understand how much she meant to him. But where could she have gone?
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft chime. He looked down at his phone and saw a text message from Logan: "Bro, I just talked to Dad and heard Olivia's with her mom. Chill, give her some space."
Ethan let out a sigh of relief. At least she was safe. He knew Mary would take good care of her, but that didn't ease the ache in his chest. He stood up, determination filling him once again. He would give her the space she needed tonight but would be there first thing in the morning. He would make her see that she was his everything, that nothing else mattered as much as their relationship.
Ethan locked Olivia's apartment with a heavy heart and headed back to his own. He would wait, and he would make things right. He had to.