Victor Harrington's arrival shattered the fragile peace that had settled between Olivia and Alexander. His eyes, narrowed with suspicion, darted between them, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.
Olivia's mind raced. Denials wouldn't suffice; Victor, shrewd and vindictive, wouldn't be easily fooled. She had to act fast, think on her feet, or risk facing the wrath of both Reginald and Victor.
"Victor," she began, her voice surprisingly steady, "I was just... enjoying the evening air."
"Alone with Mr. Sterling?" Victor scoffed, his gaze lingering pointedly on Alexander. "Is this your way of preparing for our upcoming engagement, Miss Rosewood?"
Olivia's cheeks flushed with defiance. "Our engagement is precisely why I'm here, Mr. Harrington," she countered, her voice gaining strength with every word. "I need to clear my head, to make sure this is the life I truly want."
Victor's face contorted in surprise. The unexpected defiance in her voice seemed to catch him off guard. He glanced at Alexander, a silent question hanging in the air.
Alexander, his gaze unwavering, met Victor's with a stoic expression. He knew the precarious position Olivia was in, the weight of societal expectations threatening to crush her. But he also recognized the spark of rebellion ignited within her, a yearning for freedom that no amount of pressure could extinguish.
"Perhaps Miss Rosewood is right, Mr. Harrington," Alexander finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "A walk in the garden on a pleasant evening hardly constitutes a transgression."
The tension in the air thickened, the unspoken challenge hanging between them. Victor, though clearly unsettled, couldn't find a solid argument against Alexander's statement. He knew he couldn't appear overly controlling, not in public.
With a curt nod and a parting glare, Victor retreated back towards the house, leaving Olivia and Alexander standing alone under the watchful gaze of the moon.
The moment of tension passed, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Olivia's heart pounded, relieved yet shaken by the encounter.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "For… everything."
Alexander offered a gentle smile. "I wouldn't want you to face this alone, Olivia. But remember, the choice ultimately lies with you."
His words held a bittersweet truth. Though he offered support and understanding, he refused to dictate her path. Olivia knew she had to make a decision, a decision that would define her future.
As she looked into Alexander's eyes, she saw not just a forbidden love, but a reflection of her own yearning for freedom. In that moment, she knew she couldn't bear the thought of returning to the gilded cage, to a life devoid of love and authenticity.
With a newfound resolve, Olivia took a deep breath and spoke, her voice filled with a quiet determination.
"I know what I have to do," she declared, her words echoing in the stillness of the night.