"What are you doing here?" Olivia asked, her voice turning cold.

"My caregiver went home on leave for a few days, so Theo had me stay here. He said you'd take care of me."

Those words hit harder than expected.

So this was the reason... Theo refused to divorce not out of anything meaningful, but so she could tend to Jennifer?

A quiet, hollow laugh left Olivia.

Then something caught her eye. In Jennifer's hands sat the one thing Olivia held closest. Her expression tightened at once, anger rising fast. "Who told you that you could touch that?"

"Oh?" Jennifer murmured, turning the trophy slowly in her hands. "It really is stunning." Her tone stayed soft, yet something darker crept beneath it. "This is the highest award an accordionist can receive, right?"

A faint pause followed. "Such a shame..."

Her gaze lowered, and the look in her eyes shifted.

Without thinking, Olivia stepped forward. "Jennifer, give it back!"

Her hand reached out, but Jennifer pulled the trophy closer to herself, refusing to let go.

"Olivia, you really haven't learned anything," Jennifer replied, her voice losing its softness as it sharpened. "You've stayed by Theo's side for years, yet he's never loved you. If you don't walk away soon, you'll end up just like this."

Her sentence hadn't even finished when Jennifer lifted the trophy overhead and hurled it down without hesitation.

A sharp crash split the room as the crystal burst apart, fragments scattering in every direction like shattered ice.

A tremor ran through Olivia, her body no longer steady.

That trophy... it wasn't just an object. For three long years, she had pushed herself without rest, practicing until her fingers ached just to earn a place at the International Accordion Championship. That trophy had marked the peak of everything she built, the one thing she placed above all else, kept carefully on display as if it held her entire journey.

Now, nothing remained but broken pieces across the floor.

The sight cut deeper than she expected, as if something inside her had been torn apart alongside it. Moisture filled her eyes, blurring everything. Without a word, she lowered herself to the floor, ignoring Jennifer completely. Her hands moved slowly, almost carefully, gathering the scattered shards as though putting them together might bring back what she had lost.

A smug curve lifted Jennifer's lips as she watched—but that expression faltered the moment she caught movement at the doorway.

Recognition flashed in her eyes, followed by something calculated. In an instant, she shifted, letting her body drop from the wheelchair as if she had lost all balance.

Right then, the door swung open. Stepping inside, Theo took in the scene at once.

Jennifer lay on the floor near Olivia, her legs cut by the shards of crystal beneath her, streaks of red standing out sharply.

What he saw made his expression harden in a heartbeat. "Olivia!" His voice broke through the room, sharp and furious. "What are you doing? What did Jennifer ever do for you to treat her like this?"

"I didn't do anything!" Olivia said, her voice breaking as she shook her head, tears clinging to her lashes. "She destroyed my trophy... and then she dropped herself on purpose!"

A harsh sound left Theo, his expression turning savage. "Your trophy?" he said, and before she could react, he shoved her aside and moved straight to Jennifer.

Carefully, he crouched beside her, his hands hovering near her injuries as if afraid to touch. "Does that thing matter more to you than her legs?"

From the floor, Olivia looked up at him. The man before her no longer felt like the one she married. His face twisted with fury, his eyes fixed on her with nothing but blame, as if she had become someone he couldn't stand.

Slowly, her gaze shifted. Jennifer leaned into Theo, her body trembling, yet the look she gave Olivia carried something entirely different.

That expression said everything. A bitter taste rose in Olivia's throat. She could no longer bear to watch this staged act.

"How moving," she said, a quiet laugh slipping through, though her voice trembled. "You really do look perfect together... like something out of a tragic romance." Her tone dropped, losing all warmth. "So tell me... has this been going on behind my back the whole time?"

The question hung heavy in the air. Theo's face darkened at her accusation.

Jennifer stiffened, the pain from her injuries still evident, yet those words struck deeper. Her breathing turned uneven as she clutched at Theo, pressing herself against him as if seeking protection. "T-Theo... How could she say something like that? We've never done anything wrong..."

At the sight of Jennifer in pain, something inside Theo snapped completely.

He turned sharply toward Olivia, anger spilling over as his hand lifted without restraint. "Say whatever you want about me, but don't drag her into your nonsense."

Instead of shrinking back, Olivia looked straight at them. Her chin rose, her gaze steady, filled with something darker than hurt.

That unyielding look made Theo hesitate. Mid-motion, his hand stopped. A breath left him, heavy and restrained, before he slowly lowered it.

When he spoke again, his tone had turned cold. "Olivia... what you did tonight won't go unanswered."

He didn't wait for anything more. Carefully, he lifted Jennifer into his arms, holding her as though she were something fragile, something irreplaceable, before walking out without a glance back.

Watching them leave, Olivia didn't move. A faint, empty smile touched her lips.

Silently, she lowered herself again and began picking up the broken pieces scattered across the floor, one by one. Each fragment went into a box, handled with care, as if there was still a chance to put everything back together, to restore what had once meant everything to her.

Once it was done, she stood. Without hesitation, she packed what she needed, held the box close, and walked out of the house she once called home.

Morning came soon after. Reaching for his suit as part of his usual routine, Theo stopped when he found the rack empty.

A crease formed between his brows. "Where's Olivia?"

He was used to everything being prepared for him.

Rushing forward, a maid spoke quickly, her voice tense. "Mr. Harvey... Mrs. Harvey gathered her things and left yesterday."

"Who said she could leave?" Theo asked, his voice turning cold.

Without waiting, he pulled out his phone and called Olivia. The moment the line connected, his tone sharpened. "Stop this nonsense. Come back immediately."

A light laugh came from the other end, but it held no warmth. "We'll live separately from now on," Olivia said. "Since you refuse to sign the papers, I'll handle the divorce myself. I don't need your approval."

Before he could respond, the call ended.

For a second, he stood there, staring at the screen. When he called again, the call didn't go through. She had blocked him.

"Good," he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening. "Olivia... if you walk away, then don't bother coming back."

Irritation lingered as he grabbed the same suit from the day before, barely caring about the creases. He threw it on without a second thought and headed out, the door slamming behind him with enough force to shake the room.

After ending the call, Olivia made her way straight to the orchestra.

After leaving the Harvey Estate, she had taken up a room at a hotel.

With the weekend came a scheduled group rehearsal for the orchestra.

The moment she stepped inside, the conductor, Farrell Chavez, approached her, his expression weighed down with concern. "Olivia," he called out, keeping his tone calm. "You need to sort things out with Mr. Harvey."

Letting out a slow breath, he continued, his voice filled with regret, "We... we can't let you stay in the orchestra anymore."

There was no need for explanation. Olivia already knew Theo was behind it.

Given his position as the orchestra's biggest shareholder, everything depended on him.

Anger stirred within her, but she held it in. She understood why the conductor had no choice, yet asking Theo for mercy wasn't something she'd ever consider.

Without a word, she gave a small nod and started toward the exit.

Before she could get far, the faint sound of wheels followed behind her.

Lifting her gaze, she saw Jennifer approaching.

"You really are impossible to shake off," Olivia said, her tone flat. She pressed her lips together, unwilling to spare Jennifer another moment, and moved to walk away.

Rolling forward, Jennifer blocked her path, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Olivia... you still don't understand, do you? Theo has always chosen me. Those pictures? I made sure you'd see them. I wanted him to see. The second he saw them, I knew he wouldn't be able to stay away from me. I've told you before. He was never yours."

Anger had already taken hold of Olivia after losing her place in the orchestra, and Jennifer's words only made it worse.

She faced Jennifer again, her stare turning cold. "You really feel proud after ruining someone else's marriage?"

Before Jennifer had the chance to respond, Olivia's hand struck her—smack!

Shock hit Jennifer as she held her cheek, unable to process what just happened.

Standing over her, Olivia let out a faint, cold smile. "Quit your pathetic games. If you try that again, I won't stop at just that."

Without waiting, she turned and began to leave.

Suddenly, something shifted in Jennifer's expression. Rage took over, and in one quick motion, she pulled out a small blade and lunged at Olivia's hand.

"Ah—!" Pain tore through Olivia's fingers. She lowered her gaze and saw a deep cut across the back of her hand, exposing flesh. Blood surged out at once, then fell to the floor in steady drops.

A sharp breath escaped her as she spoke. "So this is how far you'll go."

Her brows drew together, and the look in her eyes turned even colder.

At that moment, her phone rang, sharp and insistent. Theo's name lit up the screen.

The moment she picked up, Theo's voice burst through the line. "Olivia! What gave you the right to lay a hand on Jennifer?"

There was no denying his feelings for Olivia. Still, the woman who once saved his life stood above all, and he would never overlook anyone hurting her.

For a brief second, Olivia went still. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Farrell standing nearby, his head lowered while he tapped quickly on his phone. It didn't take much to figure out who had told Theo.

Keeping her tone steady, she spoke. "Theo, I didn't expect you to keep someone so eager to report back to you." A short, cold laugh slipped from her lips.

"I'm willing to forget what you did to Jennifer." Unmoved by her reaction, Theo continued as if nothing had been said, "Come back home and stop this divorce talk. If you don't, losing your spot in the orchestra won't be the end of it. You won't be allowed on any stage again."

A surge of anger ran through Olivia, making her whole body tense. "You're disgusting!" she snapped, gripping the phone tightly as her breath came hard.

Without hesitation, Theo spoke again, his tone just as cold as before. "Pay attention, Olivia. Grandpa's birthday dinner is tomorrow. He's been asking about you. Show up like you should, and I might consider letting you return to the orchestra."

Not a word came from Olivia.

Within the Harvey family, Vernon Harvey stood alone as the one who had ever treated her with real care. Since the day she entered their home as Theo's wife, he had welcomed her as if she were his own granddaughter, and that kind of warmth wasn't something she could ignore.

For a moment, she wavered, then lowered her gaze to her injured hand where blood still seeped through.

Time stretched before she finally spoke in a quiet voice. "Fine."

Once the call ended, Olivia turned around, only to realize Jennifer was already gone from the hall.

A bitter thought crossed her mind. This was the gentle, innocent woman Theo believed in?

That idea didn't sit well with her, and she had no intention of letting Jennifer walk away without consequence.

The following afternoon, Olivia dressed in a cream gown made just for her and made her way to the Harvey family's manor.

As she stepped into the courtyard, her eyes landed on an older man seated by a stone table, dressed in a linen suit while holding a cup of coffee. It was Vernon.

The moment he noticed her, his face brightened. "Olivia! You made it," he said, smiling warmly.

"Happy birthday, Vernon," Olivia said in return.

A hint of discomfort showed as she moved her bandaged hand behind her back, not wanting him to notice.

Without hesitation, Vernon guided her to sit beside him and poured her a cup of coffee with his own hands.

A sip of coffee passed her lips, yet a trace of guilt settled deep in her chest.

Facing Vernon like this didn't sit right with her, since she had already decided to end things with Theo.

Before long, Theo stepped into the courtyard and moved past the gathered guests. The moment he caught sight of Olivia smiling beside Vernon, his expression shifted. Approaching them, he said, "Grandpa, everything's set."

He took the seat next to Olivia and slipped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her in. His hand brushed against her shoulder as if it belonged there.

The softness of her skin didn't go unnoticed.

A shadow passed through his eyes as certain memories surfaced, ones that reminded him how well she fit against him.

No one else came close to her that way. That thought alone settled it for him. Letting her go was never an option.

Olivia tensed at his touch, though she didn't move away.

Leaning closer, Theo was about to speak when his gaze fell on the bandage wrapped around her hand. His brows pulled together.

He hadn't seen that before.

From where he sat, Vernon watched them and let out a quiet breath. "It's been three years since your wedding," he said. "When will I finally see a child from the two of you?"

Heat rose to Olivia's face at once. Her eyes flicked toward Theo, only to catch the look he sent her, a quiet signal for her to go along with him.

Looking down, she let her fingers move along the edge of her cup. "Theo and I haven't made a decision yet," she muttered under her breath.

Without missing a beat, Theo picked it up. "That's right. Olivia wants to focus on her work for now. We'll think about it when the time feels right."

"What are you waiting for?" A sharp edge entered Vernon's tone. "Don't try to fool me. This isn't Olivia's choice. It's yours. You're always busy, or you're chasing after Jennifer. When have you ever truly cared for her?"

Theo kept quiet. All he did was nod, taking the reprimand.

Seeing Vernon stand up for her stirred something in Olivia. Her throat tightened, and her eyes began to sting.

Within this family, only this old man had ever made her feel like she had a place here. If things had turned out differently...

"Vernon, don't be upset," she said in a low voice, reaching out to rest her hand over his.

A quiet sigh left him. "I don't like seeing you treated this way. If he ever crosses the line again, come to me. I'll deal with him myself."

Not far away, Jennifer watched the scene unfold, her grip tightening against the sides of her wheelchair.

Theo once told her that Vernon favored Olivia only because of her accordion skills.

For years, she had practiced that same instrument, all for him. Yet Olivia always ended up in the spotlight.

Pushing those thoughts down, she moved forward, her smile already in place. "Vernon," she called out sweetly. "I've been playing the accordion for years. Since it's your birthday, would you let me play something for you?"