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?"

It was obvious Vernon held no fondness for Jennifer. His expression stayed distant as he ignored her and took another sip of coffee.

A flicker of discomfort passed over Jennifer's face, and her hands tightened against the sides of her wheelchair.

Theo gave her a look, and she caught on right away. With a small nod, she guided herself toward the front.

Facing the crowd, she spoke in a soft tone. "It's Vernon's birthday today. I'd like to play something on the accordion to wish him a happy birthday."

Her voice stayed gentle. Under the lights, dressed in white, she sat straight in her wheelchair, every movement measured.

Her fingers pressed against the keys, and the music began. The tune came out steady, yet it lacked depth. A few notes slipped off pitch.

When she finished, the guests responded with polite applause.

Many of them were well-versed in music. They could tell right away it wasn't refined. Their smiles stayed in place, but their thoughts told a different story. It barely reached a beginner's level, yet she had the nerve to perform before them.

As soon as she left the stage, Theo spoke up without hesitation. "Jennifer is a talented accordionist. She'll be holding her own concert soon."

A quiet laugh escaped Olivia. Just to protect Jennifer, Theo didn't mind making himself look foolish.

Moments later, Theo turned to Vernon, and a rare softness appeared in his expression. "Jennifer's concert is coming up. It would mean a lot if you could attend and support her."

Each word cut into Olivia like a knife.

She had stood on stage countless times with the orchestra, yet Theo had never once been there. Now he was asking his grandfather to show up for Jennifer?

Her gaze dropped, and a shadow crossed her face.

A scoff left Vernon. "Absolutely not. I don't waste my time on things like that."

After a pause, his tone turned warmer. "If it were Olivia's concert, though, I'd be sitting right in the front."

The color drained from Jennifer's face.

She understood what that meant. Without Vernon's approval, becoming part of the Harvey family would never happen.

And in her mind, Olivia was the reason.

A thought took shape, and she moved back beside Theo. Turning toward Olivia, she put on a soft, teasing smile. "Olivia, you're known as the youngest accordionist in the country. With a day like Vernon's birthday, how could you not play something for him?"

Her gaze drifted to Olivia's wrapped hand, and a faint smile followed.

On any other day, she knew she wouldn't stand a chance.

But now, with that injury, Olivia couldn't possibly perform.

Jennifer had already decided. She would make sure Olivia embarrassed herself in front of everyone.

Making her perform now would only push the injury further. There was no outcome where Olivia could come out on top.

Olivia's eyes dropped to her aching hand, and discomfort showed on her face. "I can't—"

Theo didn't let her finish. He leaned in, and his voice lowered, his breath brushing her ear. "It's Grandpa's birthday. Think about what you're doing. Jennifer already played. Are you really going to turn this down?"

He had noticed her injury. Still, not once had he asked about it. Instead, he was urging her toward the stage.

Something tightened in Olivia's chest. The pain in her hand flared, yet she kept her expression steady as she looked at Vernon. "Since someone like Jennifer could perform, it wouldn't be right for me, as Theo's wife, to sit this out."

Rising to her feet, she gave Jennifer a small, polite nod before heading toward the stage.

She reached for the same accordion Jennifer had used. It wasn't the one she preferred, but its quality was undeniable.

After a brief adjustment, she began to play the very same piece Jennifer had played.

Just a few notes in, Jennifer's face went pale. "She's playing the exact same piece as me!"

As she turned toward Theo, hurt filled her eyes, but his attention stayed fixed on Olivia. He didn't even look her way. Jealousy rose within her.

Under the lights, Olivia's hands moved swiftly over the keys. Blood slowly soaked through the bandage.

She pushed through the pain and pressed harder on the keys as the image of Theo standing with Jennifer filled her mind, each note carrying the anger, hurt, and defiance she refused to voice.

The rhythm picked up without warning. What began steady soon burst into something fierce and uncontrollable.

A voice broke from the front. "Is that... blood?"

Red spread across the pale surface of the accordion. Olivia's injured hand gave way under the strain, smearing the keys as drops fell onto her gown and stained the floor beneath her.

Still, she didn't stop. Her hands kept moving. The sound climbed higher, sharp and unyielding, pulling everyone in.

"Bravo!" someone called out. Then more voices followed, until the room filled with applause. No one could look away.

Set against Jennifer's earlier performance, Olivia's felt overwhelming, like it belonged to a different world entirely.

Moisture gathered in Vernon's eyes. "My poor Olivia," he said quietly. "She's hurt... and she still did this for me."

Under the lights, Olivia sat there, pale and stained with blood, yet nothing in her expression wavered.

From the crowd, several young heirs watched closely, their admiration clear. Even a well-known playboy let out a low whistle. "Mrs. Harvey... you're something else."

Watching from where he sat, something twisted inside Theo. A possessive tension settled deep within him.

Jennifer caught it. Her expression tightened.

Why?!

Even like this, Olivia still outshone her.

Even like this, she still held his attention.

The thought burned, and a decision formed. She wouldn't let this continue much longer.

When the last note faded, Olivia slipped away to the restroom to tend to her hand. The moment she stepped back out, Theo grabbed her and pushed her against the wall.

He closed the distance between them without hesitation, his hold firm and unrelenting. She pushed against him, but his grip didn't loosen.

What he had seen on that stage stayed with him. The way others looked at her stirred something he couldn't ignore. All he wanted was to keep her away from them.

When she finally drew in a breath, he pulled back slightly, his hand still holding her in place. His voice dropped. "Olivia, you belong with me. Don't forget that."