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."

After he spoke, Theo's eyes lingered on Olivia's face, tracing the shock in her gaze and the sweep of her lashes. His throat moved as he swallowed.

Closing the distance, he pushed her further against the wall, then bent down and captured her lips.

Olivia turned her head at once, trying to avoid him, but his grip held her steady. There was no room to escape.

A spark of resistance flashed in her eyes. Without hesitation, she sank her teeth into his lower lip.

A sharp sound left him as he pulled back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Blood streaked across his fingers.

When their eyes met again, there was no anger in his expression. Instead, something lighter flickered there. A quiet laugh slipped out. "Olivia... you've got a vicious streak."

He moved closer again, but something made him pause. A slight crease had formed between her brows, and his attention shifted downward. The bandage on her hand had darkened, fresh blood seeping through from the struggle.

The amusement faded from his face. Without speaking, he reached for her uninjured hand.

She tried to pull away, but his breath brushed near her ear, his tone firm. "You don't want to ruin that hand to the point you can't play the accordion again, do you? I'm taking you to have it treated."

The words made her hesitate. The tension left her raised hand, and the fight drained from her. In the end, she let him guide her without resisting.

Not long after, the birthday gathering came to an end. Guests slowly began to leave.

Outside, rain fell heavily. Sitting in her wheelchair, Jennifer looked uneasy. "Theo... it's raining hard out there."

Her gaze dropped for a moment, landing on her legs.

Theo's voice softened instantly. "Don't head out in this weather. There are enough rooms here. Stay for the night."

Moisture gathered in Jennifer's eyes. "Thank you, Theo."

That brief exchange between them made something twist inside Olivia. The emotion rose fast, pressing against her chest.

So it wasn't a misunderstanding. His attention had always been on Jennifer.

From the side, Vernon caught the shift in Olivia's face. A quiet sigh passed through him before he spoke, his tone firm. "Theo. You and Olivia will stay in the master suite tonight. Neither of you is leaving."

Theo started to speak. "Jennifer—"

Before he could finish, Vernon waved him off and pushed Olivia and him toward the room. "Go get some rest. Jennifer's not helpless. The staff can take care of her."

Theo tried to argue, but one look from Vernon made him stop.

From her spot, Jennifer watched them go, her jaw tightening as her hands curled against her palms.

As soon as they stepped into the bedroom, a maid followed with two glasses of milk.

Keeping her voice low, she said, "Mr. Vernon Harvey asked me to bring these. He said it would help you sleep."

"Tell him thank you," Olivia muttered, taking one glass and sipping from it.

Without a second thought, Theo finished half of his.

Once the maid left, Olivia turned to him, her tone cold. "I'll sleep on the sofa. You can take the bed."

Heading for the sofa, Olivia barely made a step before Theo grabbed her wrist. "Olivia, we need to talk. Things with Jennifer aren't what you're thinking."

Her expression didn't change. "I don't care what it is."

Holding her gaze, he asked quietly, "Do you really want to end this?"

"I do."

The answer had just left her lips when he pulled her into his arms, letting out a breath. "There's nothing going on between me and her. I mean it."

She pushed against him, trying to break free, but his grip only tightened.

"Do you really think I'd believe that?" Her voice shook. "I want a divorce!"

To cut her off, he leaned in and kissed her.

Olivia struggled, trying to push him away, but something caught her attention. His skin looked flushed, and sweat had started to gather along his temples. Heat radiated from him.

Before she could react, he guided her to the bed, pressing close as he buried his face near her neck, drawing in a shaky breath. "Olivia... I've missed you."

His lips moved along her skin, restless and unsteady.

Her thoughts stalled. What was wrong with him? She tried again to push him away—Then she realized it.

The milk.

She barely had time to react before he claimed her lips again, forceful and unrelenting.

"Theo, stop—let me go!" she managed to say, her breath uneven.

Instead of pulling back, he silenced her again, not giving her the chance to continue.

Her resistance seemed to provoke him further. His fingers caught her chin, his voice low and heated. "Was this your doing? Did you plan this? Isn't this what you wanted?"

Warmth rushed to Olivia's face, her thoughts slipping out of order.

A strange heat spread through her, settling deep and hard to ignore.

What made it worse was the truth she couldn't deny—her feelings for him hadn't disappeared.

She met his gaze, seeing the intensity in his eyes, something raw beneath the anger. Her strength began to falter. Slowly, her hands lifted and rested around his neck. The struggle faded. She stopped pushing him away.

Just this once. Only this time.

The air between them grew heavy. Whatever had taken hold of Theo only made it stronger, his breathing turning uneven. One hand stayed low against her, while the other moved without restraint.

Beneath him, Olivia stayed still, her face flushed, her eyes unfocused.

Right when everything reached its peak—a sudden knock broke through the silence.

A dangerous edge took over Theo's face. "Not now," he responded sharply. "Leave us alone."

From outside, a soft voice came through, shaking slightly. "Theo? It's me... My leg really hurts. Could you... help me get some painkillers?"

Everything in Theo went still. His breathing remained uneven, rising and falling hard. The heat from the drug still coursed through him, yet Jennifer's voice cut through it.

He shut his eyes for a moment, then forced himself to pull away from Olivia.

Lying there, Olivia watched him—his body tense, sweat clinging to his skin, yet his attention already shifting toward the door for someone else. Reaching out, she caught his wrist and spoke in a low, strained voice. "Theo... you're leaving? Right now?"