Olivia's POV

The day flew by in a blur of paperwork and meetings. I was still piling up files at my desk when my phone buzzed.

"Shit!" I glanced at the time. 6:45 PM.

Marcus's party. I'd completely forgotten about our little "appointment." Not that I was eager to attend, but I needed to see what new games he and his conspirators were playing.

I rushed to the company shower, my ankle still throbbing beneath the cast. The warm water did little to ease the tension in my shoulders. Whatever they were planning tonight, I needed to stay sharp.

Stepping out with a towel wrapped around me, I nearly collided with a broad chest.

"Marcus?" I gasped. "What are you doing here?"

His eyes traveled down my barely-covered body, and I clutched the towel tighter to my body.

"Picking you up, of course." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Can't have my beautiful wife arrive alone."

"I told you I'd come myself."

"Change of plans." He dangled his car keys. "I'll wait outside while you get dressed."

Twenty minutes later, we were in his sleek black Audi, tension thick between us. He placed his hand on my thigh, and it took everything in me not to flinch.

"You look stunning," he said, eyes fixed on the road.

"Thanks." I stared out the window, wondering what humiliation awaited me tonight.

We arrived at a high-end hotel downtown. Marcus was the perfect gentleman, opening doors, his hand possessively on my lower back as we entered. People turned to stare, whispering behind their hands. The rumors from yesterday were clearly still circulating.

"Smile," Marcus whispered in my ear. "Everyone's watching."

"That's the point, isn't it?" I muttered, but plastered on a fake smile anyway.

As we made our way through the crowd, I spotted a familiar face that made my blood run cold.

"Victoria?"

My adopted sister approached us, champagne glass in hand. Last I heard, she was conspiring with Natalie against me. Now she was beaming like we were best friends.

"Olivia!" She embraced me, the scent of expensive perfume overwhelming. "I'm so glad you came! I've been worried sick about your ankle."

I pulled back, searching her face for signs of deception. "That's new. Last week you barely acknowledged my existence."

She laughed, a tinkling sound that set my teeth on edge. "Water under the bridge! Family is family, right?"

Before I could respond, a hand touched my shoulder. I turned to find Natalie, Marcus's sister who had pushed me off the balcony looking contrite.

"Olivia, I've been looking everywhere for you." Her eyes were red-rimmed, as if she'd been crying. "I need to apologize for yesterday. It was an accident, I swear."

"Sure it was," I said flatly.

She produced two champagne glasses from nowhere. "Please, let me make it up to you. A peace offering?"

I eyed the drinks suspiciously. "Not thirsty, thanks."

Marcus's grip tightened on my waist. "Don't be rude, Olivia. Natalie's trying to apologize."

"I'm not angry," I said coolly. "Just not interested in drinking."

"Take it," Marcus hissed in my ear, his fingers digging into my side.

I looked at the two glasses and had a sudden inspiration. "If you're really sorry, Natalie, why don't you drink both? Show me there's nothing to worry about."

Natalie's face paled. "I..."

Before she could finish, Marcus snatched one glass and gripped my jaw with his free hand. "Stop being difficult," he growled, forcing the rim against my lips.

The liquid spilled into my mouth before I could stop it. I swallowed reflexively, panic rising in my chest.

"Excuse me," I choked out, pulling away from Marcus. "Bathroom."

I limped as quickly as my injured ankle would allow, locking myself in a stall. Whatever they'd put in that drink, I needed to get it out now. I stuck two fingers down my throat, gagging until everything came up. Tears streamed down my face as I heaved again and again, making sure my stomach was empty.

After cleaning myself up, I slipped out of the bathroom and found an empty conference room down the hall. My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and dialed.

"David? It's Olivia. I need you."

David Lawrence was more than my lawyer, he was the only person besides Jane I truly trusted. And lately, I'd noticed the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn't paying attention.

"What's wrong?" His voice was instantly alert. "Where are you?"

I gave him the address. "Please hurry."

Fifteen minutes later, David appeared in the doorway of my hideout, concern etched on his handsome face.

"You look terrible," he said bluntly.

I laughed despite myself. "Thanks. Just what a girl wants to hear."

He closed the door behind him. "What happened?"

I told him everything, the drugged drink, Marcus's behavior, Victoria's suspicious friendliness, everything entirely.

"We need to get you out of here," David said, his jaw tight with anger. "And you need to start divorce proceedings. This is beyond toxic, Olivia."

"I can't leave yet. I need evidence of what they're planning."

"You're not safe here." He ran a hand through his dark hair. "At least let me get you home."

We shared a bottle of water he had in his jacket pocket, the simple act of kindness nearly bringing me to tears after everything that had happened.

"Come on," he said, helping me up. "Let's go before they realize you're missing."

We'd almost made it to the parking lot when a sickly-sweet voice called out behind us.

"Olivia! There you are!"

Natalie hurried toward us, fake concern plastered across her face. "We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"I'm not feeling well," I said. "David's taking me home."

She glanced at David's hand supporting my elbow, her eyes narrowing. "Marcus is your husband. He should be the one taking care of you."

Before David could respond, Marcus appeared, his expression thunderous when he saw us together.

"What the hell is this?" he demanded, yanking my hand away from David's.

"Your wife was feeling unwell," David said coolly. "Something about a drink someone forced her to take."

Marcus's glare could have melted steel. "This is between me and my wife. Back off, Lawrence."

"Olivia asked for my help," David stood his ground. "And considering you just tried to...."

"It's a lover's quarrel," Natalie interrupted, smiling sweetly at David. "You understand, don't you? They'll work it out."

"No!" I tried to pull away from Marcus. "David, don't listen to them."

But Marcus was already dragging me toward his car, his grip bruising my wrist.

"We're going home," he growled. "Now."

I looked back desperately at David, who was being physically blocked by Natalie and two security guards who'd appeared out of nowhere.

As Marcus shoved me into the passenger seat, one thought crystallized in my mind. This wasn't just a toxic marriage anymore. It is now a war...

Olivia's POV

The moment David's car disappeared from view, Marcus yanked me out of where he'd shoved me. My ankle throbbed as I stumbled forward, nearly falling.

"Did you really think you could leave with him?" Marcus growled, his fingers digging into my arm.

Tears welled in my eyes but I blinked them back. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Natalie rushed over, her fake smile plastered on her face. "Why so serious, Olivia? We were just playing with you! It was just a bit of fun."

"Fun?" My voice trembled. "You pushed me off a balcony and maybe tried to drug me!"

Victoria appeared next to Natalie, arms crossed. "You shouldn't take everything so personally. God, you've always been such a drama queen."

They forced me back into the hotel, Natalie gripping one arm, Marcus the other. People stared as we passed through the lobby, but no one stepped in. To them, we probably looked like friends helping a drunk woman.

Once we reached a private lounge area, Marcus checked his watch. "I need to take care of something. Don't let her leave." He glanced at Victoria and Natalie before walking away.

The moment he disappeared, their fake smiles vanished.

"You think you're so special, don't you?" Victoria sneered, leaning in close. "Marcus never loved you. You were just convenient."

The words cut deeper than I wanted to admit. "You don't know anything about our marriage."

Natalie laughed, the sound like broken glass. "We know everything. Marcus tells Sophia everything. How you bore him. How he married you for your family connections."

"That's not true." But my voice lacked conviction even to my own ears.

"Poor little Olivia," Victoria taunted. "Always thinking you belong when you never did. Not in our family, not with Marcus."

My chest tightened. "You're my sister."

"Adopted sister," Victoria corrected, her eyes cold. "And the biggest mistake my parents ever made."

Each word was like a knife in my heart. All those years I'd tried to make her like me, to feel like part of the family, everything wasted.

"Marcus is filing for divorce next week," Natalie added, examining her manicured nails. "He and Sophia are planning to announce their engagement as soon as it's finalized."

I felt dizzy, the room spinning slightly. Was it the emotional bombardment or something else?

Victoria suddenly looked thirsty. "I need a drink," she announced, looking around.

She waved over a waiter, and I felt a flicker of hope. If they hadn't ordered the drinks, maybe I could safely drink something without worrying about being drugged again.

"I'll have a sealed bottle of water," Victoria told the waiter.

While she was distracted, Natalie leaned closer to me. "You know what's the saddest part? Marcus was starting to actually care for you before Sophia came back. Bad timing, I guess."

The waiter returned with a sealed bottle. Victoria twisted it open, the seal breaking with a crack that seemed too loud in the quiet lounge.

I couldn't stop staring at the bottle as Victoria took a sip. My throat felt painfully dry.

"Would you like some?" Victoria offered, her voice suddenly sweet. Too sweet.

I hesitated but my thirst won out. "Yes, please."

Natalie and Victoria exchanged glances as I took the bottle.

"To failed marriages," Victoria toasted as I drank deeply.

The water tasted normal, but within minutes, a strange warmth spread through my limbs. The room began to tilt.

"What did you..." My words slurred. "Did you drug the bottle before the waiter brought it?"

Victoria's smile widened. "So smart, yet so stupid."

"We've been planning this for months," Natalie said, her voice sounding distant now. "Ever since Sophia came back."

I tried to stand but my legs wouldn't cooperate. "Why?"

"Because you have everything we want," Victoria hissed. "The company shares, Marcus's name, our parents' love."

The room spun faster. I needed to get away.

"I... need to use the bathroom," I mumbled, forcing myself to my feet.

They exchanged looks before Natalie nodded. "Don't be long. The fun's just starting."

I staggered to the bathroom, clinging to walls for support. Inside, I splashed cold water on my face, but it didn't help. My reflection showed two of me, both terrified.

"I need to call David," I whispered, fumbling for my phone.

Suddenly, the lights in the bathroom went out. Complete darkness covered me.

"Hello?" My voice echoed against the bathroom tiles. "Is anyone there?"

Panic surged through me. I fumbled for my phone, turning on the flashlight with trembling fingers.

The light caught movement. Two figure in black masks stood by the door, blocking my exit. The light glinted off something metallic in their hands, very sharp daggers.

"Please," I begged, backing up until I hit the wall. "Whatever they're paying you, I'll double it."

They didn't speak. One stepped forward, the blade catching the light from my phone.

"I have money," I pleaded, my voice breaking. "I have a company. Please don't do this."

My limbs felt like lead, the drug making it impossible to fight back or run. The masked figure pushed me, and I collapsed to the floor.

"Please," I sobbed. "I don't want to die."

The tallest among them crouched beside me, knife raised. "Say your last prayer," she whispered.

I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face. Images flashed through my mind, my parents, David's concerned face, even Marcus before everything went wrong.

The dagger descended toward my neck. The bathroom door burst open with a deafening crash....

OLIVIA

The bathroom door exploded inward with a bang that echoed off the tiles. Through my blurred vision, I saw a familiar figure charging through the darkness.

"David?" I whispered, barely conscious.

He didn't hesitate. Grabbing a metal towel rack, he swung it at the first masked woman. The sound of metal hitting bone made me flinch. She screamed and dropped her dagger, blood streaming from her head.

The second woman lunged at him, but David was faster. The towel rack caught her across the shoulder, sending her crashing into the mirror. Glass shattered everywhere with deafening noise.

"Don't move!" David shouted at them, his voice deadly. "Olivia, stay with me."

I tried to respond but darkness was pulling me under. The last thing I heard was David calling 911, his voice urgent and panicked.

"I need an ambulance and police at the Grand Plaza Hotel immediately. Two women just tried to murder someone."

Everything went black...

*****

I woke up to the sound of beeping machines and the smell of antiseptic. My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and my mouth was dry as sandpaper.

"Olivia?" David's voice was soft, worried. "You're awake."

I turned my head slowly. He was sitting beside my hospital bed, his shirt torn and blood on his knuckles. Dark circles shadowed his eyes.

"The women..." I croaked.

"In custody. Both of them." His jaw tightened. "They're not talking, but the police found money transfers from an offshore account."

Before I could ask more questions, the hospital room door burst open. Marcus strode in like he owned the place, Victoria and Natalie trailing behind him. All three wore perfect masks of concern.

"Olivia!" Marcus rushed to my bedside. "My God, what happened to you?"

I stared at him in disbelief. How could he stand there acting innocent when he knew exactly what had happened?

"Where were you?" David stood up, blocking Marcus from getting closer to me. "Your wife was nearly murdered while you were conveniently absent."

"I was handling business," Marcus replied smoothly. "I had no idea anyone would hurt Olivia."

Victoria stepped forward, her face a picture of fake worry. "This is so terrible. Who would want to hurt our sweet Olivia?"

The audacity made my stomach turn. "You know exactly who," I whispered.

"What are you talking about?" Natalie asked, her voice dripping with false concern. "You're confused from whatever those women gave you."

Dr. Martinez entered, clipboard in hand. His expression was grim. "Mrs. Thompson, you were poisoned with a combination of sedatives and hallucinogens. If Mr. Lawrence hadn't found you when he did..."

He didn't need to finish. We all knew what would have happened.

David's hands clenched into fists. "She was drugged at your party, Marcus. Where were you when someone was trying to kill your wife?"

"Now wait just a minute," Marcus stepped closer to David, his friendly mask slipping. "Don't you dare blame me for this."

"Then explain how she got poisoned under your watch," David shot back. "Explain why you left her alone with people who clearly wanted to hurt her."

I watched the two men face off, tension crackling between them. Marcus was bigger, but David looked ready to tear him apart with his bare hands.

"David found you because your phone call went through at the last second," Dr. Martinez said to me quietly. "He heard you scream and traced your location."

Marcus whipped around. "She called you? Why would she call you instead of me?"

"Because he actually cares if I live or die," I said, my voice stronger now. The drugs were wearing off, and anger was replacing the fog.

Victoria made a disgusted sound. "You're being dramatic again, Olivia. Marcus loves you."

"Does he?" I looked directly at Marcus. "Then why were you planning to file for divorce next week? Why are you and Sophia planning your engagement?"

Marcus's face went white. Natalie and Victoria exchanged panicked glances.

"How did you..." Marcus started.

"They told me," I said. "Right before someone tried to kill me."

David moved closer to my bed, reaching for my hand. "Olivia, you don't have to deal with this now."

Marcus grabbed David's wrist before he could touch me. "Don't. She's my wife."

"Some husband you are," David snarled, jerking free. "She almost died tonight."

"Gentlemen, please," Dr. Martinez intervened. "Mrs. Thompson needs rest."

But neither man backed down. They stared at each other like wolves circling territory.

"I want to know who hired those women," David said, his voice deadly quiet. "And I'm going to find out."

Victoria laughed nervously. "You're acting like we had something to do with it. We're victims here too."

"Are you?" David turned his sharp gaze on her. "Because those offshore payments? They'll be traced. Every transaction, every communication."

Natalie grabbed Victoria's arm. "We should go. Olivia needs rest."

"I'm not going anywhere," Marcus declared, settling into the chair on my other side. "My place is with my wife."

The word 'wife' sounded like a threat coming from his mouth. David's jaw twitched, and I could see him struggling not to punch Marcus.

"Your place?" David's voice was ice. "You weren't there when she needed you. You left her with people who wanted her dead."

"That's enough," Marcus stood up, getting in David's face. "I don't know who you think you are, but.."

"I'm someone who actually gives a damn about her safety," David cut him off.

The tension in the room was suffocating. Victoria stood by the door looking bored, while Natalie kept glancing between the two men nervously.

My heart monitor started beeping faster as stress flooded my system. Both men looked at me with concern, but neither backed down.

"Olivia," Marcus said, his voice softening as he reached for my hand again. "Tell him. Tell him you're my wife and I'm not leaving your side."

David moved to block him. "After what happened tonight? You really think..."

The door opened again, and a police detective walked in. "Mrs. Thompson? I need to ask you some questions about tonight's attack."

Everyone froze. Victoria's face went pale. Natalie stepped closer to the door.

The detective looked around the crowded room. "I'll need to speak with each of you separately about your whereabouts tonight."

Marcus and David were still locked in their staring contest, neither willing to back down. The air crackled with unspoken threats.

But it was Victoria's expression that caught my attention. For just a moment, her mask slipped, and I saw something that chilled me to the bone.

Pure, undiluted hatred.

The detective pulled out his notepad. "Let's start with you, Mr. Thompson. Where exactly were you when your wife was attacked?"