As Livinus approached Jackson Damian, he asked a few questions before calmly inquiring, “You’re Jackson Damian, correct?”
Jackson Damian froze in place. Even after Livinus walked away, he couldn’t process how the CEO knew his name.
—
The Scott family had been in chaos lately. Sophia, ever the outsider to the family drama, heard gossip from Nancy. According to her, Kim Brown, who appeared gentle and mild-mannered, was far from weak. She had already ordered Olivia to move out of the Scott household.
But Olivia wasn’t an easy opponent. Instead of leaving quietly, she retaliated by hiring people to smear Kim Brown’s reputation online, making it impossible for Kim Brown to secure a better partner in the industry.
At the same time, Olivia stubbornly refused to move out.
“Even if Henry doesn’t like me, I’m still the mother of his child. I carry the Scott family’s heir. And you? You’re not even his wife—you’re just his girlfriend. What gives you the right to tell me to leave?” Olivia sneered.
Kim Brown was livid, and the two frequently clashed. But Olivia, with her thick skin, refused to back down.
In her view, as long as she didn’t leave, the Scott family wouldn’t forcibly evict her. This gave her room to maneuver. Moving out without a clear resolution or compensation would be a huge loss for her. And besides, if she left now, returning later would be nearly impossible. Who would look after her child, and what about her claim to the Scott family’s wealth?
Olivia calculated her moves carefully. She was determined not to leave, knowing that staying gave her a better chance to secure her position and the benefits she desired.
Livinus glanced at her, his deep voice firm yet calm. “In my eyes, there’s no such thing as ‘too expensive’ when it comes to you.”
His words silenced Sophia for a moment. She had always been pragmatic, valuing practicality over extravagance, but this man had a way of making her feel cherished in ways she wasn’t accustomed to.
She sighed softly. “It’s not about whether you can afford it or not. It’s about balance. I don’t want our relationship to feel like it’s measured by how much money you spend.”
Livinus’s expression softened, and a rare smile tugged at his lips. “I understand your concern, but this isn’t just a gift. It’s a promise.”
“A promise?” she echoed, surprised.
He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “I don’t want you to think this is casual. I’ve always been clear about my intentions, and this ring symbolizes that clarity.”
Sophia felt her heartbeat quicken. His words carried a weight she hadn’t fully anticipated. She had always approached their relationship with a certain level of caution, unwilling to make it public or overly defined. But his actions and words were making it increasingly difficult to maintain her emotional distance.
She hesitated, her fingers lightly brushing over the stunning blue diamond. “It’s beautiful. And I do love it. But promises aren’t made with jewelry; they’re made with actions.”
Livinus chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Then let my actions match my words. But for now, keep this as a reminder.”
He reached over, his fingers brushing against hers as he placed the ring box back in her hands. “I don’t expect an answer today, nor am I rushing you. Take your time. I just want you to know how serious I am about us.”
Sophia held the box, her emotions a mix of warmth and unease. She looked at him, his gaze steady and full of conviction. “You always know how to leave me speechless.”
“That’s my intention,” he said with a small smirk. “Now, shall we grab some dinner? I made reservations at your favorite place.”
As the car smoothly glided through the city streets, Sophia couldn’t help but steal a glance at the man beside her. Despite his composed exterior and businesslike demeanor, there was something deeply sincere in the way he treated her—a sincerity that was starting to dismantle the walls she had so carefully built around herself.
Sophia froze for a moment, surprised to see Olivia standing there, heavily pregnant. Her expression was gloomy, her face pale despite the attempt to cover it with makeup and sunglasses.
“Olivia?” Sophia replied calmly, masking her surprise.
Olivia’s gaze swept over her with a mixture of disdain and frustration. “So it’s true,” she said, her voice cold. “You’re with Livinus.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “And what’s that got to do with you?”
Olivia let out a short, bitter laugh. “Don’t act so self-righteous. You think you’re better than me? You’re just another woman in his life. Do you really think you’ll be any different in the long run?”
Sophia, unaffected by the jab, maintained her composure. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. But you should be more concerned about your own situation than mine.”
Olivia’s hand instinctively went to her belly. She looked as though she wanted to say something harsh but stopped herself, her lips trembling. Finally, she hissed, “You don’t understand the kind of person you’re dealing with. People like him, they never truly commit to anyone.”
Sophia sighed, already weary of the conversation. “If you’re here to warn me or throw insults, I suggest you save your energy. You’ve got more important things to focus on—like the baby you’re carrying.”
Olivia stiffened, her face contorting with a mix of anger and vulnerability. “Don’t you dare lecture me! You think you’re above it all, don’t you? You think you’ve won just because you’re with him now?”
Sophia didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she glanced at her watch and said, “If you’re done, I have things to do.”
Turning to leave, she heard Olivia call after her, her voice laced with desperation. “He won’t stay with you forever! One day, you’ll see!”
Sophia didn’t respond, walking away without looking back. She felt a mix of pity and frustration. Olivia’s life had become a tangled mess, and yet she seemed incapable of taking responsibility for her own choices.
As Sophia headed toward the hospital’s administrative office, she couldn’t help but think of how drastically her life had changed in the past year. From a woman with no ties to anyone in this world to someone who had unexpectedly found herself in a serious relationship with a man like Livinus, her journey had been anything but conventional.
But Olivia’s words lingered in her mind longer than she cared to admit. Could someone like Livinus truly commit?
Shaking off the thought, she reminded herself that she wasn’t a helpless damsel. She had come this far by staying grounded, and she wasn’t about to let doubt cloud her judgment now.
