OLIVIA
After Ethan cut the call, silence remained in the room with only my sniffing could be heard. To say I was hurt would have been an understatement. He was right, we always overlooked him, maybe it was because he never caused trouble or maybe it was because he was the level-headed one.
I didn’t know. All I knew was that after my life settled, I forgot about him and the role he played in my life. the role he played in Samuel’s life and how I got to be where I was. How my son got to live after those harsh conditions in prison.
When things were going well for me, when I was happy, I forgot that he needed to be happy too. That he craved the same happiness I had. I dismissed his woman, didn’t listen when he begged me to let him be with her.
He didn’t need to do that, I was not his mother, and he didn’t need my permission to be with her, but he asked for it because he cared about what I thought. But what did I do with that? I threw it back at his face.
All because of my fears, he was right about the fact that he did nothing to hurt me in the past and all the shit we went through was mainly caused by Nick and I. yet, he never blamed me, not even once.
Instead, when there was trouble, he jumped in headfirst and asked questions later. “There you have it.” I glared at Elodie, what right did she have to say anything at that point when she too turned her back on me?
“I don’t think you should be saying anything at this point, you too were quick to turn against me and take your son’s side, resenting me and making my life hell. Ethan was the one who was by my side even then. You have no right to say anything in this situation as you are exactly like me.”
I was shaking in anger; I knew that my anger was not only directed at her. I was angry with myself as well for what I had done. Ethan resorted to such extreme measures because of what I had done.
“Honey, calm down.” I threw a glare at him. I told him to stop controlling people. I told him those were our friends not his employees. But then again, I said that too late, when the damage had already been done.
“What is the point of being angry and crying over spilled milk now? the damage has already been done. The good news is that Samuel is safe and having fun with his father. what more can we ask for?”
Guilt ate away at me when he said that. my talk with Ethan combined with what my husband said to her was enough for her to want to run for the hills. “The sad part about this is that Ethan really liked her. she is the first woman he has taken seriously since college; you messed up on this one Olivia and I don’t think there is any way you can fix this.”
“You don’t have to put all the blame on her, I had a hand in this as well.” Marcus countered. There was no point in arguing about who did what. “Why don’t you stop trying to fix things for once and start listening.”
We all turned to my dad. “If you heard him right, Ethan said he wanted courtesy, consideration, and respect. What part of you trying to fix his love life is covered in those?” silence, he was not helping but he was not wrong either.
“Why don’t you just sit back and wait for him to come back then talk to him. apologize for forgetting everything he has done for you. he has been there for you through your toughest times and when he needed you.” he shook his head making me feel even worse.
“You turned your back on him, in my world, that gets men killed. But in yours, you lose friends and the most important people in your life. I hope you will learn from this and do better going forward.”
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