His Dangerous Love On Ice (Olivia and Zane) novel Chapter 85

OLIVE’s POV

Janet stood near the edge of the patio, wearing a cream color gown, her hair perfect, her makeup flawless. She was holding some discussion with a small group of women, all of them laughing at something she’d said.

Our eyes instantly met across the space.

Her expression flickered with surprise, and then calculation, as she was plotting something.

She excused herself from her group and began walking toward e.

My stomach instantly twisted into knots..

“Olive.” Her voice was bright, and cheerful. “Darling, there you are!”

She reached me and air-kissed both my cheeks-a performance for everyone watching.

“You look lovely,” she said, though her eyes were scanning every nch of me, cataloging, calculating. “That dress is quite bold for a family gathering, isn’t it?”

I think it’s perfect,” I said back sharply.

“Of course you do.” Her smile tightened. “I heard you arrived in quite the vehicle. A gift, they say?”

Yes.”

“How generous of Mr. Mercer. The way she said his name made it sound like an accusation and of course knows him. “Though one does wonder what you did to earn such… extravagant gifts.”

The implication hung in the air.

Before I could respond. Grayson appeared at my side.

“Janet, that’s enough.”

“I’m simply making conversation, Grayson.” She laughed lightly. Surely I’m allowed to be curious about my step niece’s sudden change in circumstances.”

“Your step niece has been working hard and is in a healthy relationship. That’s all you need to know.”

Janet’s smile became sharp “A healthy relationship. How quaint. She turned back to me. “Tell me, Olive, how does it feel to be dating a man who could buy and sell this entire family ten times over?”

“It feels like none of your business,” I said quietly.

Her eyes widened, surprised by my directness.

“Well,” she said after a moment, “someone’s gotten bold.”

“Someone’s gotten tired of your implications.” I replied back again sharply but still maintaining my same facade.

The patio had gone quiet. People were definitely watching now.

Janet’s face flushed. “You have never spoken back to me like that since you were sixteen-”

“You’ve been tolerating me since I was sixteen, I corrected. “There’s a difference. You’ve made it very clear over the years

that I’m not really a part of this family. So enough with the sick pretense.”

“How dare you-

“She’s right Janet. Let her be.”

Everyone turned.

Grayson stood there, his expression harder than I’d ever seen it.

“Olive has been nothing but respectful to this family for years, and you have treated her abominably. That ends tonight.”

“Grayson-Janet started.

“No” He shook his head. “I’m serious, Janet. Olive is my stepdaughter. She’s family. And she deserves better than this.”

He turned to me, and his expression softened.

“I’m sorry, so sorry about my sister’s attitude. And you are always welcome in your home, Olive. In my life. In anywhere you want to be in. You are brilliant and kind and worthy of every good thing that comes to you. Do you understand?”

My throat felt tight. “Yes.”

He pulled me into a hug, and I felt something break inside me, something that had been holding together since we started. having this dispute.

“I love you,” he said quietly, just for me. “You’re my daughter. No by blood, but by choice. And that matters more.”

I couldn’t speak. Could only nod against his shoulder as tears threatened to spill.

When he pulled back, he looked at Janet with an expression I’d never seen before.

“Anyone who has a problem with Olive has a problem with me. that clear?”

Janet’s face was pale, her jaw tight. “Crystal clear brother.”

The party slowly resumed, people returning to their conversations, but the energy had shifted.

I instantly excused myself, needing a moment to breathe. I found a quiet corner near the garden, away from the crowd, and pulled out my phone.

There was no text rom Zane, and for a second, I felt my heart clenched but I instantly pushed it down.

I was about to walk out from the garden when I saw Janet and my mother, and my mother looking quite disoriented and I knew what the talk was going to be about.

I instantly hid by a column, as they stopped just a few feet away.

Interested to hear what the new nagging Janet was about to spill.

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