Logan watched her progress from a respectful distance, always ready with a word of encouragement or a helping hand when she struggled. He knew that for Olivia to truly succeed, she needed to believe in herself as much as he believed in her. In turn, Olivia began to see Logan not just as a savior, but as a partner. His constant, steady presence and his unshakeable faith in her were slowly dismantling the defensive walls she had spent years building around her heart.
Olivia’s new routine quickly took shape. Mornings were dedicated to her studies in the quiet, sunlit office Logan had prepared for her, while Harper and Hazel’s happy laughter drifted in from the rooftop garden. At first, every textbook felt like an insurmountable obstacle, but gradually, she found her academic footing. Logan’s quiet, steadfast encouragement was a powerful motivator.
One afternoon, as Olivia was poring over her notes, Logan entered the office, his expression uncharacteristically grave. She sensed immediately that something was amiss.
“We need to talk,” he said, closing the door softly behind him.
A knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach. “What is it?”
“I found someone from your past,” he began, sitting in the chair opposite her. “Jake Miller.”
The name landed like a physical blow, echoing in the silent room. Jake. The man who had shattered her heart and abandoned her in her most desperate hour. The father her daughters had never known. Olivia drew a slow, deliberate breath, fighting to control the tidal wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
“What does he have to do with anything?” she asked, her voice surprisingly steady.
“I’ve been doing some digging. I wanted to have a clearer picture of what happened to you after high school. I located Jake, and I decided to confront him.”
“You did what?” Olivia shot to her feet, her composure crumbling.
“I had to know the truth,” he said calmly. “I needed to understand what he did to you, and why he would abandon you and the girls.”
“Logan, you had no right to do that!”
“Perhaps not,” he conceded. “But I did it for you.”
Olivia sank back into her chair, her chest tight with a confusing mix of anger and gratitude. She knew his intentions were good, but the thought of Jake being dragged back into her life, even peripherally, felt like tearing open a wound that had never properly healed.
“What did he say?” she finally asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Logan rested his elbows on the desk and sighed heavily. “He admitted everything. He said he knew you were pregnant but didn’t want the responsibility. He claimed it was just easier to disappear.”
A bitter, familiar anger rose in Olivia’s throat. She hadn’t expected anything less from Jake, but hearing his cowardly excuses confirmed aloud was still a sting.
“Did he… did he ask about the girls?” she asked, her eyes welling with tears.
“No,” Logan said, his voice hard. “He didn’t even ask if they were boys or girls.”
Olivia clenched her fists, willing herself not to break down. As much as she despised Jake, a foolish, secret part of her had always harbored a sliver of hope that one day he might feel a pang of remorse, or at least a flicker of curiosity about the children he had created.
Logan rose from his chair and came around the desk, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Olivia, you don’t have to face this alone. I’m here for you.”
She looked up at him, battling the urge to completely unravel. “Thank you, Logan. But some things I have to deal with on my own.”
That night, long after she had tucked the girls into bed, Olivia sat alone at the massive kitchen island, staring into a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. Logan’s revelation about Jake replayed in her mind like a haunting echo. She knew then that in order to truly move forward, she had to confront her past one last time, on her own terms.
For the next few days, Olivia tried to maintain her routine, but her concentration was shattered. The ghost of Jake, and the confrontation Logan had described, hung over her like a dark cloud. Logan, sensing her turmoil, wisely gave her space, though he watched her with quiet concern.
Then, one morning, she made a decision. With trembling hands, she found Jake’s number and dialed. He answered after several rings, his voice lazy and indifferent.
“Jake, it’s Olivia. We need to talk.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “About what? It’s been a long time.”
“It’s about the girls. Our daughters. You’ve never shown any interest in knowing them, but that has to change. Not for my sake, but for theirs.”
Jake sighed, a sound of pure annoyance. “Olivia, I thought I made my position clear years ago. I don’t want to be a part of that. What do you want from me? An apology? Because you’re not going to get one.”
Olivia’s heart constricted, but she kept her voice firm. “So you’ll never meet them? You’ll never take any responsibility for their existence?”
“I’ve moved on, Olivia. I suggest you do the same.” Before she could utter another word, the line went dead.
She stood there, phone in hand, the dial tone buzzing in her ear. The conversation had left an empty, hollow feeling inside her, but it was also the brutal closure she had needed. It was the final, undeniable confirmation that Jake Miller would never be a part of her daughters’ lives.
When Logan returned home that evening, he found her sitting on the living room sofa, watching the twins sleep peacefully beside her. He sat down in the armchair opposite her, waiting for her to speak.
“I talked to Jake,” she said at last, her voice devoid of emotion.
Logan’s brow furrowed. “And how did it go?”
“Exactly as you’d expect. He wants nothing to do with them. He feels absolutely nothing.”
Logan’s jaw clenched, his anger palpable. “He doesn’t deserve to know what he’s missing.”
Olivia looked at her daughters, a sad smile touching her lips. “I didn’t do it for him. I did it for them. And for me. I needed to know for certain that there was nothing left to hope for from him. And now I know.”
“What happens now?” Logan asked gently.
“Now, I move on,” she declared, a new strength resonating in her voice. “I won’t let my girls grow up in the shadow of a father who never wanted them.”
Logan nodded, filled with admiration for her resilience. He could see the pain she still carried, but he could also see a fierce, renewed determination shining in her eyes.
The next morning, Logan surprised her with a small, thoughtful gift: a beautiful leather-bound journal and an elegant fountain pen.
“What’s this?” she asked, a curious smile on her face.
“A tool,” he replied. “For you to design your future. I want you to write down your goals, your dreams, and the steps you need to take to achieve them. We’ll work on it together.”
Olivia’s smile widened, genuinely touched by his gesture. “Thank you, Logan. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’d be doing exactly what you’re doing now,” he said. “Rebuilding. I’m just here to make sure you have every resource you need to succeed.”
With Logan’s unwavering support, Olivia threw herself back into her studies, more determined than ever to create a stable, loving life for herself and her daughters. The confrontation with Jake, though painful, had been liberating. Now, she knew with absolute certainty that she no longer needed to look back. Her future, and her family’s future, was forward.
The days melted into a comfortable and productive rhythm. Olivia dedicated herself entirely to her studies and to raising her daughters, while Logan remained a constant, supportive presence in their lives. The bond between them deepened, evolving into a partnership built on mutual respect and quiet acts of care.
One afternoon, as Olivia was reviewing a complex business proposal for one of her classes, Logan entered the living room with a folder in hand and a mysterious smile playing on his lips. She looked up, intrigued.
“What’s that?” she asked, setting her textbook aside.
“An opportunity,” he said, handing her the folder. Inside was a job description and a preliminary contract. She read the title: Project Assistant, Bennett Enterprises. She looked at him, her expression a mixture of confusion and surprise. “Are you offering me a job?”
“I’m not trying to pressure you, Olivia,” he said quickly. “But I thought this could be an excellent way for you to gain practical experience and apply what you’re learning in a real-world setting. It would be a temporary position, with the flexibility you need to continue your studies and care for the girls.”
Olivia hesitated, her eyes scanning the details of the offer. It was incredibly generous, but she felt a flicker of apprehension. Working so closely with Logan could complicate the fragile, evolving emotional connection between them.
“Logan, I’m not sure I’m qualified for this. I don’t have any real-world experience.”
“You have more than you think,” he countered. “You’re a quick learner and you’ve already demonstrated an incredible ability to handle adversity. And I’m not offering you this as a favor. I genuinely believe you have the potential to be a valuable asset to my team.”
His words were sincere, and she could feel the reassuring weight of his confidence in her. She knew that accepting the position would be a monumental step forward, but she was terrified of failing to meet his expectations. After a long moment of silence, Olivia took a deep breath and offered him a small, determined smile.
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
