The last of the golden sun dipped below the horizon, casting the Birmingham estate in a dusky glow. The string quartet on the terrace played a soft, romantic tune as waiters glided between guests, offering crystal flutes of champagne and delicate hors d'oeuvres. The scent of fresh roses, woven into elaborate centerpieces, clung to the air with a cloying sweetness. It was the perfect evening. The perfect performance.
And Olivia could feel it beginning to unravel.
She stood at Ezra’s side near the marble fountain, their fingers laced together in a perfect display of unity. From a distance, they must have looked blissful—two lovers lost in the intoxicating glow of their engagement. She smiled graciously at guests who approached, exchanging pleasant words with people whose names she would forget by morning.
But her eyes kept drifting back to Mr. Birmingham and Victoria, who stood near the balcony. Their postures were rigid, their smiles brittle. Olivia could feel their gazes slicing through her, watching for any sign of weakness. Every time she met Victoria’s eyes, she was greeted with a polite smile that was laced with venom.
And then there was Valerie.
The woman had positioned herself strategically near the hedge-lined path leading to the estate’s gardens. Her gown was an elegant emerald green, the color highlighting her striking features and delicate frame. But beneath the mask of effortless poise, her eyes glimmered with barely concealed rage. She had been watching Olivia all night, her champagne flute trembling ever so slightly with each shallow breath she took.
Olivia felt the weight of it all pressing against her chest—the lies, the deception, the constant scrutiny. She felt as though she were walking a tightrope with no safety net below. And she knew, without a doubt, that both Victoria and Valerie were waiting for her to fall.
---
The Private Confrontation
As the evening stretched on, Ezra gently tugged Olivia toward the edge of the terrace, guiding her away from the crowd. His fingers curled protectively around her hand as they crossed the garden path, the sound of music fading behind them.
“Breathe,” he murmured softly, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. “You’re doing perfectly.”
She exhaled shakily, barely realizing she had been holding her breath. When she turned to him, her eyes were filled with an anxious vulnerability she had carefully masked in front of the others.
“Ezra… I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up,” she admitted softly. “Your father barely looked at me without scowling. Victoria… she’s playing a game I can’t see. And Valerie…” She glanced back at the crowd, her voice lowering, “she looks like she wants to kill me.”
Ezra cupped her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. His gaze was steady, unwavering.
“We’ve come too far, Olivia. We knew they’d fight us, but they won’t win. You were brilliant tonight. They won’t know what hit them.” His voice was filled with conviction, but there was a quiet desperation beneath it—a need to convince not just her, but himself.
She nodded, trying to absorb his reassurance. She rested her hands on his chest, letting herself feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her palms.
But their moment of reprieve was short-lived.
“Such a pretty picture you two make.”
The voice was unmistakable. Smooth, honeyed, but dripping with venom. Valerie.
Olivia turned slowly, schooling her expression into polite curiosity. Ezra’s body stiffened beside her, his hand instinctively moving to the small of Olivia’s back. A subtle, protective gesture.
Valerie approached with slow, deliberate steps, her heels clicking softly against the stone path. Her emerald gown shimmered in the garden lights, the color deceptively beautiful, belying the fury that burned in her eyes.
“I couldn’t help but notice how utterly… convincing you two are,” Valerie mused, her tone light but sharp enough to cut. “I mean, anyone would think you were truly in love.”
Ezra’s eyes narrowed. “Valerie,” he greeted curtly, his voice a warning.
But Olivia forced a smile, keeping her expression calm and pleasant. “You flatter us,” she replied smoothly, refusing to take the bait.
Valerie’s eyes glimmered with malice as she stepped closer. Too close. Her gaze locked with Olivia’s, and the false smile on her lips fell away, leaving nothing but raw hatred in its place.
“You’re a fraud,” she hissed, her voice low and laced with venom. “I see through you. You think you can just waltz into Ezra’s life and take everything that was meant to be mine?”
Olivia’s stomach twisted, but she didn’t falter. She kept her smile serene, her eyes steady. “I’m sorry you feel that way,” she said softly, feigning sympathy.
But Valerie wasn’t done. She took another step forward, her eyes flickering with wild, unhinged desperation.
“He’s too blind to see it now, but he will,” she spat. “One day, he’ll see you for the opportunistic little liar you are. You don’t deserve him.” Her voice cracked slightly, her mask slipping as grief and rage mingled in her eyes. “You never did.”
Before Olivia could respond, Ezra’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding.
“Enough.”
His arm tightened protectively around Olivia, his voice cold and final. His eyes blazed with fury as he stared Valerie down.
“You’re making a scene,” he said, his voice low but threatening. “Walk away. Now.”
Valerie’s eyes widened slightly at the venom in his tone, the finality in his words. She glanced between him and Olivia, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
“I loved you,” she whispered, her voice trembling with heartbreak. “I waited for you. I would have done anything for you.”
Ezra’s expression remained hard, unmoved. He didn’t offer her a word of comfort.
Without another glance, he turned his back on her, guiding Olivia away from the garden path.
But Valerie’s voice rang out, raw with rage.
“You’ll regret this, Ezra!” she hissed, her voice cracking. “Both of you will!”
---
Victoria Makes Her Move
Back on the terrace, Mr. Birmingham stood stiffly near the balustrade, his lips pressed into a thin line as he watched his son and Olivia disappear into the garden. His eyes were cold, calculating.
Victoria glided toward him, a champagne flute dangling gracefully between her fingers. She watched her husband from the corner of her eye, her lips curling slightly at his barely contained fury.
“Darling,” she murmured, her voice velvety smooth, “you really must stop scowling. You’ll frighten the guests.”
Mr. Birmingham’s eyes flicked to her, sharp and filled with ire.
“This farce has gone on long enough,” he muttered darkly. “That woman is making a fool of my son.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh, I agree,” she cooed, running her fingers lightly along the rim of her glass. “But breaking them apart will require a more… delicate touch.”
Her lips curved into a predatory smile. She took a slow sip of her champagne before turning to him.
“Let me handle it.”
Mr. Birmingham’s eyes narrowed. He studied her, trying to gauge her intention. But Victoria’s smile remained inscrutable—calm, elegant, and laced with menace.
“I’ll take care of Olivia,” she purred softly, her eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction. “By the time I’m done with her, Ezra won’t even remember her name.”
---
The Escape Plan Takes Shape
Later that night, Olivia stood in the grand bedroom she shared with Ezra. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her fingers brushing over the diamond ring on her finger. The symbol of their deception.
She turned slightly, feeling Ezra’s arms circle around her waist from behind. His breath was warm against her neck, his lips brushing softly against her shoulder.
“You were perfect tonight,” he whispered against her skin.
She leaned back into him, closing her eyes briefly. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine that it was real—the love, the safety, the promise of forever.
But it wasn’t. Not yet.
She met his gaze in the mirror, her voice barely above a whisper.
“They’re closing in on us, Ezra.”
He held her tighter, his grip firm and reassuring.
“Let them,” he murmured darkly, his eyes glinting with determination. “We’ll be long gone by then.”
And for the first time that night, Olivia allowed herself to believe him.