The Beginning Of All Sins

“You can’t just go around helping everyone.”

No longer looking at Sophie, Claude walked away.

Since Sophie got back home, she kept sending messages to Olivia.

[I’m sorry, Olivia. I didn’t mean to keep it from you. Can we please meet and talk?]

[Olivia, please answer.]

[Let’s sort this out, Olivia.]

Olivia felt a bit better after seeing all of Sophie’s messages. She realized that even if she still had feelings for Jacob, being with him wasn’t possible.

It didn’t matter who he was with now. Since she couldn’t have his love, why not be happy for Sophie?

She texted back, [I’m happy for you, Soof.]

Sophie stared at the text message for a long time, her finger dangling on the screen. She didn’t know

what to say.

After a while, she texted back, shaking a little, [Does this mean we’re still friends?]

[Yes.]

That night, Olivia burned all her photos with Jacob, including photos of them shopping, traveling, studying at the library, and at the beach.

Jacob had promised her a future together after graduation: a house, two kids–a boy named Cody and a girl named Abby–a happy family. They’d live in his family home, where his mom would cook for them, just like she always did.

Olivia had been holding onto these dreams. But now, as she watched the pictures burn, she realized those dreams were gone.

Laughing sadly, she whispered, “Goodbye, Jacob. I wish you all the best.”

Tyler dropped by Olivia’s room at midnight. She was lying in bed quietly, and he sat beside her.

“Did you burn everything?” he asked.

Olivia didn’t answer; she just let the small fire in the corner flicker.

After a moment, Tyler said, “People say first loves never last. Did you know that?”

“I didn’t need anyone to tell me,” she replied quietly, her expression unchanged.

2/2

Tyler tucked her in, making sure she was comfortable, then told the maid, “Take the brazier out.”

The maid came in and took it out. Glancing at the brazier, she saw that the corner of the last picture was devoured by the flame.

Tyler got up from Olivia’s bed, letting her heal in peace.

The next morning, Hillary went to the hospital.

“Naomi, since Olivia’s pregnant now, do you think she should move back home?

Naomi, who was freshening up, froze. “Isn’t she staying at Sandalwood Palace?”

“Do you know what they call her there? “They’re calling her Mrs. Harris,” Hillary revealed.

Naomi’s smile vanished. “Mom, Olivia is pregnant for me. We shouldn’t fuss over titles.”

“Don’t you care?” Hillary pressed.

“Mom, Olivia is my sister. She’s staying there so Tyler can take care of her and the baby,” Naomi said.

But Hillary insisted, “You want Tyler to take care of Olivia? Do you realize how much this baby means to the Harrises?”

Naomi, looking pale, was worried. “I’ll talk to Tyler about it.” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“You better,” Hillary said. She didn’t say more, but anyone could tell what she was implying.