Chapter 44

Olivia's POV

I stood outside Zoya’s door, my fingers trembling as I knocked softly. The weight of the past few hours hung over me like a storm cloud, suffocating and relentless.

Within moments, the door opened, and Zoya’s eyes met mine. She didn’t say anything at first—just took in my tear-streaked face, the tension in my shoulders. Without hesitation, she stepped aside to let me in.

I walked past her, feeling the familiar warmth of her apartment, but it did little to chase away the icy grip inside my chest.

“What happened?” Zoya asked gently, closing the door behind me.

I swallowed hard, my throat raw from holding back tears. “I... I went home,” I said, pulling my phone out of my pocket with shaky hands. “I saw them, Zoya. Ava and Elijah.”

Zoya’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Saw them...?”

I took a deep breath and held the phone out to her, the picture glaring back at us—Ava and Elijah, wrapped in each other’s arms in my bed, the sheets tangled around their bodies like a cruel metaphor for everything I’d lost.

Zoya’s eyes darkened as she stared at the screen, her jaw tightening. “Olivia...” She looked up at me, concern flickering across her face. “Why did you take this picture?”

I let out a shaky breath, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “Because if Elijah ever tries to say that we’re divorcing because I was unfaithful... I’ll release it.”

Zoya blinked, absorbing my words. For a moment, she just watched me, and I could see the way she was weighing her response carefully.

Instead of questioning me further, she set the phone down on the table and pulled me into her arms. The warmth of her embrace broke down the last fragile walls I had been holding up, and without thinking, I melted into her.

I felt Zoya’s hands gently running over my back, her voice soft in my ear. “What are you doing?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Zoya pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. “You just found out your soon-to-be ex-husband is cheating on you with your best friend, Olivia.” Her thumb traced the tear stains on my cheek. “I understand that you must be hurting. And I want you to know... this doesn’t make me doubt you or what we have.”

My lips trembled, and I squeezed my eyes shut, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. “Zoya... I—”

“It’s okay,” she murmured, holding me closer. “You’re allowed to be upset about this. You don’t have to be strong all the time.”

I buried my face in her shoulder, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to cry. Silent tears spilled down my cheeks, soaking into her shirt as she held me through it.

Minutes passed—maybe more—before I finally pulled back, wiping at my face with the sleeve of my jacket. “I just... I can’t believe he did this.” My voice was raw, tinged with exhaustion. “He refused to divorce me, made both of us suffer... and for what?”

Zoya listened patiently, her fingers still tracing soothing patterns on my back.

“If he had just let me go... if he’d allowed me to be with you from the start... maybe I could’ve been okay with him moving on.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Maybe I wouldn’t feel so... betrayed.”

Zoya nodded, her eyes soft with understanding. “You have every right to feel that way.”

I sighed, leaning my head against the couch. “And now, I can’t stop wondering... how long has this been going on?”

Zoya’s expression darkened, and she reached for my hand again. “Do you want to find out?”

I hesitated, staring at the picture still glowing on my phone screen. Did I? Or was knowing the answer only going to hurt more?

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I just... I don’t want this to control me anymore.”

Zoya squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Then we take it one step at a time.”

And for the first time tonight, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t drowning alone.

Zoya's POV

The soft rhythm of Olivia’s breathing was the only sound in the quiet apartment. I lay beside her, my arm still wrapped around her waist, watching her sleep. There was a peace in her face that I hadn’t seen in a long time, and for a moment, I allowed myself to just be in this moment.

So much had happened—so much pain, so much confusion. But we were here. Together.

I traced gentle patterns on Olivia’s bare shoulder, thinking about how far we’d come. The stolen glances on set, the tentative touches, the longing that neither of us could put into words back then... and now here she was, resting in my arms like she belonged there.

I smiled softly to myself, but the quiet moment didn’t last long.

A sharp knock on the door shattered the stillness. My heart jumped in my chest as Olivia stirred slightly, but I carefully untangled myself and slipped out of bed.

Padding barefoot to the door, I opened it cautiously to find Ava standing there, her hair disheveled, her eyes red and puffy.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I whispered harshly, stepping outside and shutting the door behind me. “It’s early, and Olivia’s asleep.”

Ava swallowed hard, wringing her hands together. “I need to talk to her,” she said, her voice trembling. “I need to explain.”

I crossed my arms tightly. “Explain what, Ava? How you’ve been judging Olivia for months? How you guilt-tripped her into staying with Elijah when she wanted to leave? How you made her feel like she was wrong for loving me, while you were doing worse behind her back?” My voice rose, my anger simmering under the surface.

Ava’s lower lip trembled, and I could see tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s not like that, Zoya.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “No? You weren’t just her manager, Ava. You were supposed to be her best friend. And instead of supporting her, you pushed her toward something that was tearing her apart.” I shook my head. “And now, after all of that, you just... abandoned her.”

Ava broke down, silent tears streaming down her face. “I know I messed up, okay? But last night—nothing ever happened before that. I swear.”

Before I could respond, I heard Olivia’s voice behind me. “Then what happened exactly?”

I turned to see her standing in the doorway, wrapped in one of my blankets, her expression unreadable.

Ava looked at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. “Olivia, please... I need you to understand. Nothing happened before last night. I... I never crossed that line.”

Olivia folded her arms across her chest. “And your feelings? Did they just appear last night too?”

Ava’s silence was damning. She looked away, shame written all over her face. Finally, in a small voice, she admitted, “I’ve had feelings for Elijah for a long time... even before you two got together.”

Olivia’s eyes hardened. “And you pushed me to stay with him because you were afraid of your own feelings.”

Ava nodded, tears spilling over. “I tried to push it aside. I thought if I made you stay, I wouldn’t have to face it. But... I was wrong.”

I watched Olivia closely, expecting her to lash out, to scream—but instead, she just looked... tired.

I stepped forward. “So what about the rumors, Ava?” I asked, my voice low but firm. “Are you going to tell us that wasn’t you?”

Ava’s head snapped up, panic flashing in her eyes. “No! No, Zoya, I swear. I would never betray Olivia like that.”

Olivia let out a humorless laugh. “You already did, Ava. In the worst way.”

Ava wiped at her face desperately. “I know. I know I hurt you, Olivia. It got out of hand, and I never meant for it to happen like this.”

Olivia took a deep breath, her voice calmer than I expected. “If you really want to prove your good faith, you’re going to fix this.”

Ava looked at her, hopeful. “I’ll do anything. Just tell me how.”

Olivia’s eyes darkened with resolve. “Make Elijah release a statement. Say we’re divorcing because of something—anything—other than Zoya. You and I both know this has nothing to do with her.”

Ava hesitated. “What should he say?”

Olivia didn’t miss a beat. “Say it was because I wanted kids, and he didn’t. That’s something the public can believe. And tell them we’ve been planning this separation for a year, but only now decided to make it official.”

Ava wiped her nose, nodding eagerly. “I can do that. I can convince him.”

Olivia’s lips pressed into a thin line. “And once that statement is out... we’re done, Ava.”

Ava’s face fell. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you’re fired as my manager,” Olivia said, her tone unwavering. “You don’t get to be in my life like this anymore.”

Ava’s breath hitched, her voice cracking. “Olivia, please... I don’t want to lose you as my friend.”

Olivia’s expression softened for the briefest second, but then she shook her head. “I need space, Ava. I need time.”

Ava nodded slowly, the reality settling in. “Okay,” she whispered, defeated. “Okay, I’ll fix this.”

I watched as Ava turned and left, her shoulders hunched in defeat.

The door clicked shut, and Olivia let out a long, shaky exhale. I reached for her hand, lacing our fingers together. “Are you okay?”

She gave me a small, tired smile. “No. But I will be.”

And for the first time in a long time, I believed her.

Olivia's POV

The tension on set was palpable the next morning. Whispers followed me everywhere I went, stolen glances filled with speculation and judgment. I could feel it all—the weight of my failing marriage, the media frenzy, and the lingering doubt in the air.

I adjusted the sleeves of my jacket, trying to steady my breathing as I made my way to the dressing room. Zoya was walking beside me, her presence the only thing keeping me grounded. I wanted to say something—to tell her that I was fine, that I could handle this—but the truth was, I wasn’t sure if I could anymore.

Just as I reached for the door, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Liv.”

I turned to see Anthony approaching, his usual charming smile in place. “Got a minute?”

Zoya stiffened beside me, and I felt her hesitation even before she spoke. “We were just—”

Anthony held up a hand, his eyes locked onto mine. “Just a minute, Zoya. Olivia and I need to talk.”

Zoya’s jaw tightened, but she nodded, her eyes lingering on me before reluctantly stepping back. I gave her a small smile, silently assuring her I’d be fine.

Anthony led me a few steps away, his voice dropping to a concerned whisper. “Look, I just wanted to check in. You okay? Things have been... crazy.”

I let out a small sigh. “That’s an understatement.”

He chuckled lightly but there was something calculated in his eyes, something that put me on edge. “I just want you to know I’m here for you, Olivia. I’ve always got your back.”

I nodded, appreciative but wary. “Thanks, Anthony. I appreciate that.”

He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Listen... I know you and Zoya are close, but... are you sure it’s the right move right now?”

My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

He gave me a sympathetic look, his hand brushing my arm in what was supposed to be a comforting gesture. “I mean, with everything going on, the media’s having a field day. Maybe... distancing yourself a little wouldn’t be the worst idea. Just for your own sake.”

A sudden wave of unease settled in my chest. “Are you saying Zoya’s a problem?”

Anthony held his hands up in defense. “No, no. Not at all. I’m just saying that right now, people are talking. A lot. And the more you’re seen with her, the more fuel you're giving them.”

I swallowed hard, the doubts creeping in despite myself. “Zoya’s been nothing but supportive.”

“I know,” he said quickly. “But the press doesn’t care about that, Liv. They’re spinning stories left and right. And you... you don’t deserve this.”

I studied him carefully, trying to figure out where this was coming from. Anthony had always been friendly, but lately, he was getting... too close.

Before I could respond, Zoya stepped up beside me, her eyes sharp as she looked between the two of us. “Everything okay?”

Anthony’s smile didn’t waver. “Yeah, just checking in on our star.”

Zoya’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before she slipped her hand into mine, a silent show of support. “She’s fine.”

I squeezed Zoya’s hand lightly, feeling a sense of clarity settle over me. “I’m fine,” I echoed, meeting Anthony’s eyes.

His smile faltered just a fraction before he nodded. “Good. Just remember, I’m here if you need anything.”

As he walked away, Zoya exhaled, tugging me gently toward the dressing room. “He’s getting way too involved,” she muttered under her breath.

I sighed. “I know.”

Zoya stopped and turned to face me. "I don’t trust him, and you shouldn't as wel.”

I looked into her eyes, seeing the genuine concern there. “I won’t,” I promised.