Page 216 of Money Reigns

They all start to laugh.

“If she’ll have you, you have my blessing,” John says extending his hand. I take it.

And then I feel her.

I turn toward the kitchen entryway, and there she is.

Pink sweater. Hair twisted up in a rush.

Jeans hugging her perfect hips. Freckles dusted across her nose, just like I remember.

My Olivia.

She looks the same.

And yet, nothing like the woman who left me behind.

God, I missed her. So much it makes my vision blur for a second.

Her eyes meet mine.

Those gorgeous eyes are bright;burningwith spark of something. Recognition. Maybe even relief.

But then they harden.

And she turns without a word.

Just like that, she’s gone.

My chest hollows, a quiet implosion.

I stay seated, controlled.Always controlled.

Inside, I’m already chasing her.

Chapter forty-six

Olivia

Ipace my room. My heart hammers, my hands shake, and I can’t stop seeing him at that table.

War.

My War.

God, my heart still loves him. I should have expected it, but not like this, not so sharp and sudden. One look and I was back under, drowning in everything I’ve tried to erase by being here.

But all I can see isher.The woman in the photos. The gossip columns. Him withsomeone else.The bile rises, sharp and bitter. I have to ask him. Ineedto ask him.

I reach for the door, ready to demand answers, when a sharp knock rattles it first. My breath hitches. Probably Dean, checking on me.

I pull it open.

Not Dean.

War.

He doesn’t speak. Just looks at me. Three months, and all that heat is still in his eyes. The kind that knows me.Owns me.