Evander seemed skeptical. “You do?”
Stopping just in front of them, Lord Everwyck gave a solemn nod. “I thought this marriage was a mistake. I believed Olivia would hurt you. I let my assumptions cloud my judgment, and I was wrong. Entirely wrong. The truth is that you two are perfect for one another.”
Olivia stood very still, unsure how to respond. She had braced herself for his disapproval for so long that his unexpected contrition knocked the wind from her.
Beside her, Evander looked as though he were trying to determine if this was some elaborate jest. “Thank you, Father.”
Lord Everwyck’s eyes, so often sharp with criticism or cool with detachment, filled with tears. “I know I haven’t been the best father. But I want what is best for you. I always have.” He paused. “I also wanted to apologize for not telling you about Bryon’s will. That was wrong of me. I should have trusted that you would do what was best for the estate.”
Olivia felt the air shift. Not dramatically, but just enough to crack something inside her. Perhaps not forgiveness—at least not yet—but something that resembled grace. She stepped out of Evander’s arms and walked up to Lord Everwyck, hesitating only briefly before wrapping her arms around him.
His body was stiff, startled, but after a moment, he returned the embrace. Lightly. Awkwardly. But he didn’t pull away.
When she stepped back, he cleared his throat gruffly. “That’s all I wanted to say.”
And without waiting for acknowledgment, he turned sharply on his heel and exited the room.
The door closed with a soft click.
Evander’s eyes stayed fixed on the door. “I never thought I’d hear my father admit he was wrong.”
Olivia looked up at him, her voice quiet but hopeful. “Perhaps it’s the start of something new between you.”
He exhaled, almost a scoff, though not unkind. “I’m not naïve enough to think he’ll change overnight. But still… it’s something. And I would have loved you, with or without his approval.”
Her lips curved. “That’s why I love you.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of hearing you say that.”
Olivia tilted her head, suddenly mischievous. “I was merely wondering if you might be interested in getting into a bit of trouble right now.”
One of Evander’s brows lifted. “What sort of trouble?”
She slipped her fingers into his, threading them tightly together. “Why don’t you come with me and find out?”
His steps matched hers instantly as she tugged him towards the door.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
She glanced over her shoulder at him with a smile that was all challenge and promise. “I believe it’s as good a time as any to make this a true marriage.”
His grip on her hand tightened. “Lead the way, myKicksy-Wicksy.”
Olivia groaned and laughed at the same time. “I thought we had agreed to retire that ridiculous term.”
“But it suits you so nicely,” he said with that insufferable grin that always made her want to both kiss him and mock him in equal measure.
She rolled her eyes, but her heart was soaring. She felt light. Whole. Free.
This was what love felt like—safe and thrilling all at once.
It was him.
Always would be.
“And that is how Olivia begged me to love her,” Evander declared with a grand flourish of his hand, reclining just slightly in the chair near his mother’s bedside.
Olivia’s laugh filled the room. “That is not how I recall it happening.”
