“My sweet, sweet Olivia,” Donovan whispers.
I tense even more.Why is he here? What is he doing? Why does he keep calling me that?I shift and pretend like I’m waking up. My eyes flutter open and I gaze up at him. He doesn’t move. He stares at me with a look in his eyes that makes me feel sick. My heart beats heavy in my chest as I sit up and crawl backwards until my back hits the headboard. I pull my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them, trying to put as much distance between us as I can.
“How are you feeling today?” His deep voice isn’t soothing like it was yesterday.
I swallow, trying to wet my dry throat and shrug. “I miss my mom,” I whisper. Something flashes in his eyes, but it’s gone so quickly I don’t know if I actually saw anything.Is he angry?He scoots closer to me and runs his finger from my shoulder to my wrist and back up.Is he trying to comfort me?My muscles are so tight my neck is beginning to ache. I glance toward the door. “Where’s Ruth?”
“I gave her the day off. She’s grieving too,” he answers. The hair lifts on my neck and arms. I lay my forehead on my knees,refusing to meet his eyes again and try to relax my muscles.I’m here alone with Donovan. Why does that scare me?
I’ve always felt like a burden to him. I’ve never feared him before, but something has shifted and I don’t know what it is. He runs his hand down my hair again and I have to fight not to recoil. The doorbell rings; it’s like music to my ears. A sigh of relief leaves my lungs as he stands.
“I don’t know who that is,” he snarls. I lift my head to look at him again. His nostrils flare as he glares down at me. I hug my knees tighter at his sudden change in demeanor. “Get dressed and come eat breakfast. I’ll go get the door.”
When he leaves my room, I release my knees and sag against the headboard. My arms and legs tingle as I suck in lungful after lungful of air.What was that?I can’t think of one time Donovan has ever come into my room besides the day my mom and I moved in. But, even then, I don’t think he actually stepped inside.
I push away from the headboard and turn, my feet dangling as I put myself together. Once I’m sure I can stand without fainting, I get up, quickly make my bed, and grab some jeans and a long sleeve shirt. I swallow, take a deep breath, and get dressed. One more glance around my room to make sure everything is in its place before I wipe my hands down my jeans and leave my room.
Walking down the long hallway to the stairs. It’s like walking the plank of a ship. Why? I never felt completely comfortable in this house, but with mom and Ruth here I was okay. My throat tightens and eyes burn. Because they’re my home and now one piece of that is gone forever.
Voices drift to me as I slowly go down the stairs, breaking me out of my dark thoughts. Victor’s low, rough voice causes my lungs to expand and I’m able to take a deep breath. It’s been a long time since he’s been over here.
I round the corner into the kitchen and throw myself into Victor’s arms. He wraps his arms around me, hugging me tight. Why does his embrace feel different from Donovan’s? I glance up at him, giving him a small smile. Heat travels up my neck and face, embarrassed by my outburst, but he returns my smile and doesn’t push me away, sympathy and sadness in his eyes.
“How are you doing today, Olivia?”
I step back and run my fingers through my hair, wishing I could hide behind it. I shrug slightly.
“I’m sad,” I admit.
Victor inhales slowly and drops a kiss on the top of my head. “I am too.”
That’s a normal response. The way Donovan reacted? It was odd. I want to hold on to Victor, but he steps back. I bite the inside of my cheek and turn to face Donovan. The lump in my throat settles in my stomach. His eyes are slits as he looks at Victor and me. He presses his lips together in a tight line. I take an unconscious step back. Before I can wonder why he looks like that, his expression changes and he smiles wide, making me question if I’m imagining things.
“I was just about to make Olivia and I some breakfast. Would you like some?”
I glance up at Victor, hoping he’ll stay.
“Sure,” Victor replies. “Why are you cooking? Where’s everyone?” Victor asks as he leans back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest.
I walk to the fridge, my hands shaking slightly as I open the door to grab the orange juice.Where is everyone?I wonder along with Victor. Donovan said he gave Ruth the day off, but he didn’t mention anyone else.
“I gave everyone the day off.”
I stick my head back out of the fridge and glance between Donovan and Victor.What the heck?“Everyone?” I ask.
The sensation of not being able to catch my breath overwhelms me again. I place the orange juice on the counter and am about to ask Victor if he’ll get a glass for me, but Donovan grabs one and hands it to me. I offer him a tight smile, but quickly turn away.
Why do I feel this way all of a sudden? Why is Donovan being so kind?I’ve never seen him be mean, but I can’t think of a time he’s ever given any of the staff a day off. I slowly pour the orange juice, making sure not to spill any.
“You gave everyone the day off?” Victor scoffs, giving Donovan a skeptical look. Donovan opens the fridge to grab the eggs and bacon.
“I can be nice,” he says. I roll my lips between my teeth. Can he? I can’t think of a time where he’s gone out of his way to be nice. He’s cold and hard to read, but maybe I don’t know him well enough to judge that part of his character. I mean, I’ve never seen him be mean either.
“Everyone is grieving Margaret’s death.” Donovan says as he cracks the egg. “I wasn’t going to make them work.”
I squeeze my eyes shut a moment before putting the top back on the orange juice. I didn’t think about everyone else and how they’d feel. Of course they’re all mourning. Everyone loved mom. Her kind soul and sweet demeanor. My lips tremble. I press them together to make them stop.
How did her brakes go out? It doesn’t make sense. Donovan always got the cars worked on regularly. How did this happen?
