Olivia’s reaction was a chaotic mess. Relief flooded her veins first, followed quickly by embarrassment, and then a spike of dread that James would use Leo's presence to validate his twisted accusations.
James’s expression morphed into a nasty, satisfied sneer. "Of course he is here."
"Don't start," Olivia warned him.
"You called him?" James demanded.
"No."
The door pushed open wider, and Leo barged into the small office. He did not posture. He did not threaten James. He bypassed the man, his icy blue eyes locking straight onto Olivia.
"Are you okay?" Leo asked.
It was the first thing out of his mouth. It mattered more than she could process.
James tried to dominate the interaction. He squared his shoulders, stepping into Leo's line of sight. "This is between a husband and wife. Get out."
Leo ignored him. He kept his eyes on Olivia. "Do you want me to leave, Liv?"
The contrast was staggering. James demanded compliance. Leo offered her a choice. Olivia looked from her husband to the man who had sheltered her, and she realized the vast difference between being controlled and being protected.
"No," Olivia said, her voice steady. "Stay."
James hated that. He turned on Leo, his face flushed with indignation. "You are interfering in my marriage."
"I'm here because Olivia asked for help," Leo replied, his voice dangerously calm.
"She is confused," James insisted.
"She seems clear to me," Leo countered.
"You have no idea what is going on here," James warned.
"I know enough." Leo's tone was restrained, full of a lethal subtext that made him vastly more intimidating than if he had raised his voice.
James pointed a finger at him. "I want those documents."
Leo did not confirm where they were. He did not flinch. "Olivia will communicate through counsel."
James reacted. He turned back to Olivia, looking furious and deeply wounded.
"You're really doing this?" James asked, his voice cracking with disbelief. "You're letting him turn you against me?"
"You did that yourself," Olivia said.
James adjusted his jacket, his features hardening into a cold mask. He walked toward the door, turning back to deliver one final warning disguised as concern.
"When you calm down, you'll understand how badly you're handling this. I love you, Olivia. I just want what's best for us." He stopped, his gaze softening as he looked deep into hereyes, leaning in just a fraction. "I love you, Liv. I am not giving up on our marriage. Please, just... don't do anything without thinking. Don't rush this."
He walked out of the office.
Olivia stood frozen until she could no longer hear his footsteps walking away down the hall, waiting until the faint chime of the front door echoed through the building to signal his departure. Then, she broke a little. A shuddering breath escaped her lips, and she pressed her hands to her face, the adrenaline draining from her veins.
Leo stayed exactly where he was, giving her the room she needed to breathe.
After a few minutes, she wiped her eyes.
"Do you want to leave?" Leo asked softly.
