Seven Years of Love, All for Nothing

Chapter 7

Andrew shot me a quick glance, his hesitation lasting only a split second before he spoke up. "See, Rachel? I told you Olivia was innocent. Why else would the police let her go?"

He shrugged, the words slipping out like it was the most natural thing. "She's your sister, after all. We're going to be family soon, right? I should go pick her up."

I wasn't about to let him off the hook so easily. I called out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Didn't you promise me that if I forgave you, you'd never have anything to do with Olivia again?"

"My dad can take care of it. If you leave now, I swear, I'll never forgive you."

Andrew hesitated, but didn't turn around. I heard his voice, quieter now, like he was trying to convince himself.

"Olivia really needs me right now. This is the last time, I swear. Once everything's over, I'll do things right. I'll propose to you properly."

And with that, he made a quick beeline for the door. But halfway there, he broke into a run, and—of course—he bumped into a sharp corner of a decorative piece, cutting his arm. He didn't even flinch.

I just stood there, watching him leave, my heart sinking. I unconsciously touched my face—tears had already started streaming down.

All of this had once been mine.

His love, his passion, his tenderness... everything.

What happened to that guy who ran halfway across the world just to see me?

Mrs. Johnson's call broke through the silence, her voice seething with anger.

"Your father really went all in! That evidence could have nailed Olivia for good, but he insisted on taking the fall!"

I felt my heart drop into my stomach. I never thought my selfish father would go this far for Olivia.

I hung up without a second thought and rushed to the police station.

I demanded to see my father. They didn't hesitate.

When I walked in, he looked like a shell of the man I knew—an older, worn version of himself. He'd seemed fine earlier, full of energy at the wedding, but now he looked decades older.

"Rachel, you're here. Can I ask you for one thing?" he said, voice shaky.

I didn't answer at first, just staring at him.

After a long silence, he broke it, his voice barely audible.

"I wronged you... and your mother. But Olivia's innocent."

A lump formed in my throat, and the anger I had tried so hard to keep in check burst out. I glared at him, fury flooding my chest.

"So it's true. You really killed Mom! You monster!" I shouted, every word seething with rage.

"She spent years standing by you, and this is how you repay her? She even agreed to a divorce when you wanted it. So why couldn't you just let her go?"

My father lowered his head, his expression full of guilt.

After a long, tense pause, he finally spoke again, barely above a whisper.

"Rachel, there's just one thing I ask from you now. Spare Olivia. She's your only family left."

With that, he refused to say another word, ending our conversation in a way that felt more final than I could bear.

I wanted to destroy him, tear him apart for everything he'd done. But something inside me told me to stay calm, to keep my emotions in check.

I knew my father. He would never truly take responsibility for his actions.

He led the police right to the spot where they had dumped Olivia's mother's body, taking all the blame for himself.

Mrs. Johnson told me that Olivia had been struggling mentally after everything, so Andrew had bought her a whole estate to recover in.

I allowed them to keep seeing each other, even though I hated the idea. Mrs. Johnson wasn't happy, but she agreed—after a lot of persuasion.

Before the court could hand down any verdict, my father took matters into his own hands.

With so many shady business deals hanging over his head, he knew it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down. So, on a bright sunny day, he made his choice. He slammed his head into the wall, ending his own life.

The police called to notify us about his death. But I couldn't bring myself to go.

It was Andrew who ended up taking Olivia.