Chapter 109: The Truth Comes Out

The living room crackled with unspoken tension, so thick it could be cut with a knife. Olivia perched on the edge of the armchair, her back ramrod straight, hands clasped tightly in her lap to disguise their trembling. Across from her, Alex and Nathan sat at opposite ends of the sofa, a chasm of awkward silence between them. Olivia took a deep breath, gearing herself up for what was to follow. "Thank you both for coming," she started off, more steadily than she actually felt. "I think the time has come when we should all lay our cards on the table." Alex's face showed concern; he leaned forward. "Liv, are you quite sure of this? We don't have to do everything at once if it is too much." Nathan nodded in agreement, the attention never swerving from her face. "He's right—if you need more time—" "No," Olivia cut in, a spark of determination flaring across her eyes. "Not taking 'no' for an answer this time. No more secrets. We'll talk about everything—here, now." She looked up at Nath