Chapter 87: Mark's Sacrifice

The patter of rain against the windows was soothing, and the tension rising like a headache in Olivia's living room was subdued. She was curled up on the couch, a cooling mug of tea in her hands, her gaze riveted to the actions of Mark as he paced the floor. Unsaid words and barely constrained emotions hung heavy in the air between them. Eventually, Mark stopped, turning to face Olivia with tenacity underlying the gaze in his eyes. "Liv, I've just been thinking about this a lot," he continued, quieter yet still confident, "about us, about Nathan, about what love really means." Olivia's heart raced, setting her mug down and bracing for what came next. "Mark, I—" He held up a hand, silencing her gently. "Please, let me get this out. It's not easy for me to say, but I need to." He took a deep breath before continuing, "I love you, Olivia. more than I ever felt it was possible to love a person. You've been there. You've been my inspiration and right arm in some of the worst times I've