Chapter 98: Difficult Decisions

The kitchen clock ticked away imperviously, each second a pounding testament to time's unceasing march. Olivia sat at the table with her fingers tracing the rim of a cold mug of tea. Her eyes danced across the contents of the folder in front of her. Across from her, Alex was pacing—restless energy, a perfect contrast to Olivia's stillness. "It just seems too good to be true," Alex finally declared, his voice raw, the silence between them deafening. "A miracle trial, hand-delivered by your ex? There's got to be a catch." Olivia sighed, her eyes flicking upward from the papers. "Nathan's not my ex, Alex. He's. complicated." "That's one word for it," Alex muttered, although they softened at the look of weariness on Olivia's face. They sat down and reached for Olivia's hand. "I'm sorry. I just. I worry about you." Olivia squeezed his hand tight, the slightest of smiles pulling at her lips. "I know. And I really love you for it. But we need to look at this objectively. This trial. It co