39. Forgive me, Devon.

Olivia could hardly believe her ears. "Candice?" she whispered, her heart sinking. What was she doing here? Panic set in, twisting her stomach into knots. If Candice had overheard everything, it would undoubtedly affect Devon's judgment. She could feel the walls closing in, suffocated by the fear of what was to come.

Devon, on the other hand, remained disturbingly calm, even after hearing Olivia's confession. His composed demeanor only made her cry harder. Despite everything, a flicker of hope lingered—what if he forgave her? She wasn't like her parents. She wasn't that cruel, manipulative person they had shaped her to be.

"Did you do it?" Devon's voice was cold, a blade ready to cut through her lies.

Olivia froze, trembling under the weight of her guilt. She could have lied, claimed it was all a misunderstanding, a cruel joke. But how much longer could she live with that burden? Her silence stretched thin.