Chapter 3: I Am Alive!
"Aunt! You are here."Leonard came running, giving Olivia a chance to breathe. her face was red, her breath was shallow.
Olivia bent and hugged him tightly as if assuring herself that the worst had not come yet.
"Happy birthday, leonard." His soft hug was the only warmth in this cold life.
"Do not worry, I will keep mum busy." he giggled and then held Oriana's hand. "Mother, I want strawberry pudding instead of apple pie. Look.." he dragged her away but when Olivia looked back, the man was looking at her. She froze at her place. A cold feeling touched her neck and sweat dripped over it.
Damon had never looked at her in the past. Like he did not exist, she does not exist too. They both are just background to give her sister light. His eyes seem to be searching for something.
"My lady, you look more beautiful day by day. May I have the honor to dance with you." Olivia did not hear who asked her for a dance. But to avoid his eyes, she placed her hand on the extended hand and nodded. She needed time to sort out her thoughts and make a plan.
Taking three steps away, she finally noticed who the man was.
"Count Efelentia!" her luck! It was worse than she had thought. The fat pig of a noble smiled at her without caring that his teeth had long turned black because of the drugs he took all day.
"Lady Witherland! I have never thought that you would accept it readily. Are you finally finishing your hard to get game with me and accepting my favors!" the man grinned again without a care! Talk about confidence!
"I apologize to my lord. But you are twice my age. And you have married twice already too. " Olivia reminded him with a forced smile but the man just snorted.
"And you are an orphan, my lady. Did you not hear that old is gold? Since I have taken good care of my previous wives, I will take good care of you too." his hands pressed her waist tighter and she winced. How she wanted to push him away and run away.