Forever and always

Chapter twenty

Olivia's pov:
July/ August 2021

I followed Max to his drivers room, the silence between us heavier than anything he'd said. He didn't speak a word the entire walk, only closed the door behind us as we sat down, fixing me with a look that felt more like heartbreak than anger.

"Why, Olivia? Why?" He asked, his voice low, quiet... disappointed.

"What do you want me to say?" I replied, my chest tightening. "I'm sorry for falling in love? For finding someone who makes me happy? Wasn't that what you always wanted for me after Matt—after everything?"

He inhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "Of course I want you to be happy. But not like this. I've known Charles for years. I know his type. He's not the guy you think he is, Olivia. He'll use you, break your heart the moment he sees someone shinier. He's done it before"

"That's not true" I said quickly, arms folded like a shield across my chest. "You don't even know him like I do"

"I know enough. Trust me. When have I ever lied to you?"

"You haven't. But that doesn't give you the right to judge someone you refuse to get to know" My voice wavered slightly. "You think you're protecting me, but you're not. You're just pushing me away"

Max didn't answer. He just stared at me, disappointment etched in every inch of his face.

"Fine" I said bitterly. "Don't talk. But when you're ready to accept that you can't control my life, maybe then we can actually have a real conversation" I turned toward the door. "Have a good practice, Max. I've had enough judgment for one day."

I left without looking back, the sharp ache in my chest only grew stronger. As I walked toward Charles's drivers room, the quiet hurt of rejection weighed on me like a stone. He'd always said I was welcome there, and right now, it was the only place that felt like home.

The room was empty when I arrived. I sank into the small two-seater couch and pulled out my phone, trying to distract myself. I scrolled through instagram, surprised to see fan accounts already buzzing with pictures of Charles and me arriving hand-in-hand. The outpouring of support was overwhelming—sweet, heartfelt messages from strangers who barely knew us but still wished us happiness. It should have made me feel better. But all I could think about was how my own brother couldn't offer me the same kindness.

The door opened softly.

"You're back already?" Charles asked, surprise and concern in his voice as he stepped inside.

"Yeah. It went horrible" I muttered, barely looking up.

He came over and sat beside me, instantly pulling me into his arms. "What did he say?"

"He said I couldn't trust you. That you'd leave me the second someone better came along" I swallowed hard, fighting the sting behind my eyes. "Then he was disappointed in me"

Charles tensed beside me, "visibly shocked. What the fuck?" He whispered. "You know that's not true, right? I would never do that to you. I love you"

"I know. And I love you too. But Max thinks he's protecting me by trying to scare me away from you. He doesn't see how happy you've mere me these past many months. I was stuck in such a dark place... and you pulled me out of it"

He smiled softly, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "I'd do it a million times over just to see that smile of yours"

"How did I live without you for so long?" I asked, leaning into him.

"I was just wondering the same thing" he said, closing the space between us with a gentle kiss.

We stayed like that for a while—talking, holding onto each other. Charles admitted Max had reached out to him privately, warning him off. He hadn't told me because he didn't want to upset me, which only made me angrier. Max could t even talk to me—his sister—but felt justified texting my boyfriend? The guy he hates.