Only If You Know

Chapter 18

Caleb was watching television when Olivia arrived home from school. He stopped her as she was

about to go upstairs.

“How is Stella doing now?” He questioned her, but out of curiosity.

Olivia was well aware of what he was actually trying to do. He was looking for information about Stella

so he could give her a few words for ditching his best friends. Although their bonding has grown over

the last month, it is still far from friendship.

“She is all right now.” She stated this.

“What happened to her?” He asked her further.

“Jenna just said something to her. Nothing to be concerned about.” She explained it to him calmly. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He was about to ask another question when Olivia lost her cool and snapped at him. “Caleb, just stop.

Okay! I know what you are trying to do. I am sorry that I had to ditch you guys, but I will do it again if

Stella or Zack needs me.”

“Is everything okay here?” Ella arrived.

“Yes, Ella. Caleb was just wondering why I was late.” Olivia lied to her.

“Oh, okay. Well, anyway, I was here to let you know that dinner is ready,” Ella said.

“Ella, I am not hungry; could you please let me go to my room? I am really tired.” Olivia asked her

desperately.

Ella could see that her goddaughter was exhausted, but her motherly instinct told her that it was more

of a mental exhaustion than physical exhaustion, so she nodded. Caleb could see the mother debating

something in her head as she set the table for dinner. His father was late because of a medical

emergency at the hospital. Ella left the table and went upstairs after a few minutes. It had been nearly

30 minutes since her mother had left, so he went to Livy's room on instinct.

He saw Olivia sobbing and clutching Ella from the half-open gate as if her life depended on it. He'd

never seen her so miserable. When he saw the scene in front of her, his heart was shattered into a

million pieces. He wanted to rush up to her, hold her, and comfort her. But he was aware that Olivia

required his mother more than he did. He wasn't even her friend, to begin with. But he was the source

of her tears. Maybe not today. But yes, somewhere along the way, he is to be blamed.

Along the way, he realized it was connected to Zack and Stella and the fact that Mason and Sia might

have a glimmer of an idea about the pain that was causing her to break down. Olivia was tired of

everything and relieved to have Ella hold on to because she was missing her mother’s hugs. Olivia told

Ella about Stella’s breakdown as a result of James, and Caleb’s mother immediately hugged her. It was

as if she knew she would just lose all her barriers around herself for today.

For today, Olivia decided to use Ella as a replacement for her mother, who could hold her while she

drowned herself in her sorrows. She will forget about everything and rely on this comfort. Olivia finally

calmed down after an hour and thanked Ella for being there for her. Ella was hesitant to leave Olivia,

but she knew this sweet little broken girl needed some space. When she was sure Olivia would be fine

on her own, she exited her room, but not before kissing her on the forehead.

Olivia knew that she needed an escape, and nothing beats a good night’s sleep. So, as usual, she

popped a sleeping pill into her mouth and drifted off to sleep.