Page 62 of Freed By Fire
“That it would make it a lie?”
I look away. “I know it sounds stupid, and I know I should’ve noticed earlier, but with everything else happening… I… didn’t.”
I’d been so focused on keeping my parents from the truth that I’d missed the signs.
For weeks, Mason had consumed my every thought, dulling everything else around me, even something as obvious as this.
Olivia isn’t wrong to wonder.
“I didn’t do this on purpose if that’s what you’re wondering,” I add quickly. “I know we don’t know each other well, and you have no reason to believe me, but it doesn’t make it any less true.”
“London, if I didn’t think you could be trusted, I wouldn’t have asked you for your help,” Olivia says. “And not only that, but you’re helping me, so I think we’re past the social niceties.”
“We went right into assured mutual destruction,” I joke with a weak smile. “If we betray each other, I mean.”
Olivia’s expression changes. “I don’t think you’re going to betray me, and I have no interest in betraying you.”
I have no idea why Olivia is telling me any of this, or why she hasn’t gone to Mason.
She doesn’t owe me anything, and the truth about what she’s been doing pales in comparison to what I’ve been hiding.
Telling Mason about the baby is what she needs to make her activities seem harmless, or at least that’s what I tell myself.
But I want to be wrong.
I need to be wrong.
Each day away from my old life brings new dangers, and with the walls closing in around me, the loneliness is beginning to creep in.
I don’t want to feel trapped and unable to take charge of my fate.
Isn’t that what you are, though? If you have the baby with Mason, you don’t have anywhere to go, and if you choose tostay, you’ll be putting both your lives at risk, assuming Mason allows it.
Suddenly, I’m ashamed of the anger and resentment I feel.
It’s not like Mason asked for any of this, either.
“When our mom died, I think a part of him died with her,” Olivia says, softly. “Or at least the part of him that wanted a different life for himself. I’m guessing by the look on your face that he’s never told you that.”
Slowly, I offer her a weak nod.
“He’s probably going to be pissed that I’m telling you, but you deserve to know,” Olivia says. “I don’t know what the right thing to do is. I’m not even sure I’m the person to ask, but if it were me, I’d keep the baby.”
“They’d be in danger every day of their lives,” I say.
Olivia frowns. “Yes, you’re probably right, but this could also be a chance for the two of you to start over somewhere new. Away from all of this.”
“I don’t think that is possible.”
“It is, but it means you’ll have to look behind you for the rest of your lives. You’ll never be able to fully let your guard down.”
“That doesn’t sound any different than what we’re doing now.”
“One set of bars for another. Anyway, that’s just my two cents. I wouldn’t put too much stock into it. I had the chance to get away, but I waited too long.”
My chest tightens at the look on her face. “What happened?”
“He got tired of waiting for me to make a decision,” Olivia whispers. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have taken it for granted.”
