Whisper - Chapter 23: Chapter 23
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Breaking the Bond – 2
I stared darkly at my phone screen, now glaring with a red exclamation mark : "Olivia has enabled friend verification. You are not her contact. Please send a request."
Anger flared hot in my chest. She actually dared to delete me! After everything I'd done for her, after giving her a place to stay, after tolerating her presence for three years – this was how she repaid me?
I gritted my teeth, my grip tightening around my phone. "So she's got some backbone now, even learned to block me."
"Ethan, what's wrong?" Cassandra's fragile voice called from the hospital bed.
I forced my emotions down, not wanting to upset her further. "Nothing."
Cassandra's eyes shimmered with tears, her tone pitiful as she raised her bandaged hand. "Ethan, is my hand crippled? Will I never be able to play piano again?"
My expression softened as I looked at her. Cassandra had been a piano student at a prestigious overseas conservatory before returning to Harbor City. She'd also cultivated a million followers on her popular social media account, becoming a minor internet celebrity.
Her talent was part of what made her special.
"No," I reassured her, moving closer to the bed. "The doctor said it's only a flesh wound, no damage to nerves or tendons. You'll be fine in a few days."
She bit her lip, vulnerability written across her delicate features. "Really? You're not just comforting me?"
I gently ruffled her hair, the familiar gesture bringing a small smile to her face. "No."
Her gaze turned watery again as she looked up at me. "Ethan, if – if my injury had been worse, and I could never play piano again, would you still forgive Olivia?"
My eyes turned icy at the mention of Olivia’s name.
“Even with this injury, if she doesn’t apologize, I won’t forgive her. And if you really can’t play the piano ever again, she’ll pay for it.”
Cassandra leaned into my shoulder with a faint smile.
“I knew you were the one who cared about me the most.”
I held her close, but my thoughts drifted back to Olivia.
Maybe I’d been too harsh, telling her never to come back.
But then I steeled myself.
No. She hurt Cassandra first. This is her fault.
Blocking me? She's just waiting for me to coax her—
But this time, I won’t.
This time, she’ll have to come crawling back.
(Olivia’s POV)
The Crescent Moon Hotel’s lobby was a marvel of modern luxury—gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and walls adorned with tasteful art.
The moment I stepped through the revolving doors, my eyes found Connor Rivers.
He stood tall and striking in a black shirt and trousers. His perfectly proportioned figure—broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs—was accentuated by the sleek cut of his clothes. His face was just as impossibly handsome as it had been three years ago: sharp, cold, and undeniably captivating.
Beside him stood his assistant, Henry Morris, respectful and silent as always.
Catching sight of me, Connor strode quickly forward, his ice – blue eyes warming slightly. He took my suitcase gently from my hand and asked with quiet concern, "Livvy, are you alright?"
I lowered my gaze, suddenly feeling the weight of the night's events. "I'm fine."
Henry bowed slightly, ever the professional. "President Rivers, I'll leave you now."
Connor nodded, dismissing him with a subtle gesture.
The elevator ride to the top floor was silent. I could feel Connor's gaze on me occasionally, but he didn't press for details. That was one thing I'd always appreciated about him – he never pushed when I wasn't ready to talk.
The duplex suite took my breath away. Vast floor – to – ceiling windows revealed Harbor City's glittering night skyline, the lights of skyscrapers twinkling like earthbound stars. The living area featured plush sofas in cream leather, a state – of – the – art entertainment system, and tasteful modern art on the walls.
Connor's voice was low and gentle as he set my suitcase down. "Livvy, do you want the upstairs bedroom or the downstairs one?"
Embarrassment flooded through me at the reality of sharing a suite with such an extraordinary man. Even after all these years, Connor Rivers still had the ability to make me feel like a tongue – tied schoolgirl.
"Either is ... fine," I stammered, hating how uncertain I sounded.
I heard his quiet chuckle, making me blush harder. Then his deep, soothing voice reassured me, "You stay upstairs then. If you need anything, just call me."
Breaking the Bon
My cheeks flushed crimson as I ed, "Alright."
I stared darkly at my phone screen, now glaring with a red exclamation mark : "Olivia has enabled friend verification. You are not her contact. Please send a request."
Anger flared hot in my chest. She actually dared to delete me! After everything I'd done for her, after giving her a place to stay, after tolerating her presence for three years – this was how she repaid me?
I gritted my teeth, my grip tightening around my phone. "So she's got some backbone now, even learned to block me."
"Ethan, what's wrong?" Cassandra's fragile voice called from the hospital bed.
I forced my emotions down, not wanting to upset her further. "Nothing."
Cassandra's eyes shimmered with tears, her tone pitiful as she raised her bandaged hand. "Ethan, is my hand crippled? Will I never be able to play piano again?"
My expression softened as I looked at her. Cassandra had been a piano student at a prestigious overseas conservatory before returning to Harbor City. She'd also cultivated a million followers on her popular social media account, becoming a minor internet celebrity.
Her talent was part of what made her special.
"No," I reassured her, moving closer to the bed. "The doctor said it's only a flesh wound, no damage to nerves or tendons. You'll be fine in a few days."
She bit her lip, vulnerability written across her delicate features. "Really? You're not just comforting me?"
I gently ruffled her hair, the familiar gesture bringing a small smile to her face. "No."
Her gaze turned watery again as she looked up at me. "Ethan, if – if my injury had been worse, and I could never play piano again, would you still forgive Olivia?"
My eyes turned icy at the mention of Olivia’s name.
“Even with this injury, if she doesn’t apologize, I won’t forgive her. And if you really can’t play the piano ever again, she’ll pay for it.”
Cassandra leaned into my shoulder with a faint smile.
“I knew you were the one who cared about me the most.”
I held her close, but my thoughts drifted back to Olivia.
Maybe I’d been too harsh, telling her never to come back.
But then I steeled myself.
No. She hurt Cassandra first. This is her fault.
Blocking me? She's just waiting for me to coax her—
But this time, I won’t.
This time, she’ll have to come crawling back.
(Olivia’s POV)
The Crescent Moon Hotel’s lobby was a marvel of modern luxury—gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and walls adorned with tasteful art.
The moment I stepped through the revolving doors, my eyes found Connor Rivers.
He stood tall and striking in a black shirt and trousers. His perfectly proportioned figure—broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs—was accentuated by the sleek cut of his clothes. His face was just as impossibly handsome as it had been three years ago: sharp, cold, and undeniably captivating.
Beside him stood his assistant, Henry Morris, respectful and silent as always.
Catching sight of me, Connor strode quickly forward, his ice – blue eyes warming slightly. He took my suitcase gently from my hand and asked with quiet concern, "Livvy, are you alright?"
I lowered my gaze, suddenly feeling the weight of the night's events. "I'm fine."
Henry bowed slightly, ever the professional. "President Rivers, I'll leave you now."
Connor nodded, dismissing him with a subtle gesture.
The elevator ride to the top floor was silent. I could feel Connor's gaze on me occasionally, but he didn't press for details. That was one thing I'd always appreciated about him – he never pushed when I wasn't ready to talk.
The duplex suite took my breath away. Vast floor – to – ceiling windows revealed Harbor City's glittering night skyline, the lights of skyscrapers twinkling like earthbound stars. The living area featured plush sofas in cream leather, a state – of – the – art entertainment system, and tasteful modern art on the walls.
Connor's voice was low and gentle as he set my suitcase down. "Livvy, do you want the upstairs bedroom or the downstairs one?"
Embarrassment flooded through me at the reality of sharing a suite with such an extraordinary man. Even after all these years, Connor Rivers still had the ability to make me feel like a tongue – tied schoolgirl.
"Either is ... fine," I stammered, hating how uncertain I sounded.
I heard his quiet chuckle, making me blush harder. Then his deep, soothing voice reassured me, "You stay upstairs then. If you need anything, just call me."
Breaking the Bon
My cheeks flushed crimson as I ed, "Alright."
End of Whisper Chapter 23. Continue reading Chapter 24 or return to Whisper book page.