Eventually, Madison relented.
As the years passed, Olivia enrolled in school. There, she became the target of relentless bullying because of her birth. Her classmates mocked her for being an illegitimate child, shunned her, and constantly made her feel unwanted.
Watching the little girl suffer slowly softened Madison's heart.
Her hatred gradually faded, replaced by sympathy.
Little by little, she began treating Olivia as though she were her own daughter.
What Madison never realized was that, while she was trying to heal Olivia's wounds, Olivia was quietly driving a wedge between Madison and Anne.
With each passing year, mother and daughter grew further apart.
Eva silently observed the interaction before her.
After hearing Olivia's words, she glanced at Madison and sighed inwardly.
Madison has such a wonderful daughter as Anne... yet she pours all her love and attention into Olivia without ever considering Anne's feelings.
The thought made Eva's heart ache.
That poor child... Her own mother doesn't even realize how much she's hurting her.
***
Meanwhile, in Jason's Office
Jason sat across from his father, Ray, and Aaron Williams. The atmosphere in the room was unusually tense.
"Dad, you told me to pretend to be in love with Olivia for some time," Jason said, his voice filled with frustration. "But it's been years now. And now you want me to get engaged to her?"
Ray sighed "I know we told you that you would only have to pretend for a while. But you don't need to worry about the engagement. It's only for show."
Jason frowned "For show?"
"Yes," Ray replied firmly. "Once we catch the person we're looking for, you won't have to pretend anymore."
Jason leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair "But what about Anne?"
His voice softened "You know I love her. She'll be heartbroken when she hears about this. I've already hurt her so much. I can't hurt her again."
Aaron looked at him seriously "We know how much you love her, Jason. Everything we're doing is to protect both of you."
Jason looked at him "Protect us?"
Aaron nodded "After the accident three years ago, we realized that Anne wasn't safe. Until we find the person responsible, we have to make sure she's protected."
Jason's hands tightened into fists "Then I'll go through with the engagement."
Ray and Aaron exchanged a glance.
"But I'm doing this for Anne," Jason continued. "Once this is over, I want the person responsible for what happened to her to be punished."
He paused "And there's something else I want to know."
Ray looked at him "What is it?"
Jason turned toward Aaron "Uncle Aaron, I want you to answer the question I asked you four years ago."
Aaron's expression became serious "Which question?"
Jason stared directly at him "Anne and Olivia are sisters. You know that I love Anne, so why did you allow Olivia to get close to me? Why are you supporting this engagement when you know how I feel about Anne?"
He paused before asking the question that had been bothering him for years "And when Olivia eventually learns the truth about my feelings, don't you think she'll be heartbroken?"
Aaron remained silent. Jason's eyes narrowed "Uncle Aaron?"
Aaron finally exchanged a look with Ray. Ray gave him a small nod.
Aaron took a slow breath "Jason... there are things about Olivia and the accident that you don't know."
Jason immediately straightened "What are you talking about?"
"You've been away from home for the past two years because of your training," Aaron said. "Before you left, we decided that when you returned, we would tell you everything."
Jason's expression hardened "Everything?"
Aaron nodded "We thought it would be safer to keep you away from the truth until we had enough evidence."
Jason stood up abruptly "Enough evidence for what?"
Ray's expression turned grim "The accident."
Jason stared at him "What about it?"
Aaron looked at Jason for several seconds before finally speaking "The person who hurt Anne four years ago..."
He paused. Jason's heart began pounding.
"...was Olivia."
Jason froze "What?"
His voice came out barely above a whisper.
Aaron's expression remained cold "Olivia was responsible for what happened to Anne."
Jason took a step backward, staring at Aaron in disbelief "No..."
He shook his head "I don't understand."
"Jason—"
"No."
Jason raised his hand, stopping him.
"Why would Olivia do something like that? She loves me. She would never..." His voice faltered.
Memories suddenly began rushing through his mind—the moments Olivia had cried in front of him, the times she had acted innocent, and every time she had accused Anne of treating her badly.
Jason's expression slowly changed "You're telling me that all these years..."
He looked between Ray and Aaron "...you knew?"
Neither man answered immediately. Jason's breathing became heavier. "Then why didn't you tell me?"
"We couldn't," Ray said quietly.
"Why?"
"Because we were still trying to uncover the entire truth."
Jason stared at them, anger and disbelief mixing in his eyes. "There has to be more to this."
Aaron nodded "There is."
Jason remained silent. Aaron looked at Ray once more before turning back to him.
"There are things that happened before you left, things you were never told."
Jason's expression hardened.
"What things?"
Aaron took a slow breath "Three years ago, everything changed."
He paused "And now, Jason... I think it's time you knew everything."
"Jason, Olivia is not my daughter," Aaron said, his voice filled with restrained anger.
Jason stared at him in disbelief "What?"
"Olivia is not my daughter," Aaron repeated firmly. "And she was the one who tried to harm Anne."
Jason's expression changed instantly.
"Then why...?"
"That is the reason we told you to pretend to be close to her," Aaron continued. "We needed to keep Olivia from becoming suspicious while we tried to uncover the truth."
Jason remained silent, struggling to process everything he had just heard.
"We still don't know the entire reason behind what she did to Anne," Aaron added. "We're trying to find out what motivated her."