A/n : 7000+ words ... Enjoy 😁.

"Do Votes and beautiful Comments"

Olivia's P.O.V.

"Hello Olivia ... I am Evelina Parker. You can call me Eve. Your doctor recommended me to help with your physiotherapy." She extends her hand for me to shake. I shake my hand with her.

I can't help but notice how graceful she looks. She looks like she's in her early 40s, with warm, hazel eyes that immediately put me at ease. Her auburn hair is neatly tied back in a low ponytail, and she's wearing a soft, navy-blue blouse with a professional touch that still feels approachable.

William and Hazel are sitting beside me while Ethan and Sophia are standing on each side of me, looking at the Physiotherapist who is sitting infront of me.

Evelina looks at my brothers and says, "Let me explain how we'll proceed, and you can all ask me questions if you have any. Olivia."

she turns her attention back to me, "I'll be coming here every day at 1 pm for a two-hour session. During this time, we'll focus on improving the strength and circulation in your legs through a combination of massage and specific exercises. Does that sound okay to you ?"

I manage a small smile. "Yes, I think so."

Everything is okay for me if it can makes me walk.

William leans forward. "You said two hours a day. What if Olivia gets tired, or her legs start to hurt ?" He's sitting next to me, arms crossed, looking at Dr. Evelina like a hawk, his face full of protective concern.

Evelina looks at him and nods her head, "I understand your concern, Mr. Hernandez. It's important to note that the sessions will be paced according to Olivia's comfort. We'll start slowly, with gentle massage and passive exercises. If she feels any discomfort, we'll stop immediately. The key is to listen to her body, not push too hard."

He nods his head slight unsure.

She turns towards me and smiles gently, "The process will be slow, but consistent efforts will give results."

A small hope flickers in my heart.

I can try. I will try.

She turns towards my family again, "Apart from my sessions, I'll leave you all with some tasks to do on your own. For instance," she reaches into her bag and pulls out a small bottle of oil, "this is a special therapeutic oil. I'll show you how to massage Olivia's legs with it. I suggest you do this every night before bedtime."

Hazel takes the bottle from her, studying it carefully. "We'll do that," she says softly. "But... will it hurt her ?"

"Not at all," Dr. Evelina assures her. "The massage is meant to be gentle and soothing. It'll improve blood flow and help her muscles relax. I'll demonstrate it today so you can all see how it's done."

Ethan steps closer, his brow furrowed. "What about the exercises ? What will those involve ?"

Dr. Evelina looks at him, her expression thoughtful. "We'll start with passive exercises since Olivia can't move her legs actively yet. That means I'll be helping her move her legs through specific motions to prevent stiffness and maintain joint mobility. Later, as her muscles get stronger, we'll transition to active exercises where she'll try to move her legs on her own."

William glances at me, "And you're sure this won't stress her out too much ?"

"Like I said, we will listen to her body, Mr. Hernandez. I'll keep an eye on Olivia's energy levels throughout the session. The goal here is not to overwhelm her but to build strength gradually. We'll take breaks, we'll adjust. If she starts to feel pain, we stop. But gentle, controlled movements are necessary to help with her recovery. It's not just about the exercise—it's about waking up the muscles, keeping the joints mobile, and improving circulation."

Hazel keeps her hand on his hand squeezing slightly.

I finally find my voice. "So... how long will it take for me to feel any progress ?"

She looks at me with genuine empathy. "That's a hard question to answer, Olivia. Every person heals differently. But if we stick to the routine, you should start noticing small improvements in a few weeks—better flexibility, a bit more strength."

"Doctor what about her mental state ?" Sophia speaks up for the first time, "Will it affect ?"

Evelina nods her head, "You're right," and turns towards me seriously, "Physiotherapy is as much about mental well-being as it is about physical recovery. Olivia, it's important to stay positive and patient. And with such a supportive family, I'm sure you'll manage beautifully."

I nod my head, forcing a small smile.

Evelina turns towards my family, "Make sure Olivia feels encouraged, not pressured. And if you have any questions or concerns, I'm always here to help."

"Doctor is there anything else we can do ?" Ethan asks.

Evelina nods her head, "Do ensure Olivia stays hydrated and eats a balanced diet to support her recovery. Don't force her to do anything that causes pain or discomfort. And please, no skipping the massages or exercises—consistency is key."

They nod their heads and she turns towards me with a smile, "Let's teach your family how to give you a proper massage."

She gestures for me to sit up slightly, and Hazel and William help adjust my position. As she explains the massage techniques step by step, everyone of them listening to her with so much attentiveness.

I smile slightly. Maybe everything will be fine soon.

<<°>>~<<°>>

"Nooo....whyyyy ??" I whin slightly as Jack pulls me up in a sitting position.

I am fucking sleepy.

"Stop sleeping, you lazyass. Get up right now," he says sternly, holding my arms and forcing me to sit upright.

What does this guy want now?

I glare at him with my half-closed eyes, still heavy with sleep.

He smirks and flicks my forehead. "Stop trying to glare. Even a kid would laugh at that."

I roll my eyes at that. "What do you want? Why did you wake me up?" I ask, annoyance dripping from my voice.

"Get ready! We're going to the mall," he says, grinning and flashing his pearly white teeth.

I narrow my eyes at him. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm sleepy. Let me freaking sleep."

He rolls his eyes. "We're not on this trip to sleep, Olivia. We're here to enjoy, and that's why we're going."

I raise my eyebrow at him. "Is it really necessary right now? Because I'm actually very sleepy," I say, stifling a yawn.

"You can sleep in the car. Now, wake up. Hazel is coming. She'll help you get ready, and then we'll go, okay?"

"No, we'll go some other day. I don't want to leave my room right now," I mumble, rubbing my eyes lazily.

"Okay then, I'll be back in half an hour, and I won't care if you're still in your nightdress. I won't care if your hair looks like a bird's nest. I'll pick you up in whatever condition you're in, and trust me, we'll go to the mall just like that," he threatens me. 

I gasp, staring at him in horror. 

But he doesn't even bat an eye. 

I groan in frustration at that. 

"Okay?" he says, narrowing his eyes at me. 

I huff and look away. Like I have a choice. 

I mean, technically, I do—but this is Jack we're talking about. He never makes empty threats. 

Before I can respond, Hazel walks into my room. 

With her help, I get ready. 

Jack pushes my chair while Hazel walks beside us.

"Jack," Hazel starts, her tone is filled with strictness and firmness.

"Listen to me carefully. Make sure Olivia eats everything properly. No skipping meals, do you understand ?"

Jack sighs dramatically but nods. "Yes, ma'am," he says, his tone teasing.

Hazel doesn't even flinch at his sarcasm. "And bring her back on time. Last time William took her out, they didn't have anything except ice cream and came back way too late. That is not happening again."

I sigh. And here comes the mother hen.

I glance at Jack, who's trying very hard to suppress a smile, but I can tell he's enjoying this little lecture more than he should.

Hazel continues, her hands on her hips now. "Don't keep your phone on silent. If you're coming late, at least message someone. And for heaven's sake, eat a proper meal ! None of this fast food nonsense."

"Anything else, Hazel ?" Jack asks, pretending to look around for a notebook to jot down her instructions. "Should I write this down, or will you text me the list ?"

I can't help but chuckle at that.

She narrows her eyes at us.

"I am serious, Jack" She tells us.

"Ooo and I am Jack Hernandez. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Serious." He says, extending his hand for a handshake.

She slaps his hand. I stiffle my laugh.

Hazel rolls her eyes at Jack's sarcasm but doesn't miss a beat. "Very funny. But you're not off the hook, Jack. If anything happens, anything, you call me immediately. Got it ?"

Jack sighs again, louder this time, and throws his hands up in mock exasperation. "Why don't you just come with us, Hazel ? That'll be much better for everyone."

Hazel smacks him lightly on the head, and I laugh despite myself. "No, it's sibling time," she says firmly, though there's a small smile tugging at her lips. "So you both go and enjoy. And don't make me regret this."

Jack grins, and I feel a warmth in my chest that I haven't felt in a long time.

Hazel steps aside, and waves at us.

"Bye, Hazel," Jack pushes my wheelchair towards the garage.

Once we're there, he parks my chair beside the car and opens the passenger door. His movements are careful, deliberate, as though he's handling something precious. Without a word, he bends down and gently picks me up, his arms steady and strong.

"Alright, let's get you comfortable," he says softly, settling me into the seat. I watch as he adjusts the seatbelt, his fingers working quickly but gently to make sure it's secure. He even grabs a small cushion from the backseat and tucks it behind me.

"Better ?" he asks, his warm eyes meeting mine.

I nod. "Hmm."

He smiles and closes the door, then folds up my wheelchair and places it in the trunk with ease. When he finally slides into the driver's seat, he turns to me with a playful grin. "Let's rock the dayyyy"

With that, he pulls out of the driveway.

The car hums steadily beneath me as Jack drives.

I look out of the window. The trees blur together as we speed down the road, the world outside rushing by too quickly for me to focus on any one thing.

"You know," I turn toward Jack, hearing his calm voice. 

He glances at me, then shifts his eyes back to the road. "I didn't think you'd ever want to spend time with me again." 

I raise an eyebrow at him. 

"And to be honest, somewhere deep down, I had already accepted that," he sighs. "Because I know I deserve it—everything—after what I did to you, to everyone." 

I stare at him as his fist tightens around the steering wheel. 

"I know I'm not the comforting or caring type of guy. I'm not the person you'd go to when you need comfort, b-but—Olivia—I just want to say that I love you. I love you all. Even when I behave roughly with Mason and Michael, I love them too. And I love you, Olivia—genuinely. I know you might think I'm asking for forgiveness because of the accident, but—" 

He glances at me, meeting my eyes for a brief moment before looking back at the road. 

"Trust me, Olivia—I just can't live without you. I can't live without any of you. I know it's hard to trust me, and that's absolutely okay, Olivia," he says, his eyes locking with mine again. 

I swallow hard, a lump forming in my throat as I sigh softly. 

"But, You did hate me, Jack.." I mumble, turning my gaze away from him. 

I could never forget how he reminded me, over and over, that he hated me with all his guts—how he had literally called me a bitch.

He sighs. "Olivia, I was barely 18 when William and Ethan left the house. You know, they were the ones who always protected me—or at least, most of the time, protected me from Dad's belts. Especially William. After they left, I felt like I lost everything... I-I felt like I... I don't know how to express it—" 

He turns the steering wheel to the right. 

"Suddenly, I became the eldest son of the house... Suddenly, everything falls on my shoulders," his knuckles tighten slightly around the steering wheel as he continues. 

"I thought I'd take care of you guys. I promised myself I wouldn't ever let Mom and Dad touch you... I swear, Olivia, trust me, I tried. But... I got lost. Michael and Noah became too aggressive... They kept getting into fights... It was like their coping mechanism after William and Ethan left, was the fights. You used to lock your room up, refusing to listen to anyone. Mason was the only one who was actually sane at that time, but then... the death of Ria broke him." 

I stiffen at the mention of Ria. He's right. Mason was the only sane one when William and Ethan left the house. 

Frustrated by his calm nature, I even asked him why he was so calm, like he didn't miss William or Ethan. He told me that, he missed them too, but William had always taught him that we should take care of each other in the family. If one of us is breaking down, the other should stand stronger to hold them up. We can't break together. 

That was the day, I truly agreed—he was indeed older than me, no matter if it was only by 14 minutes. 

"After her death, we all saw how he lost his sanity... It was getting hard for me to control everything... Dad was fucking furious with each one of us... He kept getting complaints from Noah and Michael's school... He kept getting frustrated with Mason's broken self... He kept getting angry at Mason for being unable to control his tears, whether in front of them or us... He kept getting angry on your stubborn self of locking yourself up in your room...I couldn't let him take his anger out on you guys..."

I look at him, a frown creasing my face. He looks lost. 

I gasp as a realization hits me hard. My eyes widen in horror. "Y-You took p-punishment for us ?" 

He glances toward me, scanning my face for a second before turning back to the road with a sigh. 

I feel my breath hitch in my lungs. 

"But slowly, everything started changing... Noah got into a relationship... He maintained his distance from the fights... Michael busied himself with basketball... He still gets into fights, but he knows how to keep it to school... Mason started crying only in the washroom... "

I stare at him blankly. "What about me?"

He looks at me, his eyes softening.

"I was there for you at that time, Olivia."

I clench my jaw. "You weren't, Jack."

He narrows his eyes at me. "I was, Olivia... If you're forgetting, I was there for you after William and Ethan left."

"But then you did leave," I spit harshly.

"I didn't leave, Olivia... I was just fighting my own battles," he grits out through clenched teeth.

"Aren't we all? You weren't the only one struggling, Jack. You shouldn't have behaved so selfishly," I glare at him.

"And I'm not denying that, Olivia... But you can't tell me I wasn't there for anyone. I tried my best to be present for all of you, and you know that," he says, looking at me blankly.

"THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, JACK!" I shout, my voice trembling. "YOU WERE THERE FOR ME—FOR ALL OF US—WHEN WILLIAM AND ETHAN LEFT! YOU MADE ME ADDICTED TO YOUR PRESENCE, YOU MADE ME BELIEVE YOU'D ALWAYS BE THERE, AND THEN YOU LEFT! YOU LEFT AFTER MAKING ME BELIEVE YOU'D NEVER LEAVE ME! SO, YES, YOU DID LEAVE US! YOU WERE NOT THERE FOR US—"

"THAT'S BECAUSE I WAS TOO FUCKING LOST!" he yells back, his voice cracking under the weight of his words. "THAT WAS MY AGE TO CHOOSE MY CAREER, OLIVIA! I WANTED TO BECOME A SINGER... I WAS NEVER GOOD AT STUDIES, BUT THEY NEVER LET ME. I WAS STRESSED, LOST, AND WHAT NOT... LIKE WILLIAM, DAD GAVE ME AN OPTION—AN OPTION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN YOU GUYS OR SINGING! I HAD A GREAT OFFER IN MY HAND, OLIVIA! IF I WANTED, I COULD HAVE LEFT EVERYTHING IN A SECOND, BUT I NEVER DID! I WAS NEVER SELFISH, OLIVIA!"

His voice echoes in the car, the silence that follows suffocating. My chest tightens as I look at him, his hands gripping the steering wheel, knuckles white.

He glares at me, his voice rising again, "I CHOSE YOU GUYS OVER MY FUCKING HAPPINESS! I KNEW IF I LEFT, THEN WHO WOULD BE THERE FOR YOU ALL? AND I NEVER REGRETTED MY DECISION, OLIVIA, SO STOP FUCKING CALLING ME SELFISH! I WAS THERE FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO SOME FUCKING EXTENT... BUT OLIVIA, WHO WAS THERE FOR ME?"

That instantly silences me. His eyes glisten with unshed tears, a thin layer of water clouding them as he clenches his jaw and turns the steering wheel to the left.

"I-I was alone, Olivia," he murmurs, his voice trembling. "Even after choosing studies over singing, I wasn't able to ace my exams. Studies were never my cup of tea... and that only made Dad angrier with me. I was so tired of pretending to be happy when, inside, I just wanted to fucking kill myself..."

His last words hang in the air like a knife. My throat tightens, and tears sting my eyes as I stare at him, speechless.

"You could've at least told me what you were going through," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He shakes his head, his voice softer now. "You were 14, Olivia. And that's why I'm asking for forgiveness from you. You were just a kid... not me. Everything that happened in my life is no one's fault—I never blamed any of you—but still, I created distance. You guys suffered because of it, especially you, Olivia. I protected the boys from Dad's abuse, but I couldn't protect you... and trust me, that's going to be the biggest regret of my life."

He sighs deeply, turning his face away from me as if he's ashamed to look me in the eye.

I swallow hard, my throat aching as I speak, "You still didn't answer my question, Jack. Did you ever hate me?"

The silence stretches between us, heavy and suffocating, as I wait for his answer.

Jack looks at me again. "If I hated you, then why would I choose you guys over my career?"

Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, "But you reminded me of it every moment—calling me a bitch and telling me that you hated me."

"That's because, at that time, you were behaving like that, Olivia—"

"What the—" I glare at him.

"Tell me if I'm wrong," he glares back. "I never expected anything from Mom and Dad, but I did expect you to at least support me in singing. And what did you do? Trying to impress Mom and Dad, you told me to do whatever they wanted me to do."

I bite my lip at that... the sting of his words making me look away. He's right. I don't want to admit it, but he's right.

"I was a kid, Jack," I mumble softly, almost defensively. I glance at him, guilt pooling in my chest. I remember those days—how I would echo Mom and Dad's words, telling him to stop 'wasting his time' and focus on his studies, thinking I was helping. I never realized how much that must have hurt him.

"If I am not wrong, you even complained to Dad about Michael playing basketball and not studying, right ?"

I- he is right. I did behave like a bitch.

"Jack..." I whisper, my voice trembling. "I didn't know any better..."

He shakes his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "I know. And that's why I never held it against you, Olivia. I was angry. I was hurt. And I said things I shouldn't have—things I will regret for the rest of my life."

He glances at me and sighs. "I know, Olivia. We all made mistakes. Anything that's happening in our lives is not your fault. You deserve everything. You deserve every bit of love and attention from your brothers, and we, as your brothers, are at fault for leaving you on your own, even knowing you were just a kid. But as much as it's our mistake, Olivia, there are always two sides to the coin."

He glances toward me. "No one is going to tell you this, but I will. If we are at fault here, you were too. If 80% of it is our mistake, then 20% is yours. I'm not blaming you or anything, but Olivia, when we realized our mistakes, we did come back to you. But then you chose Lucas over us, didn't you?"

I grit my teeth. "That's because, Jack, I was fucking alone when he came into my life. I could never leave someone who was there for me when no one else was. Even though everything was fake, there was something there," I snap, glaring at him sharply. "And Jack, don't forget—everyone chose something or someone else over me too."

"I never did, Olivia," he replies immediately. "And you know very well that I never chose anything or anyone over you. I—"

"No, Jack," I cut him off. "I locked myself away... I was alone."

"And I was the one who took you out of your locked room, Olivia," he interrupts me.

"And then what? You took me out of my locked room and then busied yourself with parties and girls," I spit harshly.

"That's because I was hurt too, Olivia. I needed something to distract myself... But that doesn't mean I left you," he says, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

I look outside the window. "Like you, everyone needed a break, Jack. Just like you all created distance from me, I created distance from you too."

"But in distracting ourselves, we forgot about each other," he murmurs. "That day, when you told me you have nothing to do with me, when you said that instead of William, I should've been the one to leave the house, I felt broken, Olivia. I thought I lost you too," his voice lowers to almost a whisper. "I felt like I did everything for you all, and this is what I got in return."

My heart clenches as the memory of my cruel words resurfaces. I was so rude back then.

"I-I told you that because you told me to stay away from L-Lucas," I mumble softly.

"Because everything about that guy seemed off, Olivia... But I never had proper proof to prove it. That's why I kept telling you to stay away from him."

I sigh deeply. Everyone sensed something off about Lucas's behavior—everyone except me. I was the only one who was fucking blind in his love.

"But when Mason told us how that bastard tried to touch you—" Jack grits his teeth, his jaw tightening visibly, "I lost it."

I open my mouth to say something, but the words catch in my throat as the car suddenly feels like it's moving faster. I glance at the speedometer. Jack's foot is pressing heavier on the gas.

"Jack," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "You're speeding."

"It's fine," he says, brushing me off. "We're on an open road. No one's here."

But it's not fine.

"If It's in my hand, I would've fucking kill that bastard."

The hum of the car grows louder, and the scenery outside blurs even more. My heart starts to race, my chest tightening as my breathing becomes shallow.

The memory creeps in, uninvited. The screech of tires, the blaring horn of a truck, the shattering of glass—

"Jack," I whisper, but he doesn't hear me.

The world around me fades, replaced by the horrifying clarity of that moment. The truck is coming towards me again, its headlights blinding. I can feel the impact before it happens, the jolt, the pain—

"No," I mumble, my hands trembling. "N-no... t-truck—s-slow—down—"

Jack's head snaps toward me, his eyes wide. "Olivia?" His voice is sharper now, panicked.

"P-please—" My chest feels like it's caving in, my breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. My vision blurs, and the air feels too thick, too heavy.

"Shit," Jack curses under his breath. He slams on the brakes, pulling the car to the side of the road. The sudden stop jolts me, but the panic doesn't fade. My hands are shaking, and I can't catch my breath.

"Olivia," Jack says again, his voice softer now. He unbuckles his seatbelt and reaches for me, his hands gentle but firm as he turns me toward him unbuckling my seatbelt. "Hey, look at me. You're safe. It's okay. Just breathe."

I can't. The words are stuck in my throat, and the memory is too vivid, too real.

Jack grabs my hand and presses it to his chest, right over his heart. "Feel that ? It's steady. It's real. You're here with me, Liv. Just focus on that, okay ?"

His heartbeat is strong, grounding. I try to match my breaths to its rhythm, but it's hard. My lungs still feel too tight, but Jack doesn't let go. His other hand cups the side of my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek.

"You're okay," he murmurs, his voice steady and soothing. "I've got you. Nothing's going to happen. Just stay with me."

Slowly, my breathing begins to even out. The panic ebbs away, leaving me feeling drained and shaky. My head rests against Jack's chest, his hand still holding mine.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice breaking.

Jack shakes his head, his chin brushing against the top of my head. "Don't be. It's not your fault, Olivia. None of this is."

"No—it's my fault too—" I sob against his chest, my voice trembling. "I-I am sorry... I was n-not there f-for you when y-you needed m-me... I b-behaved l-like a bitch w-with you guys... I- am- s-sorry—"

He tightens his arms around me, holding me firmly. "No—Ssshh... Stop it, Olivia. I didn't tell you this to hear an apology from you."

I hiccup as tears stream down my face uncontrollably.

Gently, he tilts my chin up, his thumb wiping the tears from my cheeks. He leans down and presses a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Ssshhh... stop crying," he whispers, cupping my face with both hands. His touch is gentle but steady. "I told you everything just to make you realize that we all made mistakes in the past... We all fucked up in one way or another. But that doesn't mean we didn't love each other, Olivia."

He looks deep into my eyes, his gaze gentle. "Imagine if that day, instead of you, I had been in the car during the accident. If I had been in your place on the wheelchair, then ? Would you have left me ?"

I freeze for a second, the thought cutting through my heart like a knife. I immediately shake my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "No... never."

I cannot even imagine anyone else in my place. I would die if I saw any of my brothers suffering like this. I would never want to see my family in this condition.

"If I were in your place, sitting in a wheelchair, would you care for me out of pity ?"

I shake my head, "N-No".

He smiles softly. "So, how could you even think that we're pitying you? How could you think we're taking care of you out of pity?"

He gently wipes away another tear that slips down my cheek.

"I know it's hard for you to believe that we're doing all this out of love, but you need to stop thinking it's out of pity. We love you, and we care for you. That's all there is to it," he says gently.

Before I can respond, he adds, "No matter how much we fight, we'll always be there for each other. No matter how much you think you hate us, you'll always find us standing by your side whenever you need us. I promise you that, Olivia... We're not going to leave you—not until your last breath."

I sniff softly. "Promise ?"

He smiles warmly. "Promise," he says, pulling me back into a hug.

It doesn't take more than half an hour before we finally reach the mall.

"We talked too much emotional stuff.... now, no more tears. We're going shopping," he says, hopping out of the car.

I sigh, shaking my head. Jack and emotional stuff don't usually go together, so it surprises me that he said so much to me today. And everything came straight from his heart.

He opens my door and gestures for me to get out. "C'mon, don't just sit there. You need this."

"I don't need shopping," I mutter under my breath, but I let him help me out.

The mall stands tall and bustling before us, its glass entrance gleaming under the afternoon sun. People move in and out like busy bees, their chatter and laughter filling the air. For a moment, I hesitate.

Jack pushes my wheelchair towards the Entrance.

Inside the mall, the air-conditioning hits me like a cool breeze, and the hum of activity instantly overwhelms my senses. People mill about—couples holding hands, kids dragging their parents toward toy stores, and teenagers giggling with arms full of shopping bags. For a moment, I feel out of place, like I don't belong here anymore.

Jack nudges me playfully. "Why are your expressions are like someone's going to bite you ? Loosen up, Olivia."

I roll my eyes. "This is a bad idea."

"Correction. This is a great idea," he says dramatically, steering me toward the first store—a giant clothing outlet that's playing upbeat music. "We're buying you clothes."

I stop him from moving me forward, "What ? No, we're not. I don't need anything."

"Of course, you do," Jack counters, pushing me inside despite my protests. "You're always wearing those oversized hoodies and joggers. I'm tired of seeing you dressed like you're ready to sleep 24/7."

"Jack!" I hiss, glaring at him. But he's already rummaging through racks of clothes like he's on some kind of mission.

"This." He holds up a light blue dress and waves it in front of me. "Try it."

I cross my arms. "No."

"Why not ?"

"Because I said so."

Jack groans, clearly exasperated. "Olivia, please just try it on. You don't even have to buy it. Just... humor me."

I glare at him for a long moment before finally snatching the dress from his hands. "Fine. One. And then we leave."

"Deal," he says with a victorious grin.

Inside the fitting room, I stare at myself in the mirror. The dress is light, flowy, and far from the clothes I usually wear. The soft blue fabric contrasts with my pale skin, and for the first time in a long time, I almost don't recognize myself.

When I come out, Jack's eyes widen. "Whoa."

"You look... good. Really good," he says, a proud smile spreading across his face. "See? I told you."

I roll my eyes, but my cheeks flush slightly. "It's okay, I guess."

Jack claps his hands together. "Okay? That's the most positive thing you've said in days. We're buying it."

"I didn't agree to that!"

But Jack ignores me, snatching the tag and practically sprinting to the cashier before I can stop him. 

"I hope I won't regret coming with you."

He ignores me, again. 

I push my wheelchair behind Jack as he strolls ahead, hands carrying bags. I look around. 

Why do I have a feeling that someone is watching us ?

Out of nowhere, this feeling creeps in. 

I slow down slightly, a strange chill running down my spine. It's that unsettling sensation—the one you get when you know someone's watching you. My fingers tighten on the wheels as I look up, my eyes darting around. The food court, the clothing stores, the escalators—everything seems normal. People are busy with their own lives. No one seems out of place.

I let out a small breath, shaking my head. Maybe I'm overthinking.

But the feeling doesn't go away. It lingers. I stop my wheelchair completely and glance over my shoulder, scanning the crowd again. My heartbeat picks up as I search the sea of unfamiliar faces, trying to shake off the unease gnawing at me.

And then—I see him.

James.

He's standing a little distance away, partially hidden in the crowd, but I know it's him. His sharp features, the cold stare that seems to cut through the chaos of the mall. My breath catches, and my body goes cold.

I blink once.

And he's gone.

The spot where I saw him is empty now, just a group of people walking past, laughing like nothing happened. I scan the area frantically, my pulse quickening. Was he really there? My chest tightens, confusion clouding my thoughts.

"Olivia?"

Jack's voice jolts me, and I snap my head toward him. He's standing a few feet ahead, watching me with a slight frown. "You okay ? You spaced out back there."

"I..." I hesitate, glancing back to where I thought I saw James. The crowd blurs together now, ordinary and harmless. My hands tremble slightly against the wheels of my chair, but I swallow and force a smile. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Jack narrows his eyes, clearly not convinced, but he shrugs it off. "Come on. We are going to buy more things."

I nod and push myself forward, trying to match his pace, but my mind is racing. Did I actually see him? It couldn't have been real... could it? Maybe it's just my imagination, playing tricks on me. Hmm Possible... I am just overthinking.

He takes me almost in every clothes shops and we did buy many things. For me. For him. For Everyone.

As we leave the store, Jack suggests we grab something to eat. My stomach betrays me with a loud grumble at the mention of food. "Fine," I mutter, and he bursts into laughter.

We settle into a café in the food court, ordering sandwiches and milkshakes. We were talking about random things, when one girl walks in.

A girl—probably in her early twenties, with perfectly curled hair and a blinding smile—comes over to our table. She's all confident strides and sparkling eyes, and oh no, she's looking directly at Jack.

"Hey," she says, her voice dripping with flirtatious sweetness. "Is this seat taken ?"

Jack raises a brow, already smirking like the overconfident idiot he is. "Depends. You want me to move over, or let you sit closer ?"

I stare at him, wide-eyed. Are you serious, Jack ?! Idiot.

The girl giggles—giggles—and Jack looks pleased with himself, leaning back in his chair like he's already won the lottery. I groan internally. I'm invisible at this point, clearly third-wheeling my own milkshake. 

They continue their flirty exchange for a moment before the girl leans in, lowering her voice dramatically. "Why don't you... come over there ?" She tilts her head toward the corner, her tone laced with obvious suggestion.

Jack's smirk widens, and he turns to me, eyes practically shining with mischief, like he's about to say something absolutely ridiculous. I know that look. Before he can even open his mouth, I slam my milkshake onto the table and blurt, "No."

Jack freezes, his smirk twitching as he bites back a laugh. "What ? I didn't even say anything!"

I glare at him. "You were going to."

The girl looks between us, confused, before asking, "Wait... is he your boyfriend?"

I nearly choke on air. "Eww. No!" I shake my head so fast it's a miracle I don't give myself whiplash. "He's my brother."

Her eyes widen, and she smiles as if that information just made her day. "Oh! Then why not ? Pleaseee."

I blink at her, absolutely floored. "Why not—what?"

"Let him come!" she says, pouting dramatically.

Jack, meanwhile, is having the time of his life. His shoulders shake as he tries not to laugh, watching me like this is the greatest show on Earth. He leans back, giving the girl an apologetic shrug. "Sorry, your bad luck. Madam here isn't agreeing."

The girl turns back to me, still pleading, "Oh, come on! He's cute."

I look at her in disbelief. "That's not the point!"

Jack finally lets out a muffled laugh, running a hand through his hair like he's the star of some rom-com. "You know, Liv, I didn't realize you were my manager now."

"Shut the fuck up", I mutter, glaring at him.

The girl sighs dramatically, clearly not giving up yet. "Fine, but if you change your mind..." she winks at Jack before walking away, leaving me utterly exasperated.

Jack bursts out laughing, shaking his head as he watches her go. "Wow, Olivia. Way to block my social life."

"Social life ?" I scoff, crossing my arms, "Do your social life, when I am not around... okay ?"

He snickers, "Why ? Can't handle your brother's ability of attracting girls ?"

I throw a napkin at him, making him laugh even harder. Jack and flirting—it's like a natural disaster, except worse.

"Next time," I mumble, taking a sip of my milkshake, "I'm sitting at a different table."

Jack just smirks. "No promises, Olivia. No promises."

Jack and I roam around the mall for a while, laughing and teasing each other like we haven't done in ages. I honestly feel light—like the weight on my chest has lifted, even if just for a bit.

After a while, Jack suddenly stops and turns to me with an unusually serious face. "Olivia, I need to use the washroom. Will you be okay for two minutes ?"

I arch a brow. "You're asking as if I'm a kid, Jack. Yes, I'll be fine. Go."

"Are you sure ?" he presses, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes!" I roll my eyes dramatically. "Just go. I'll scroll through my phone or something."

He nods reluctantly. "Alright, but I won't be long. Stay here, okay ?"

"Got it. Go now."

Jack walks off toward the washroom, disappearing into the crowd. I sit comfortably in my wheelchair, unlocking my phone and aimlessly scrolling through social media. I'm barely a minute in when I hear footsteps approaching me. I glance up out of instinct, and my breath hitches slightly.

Standing there is a guy—tall, lean, and honestly... very handsome. He's got a mop of soft brown hair that falls perfectly, warm brown eyes, and an easy smile that makes him look annoyingly charming. He's holding a small bouquet of vibrant red and yellow roses in his hand.

"Hi," he says, voice gentle and smooth.

I blink at him, confused. "Um... hi ?"

He takes a small step closer, his smile widening. "I don't want to disturb you, but I... uh..." He chuckles softly, rubbing the back of his neck as if he's nervous. "I saw you sitting here, and I... couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are."

My eyes widen slightly. What now ?

He lifts the bouquet toward me. "I know this is sudden, but I wanted to give these to you."

I stare at the flowers, then back at him. Is this guy serious ? "Oh... no, thank you. That's really sweet of you, but I—"

"Please," he cuts me off gently, his tone kind but insistent. "I'm not asking for your number or anything. I swear. It's just... I saw you, and I thought you deserved these flowers. That's all."

I open my mouth to deny him again, but he keeps talking, his voice warm and sincere. "Look, I know this is random, and you probably think I'm crazy." He laughs softly. "But I'm just a stranger with some flowers and good intentions. Nothing more. So... please ? It's just a gesture."

"That's really kind of you, but I—" I start politely, shaking my head.

"Please," he interrupts gently, his voice still soft. "I promise there's no catch. You don't have to feel awkward or anything. I just... I saw you, and I thought these would suit you." He smiles again, earnest and kind. "You don't have to take them if you don't want to. I'll leave right away if you say no. I swear."

I sigh, feeling cornered. His words sound so genuine, and honestly, he is being polite. I glance at the flowers again and give in with a resigned breath. "Fine. Okay."

His smile brightens instantly, and he hands me the roses. "Thank you. I hope they make your day a little better."

"They're lovely," I say softly, looking down at the bright petals.

"Good," he replies. "Oh, and before I leave, take a smell of them—they're fresh and smell amazing."

I glance up at him, nodding slightly. Well, he doesn't seem too bad. I lift the bouquet closer, ready to take a small whiff—

When suddenly, a firm hand grips my wrist, stopping me.

I gasp, looking up sharply to see Jack standing there, his expression dark and intimidating as he glares at the boy. My eyes widen. Oh no. "What's going on here? "

The guy immediately steps back, startled by Jack's sudden presence. "Whoa, I—"

Jack narrows his eyes, arms crossed tightly over his chest. "Who are you ? And what do you want with my sister ?"

"Jack," I mutter, feeling embarrassed. "Calm down."

The guy raises his hands in defense, his voice calm. "Hey, I promise it's nothing bad. I just gave her flowers because I thought she was beautiful. That's all. I swear I didn't mean any harm."

Jack looks at him like he's deciding whether or not to throw him into a wall. He gives the guy a hard stare, his jaw clenching. Finally, he nods curtly. "Fine. I don't think you're lying."

The guy exhales a breath of relief. "Thank you." He looks at me, smiling again. "Enjoy the flowers."

Jack jerks his head toward the exit. "Go now."

The guy nods and quickly turns to leave, disappearing into the crowd as fast as he appeared. I sit there, stunned for a moment, still holding the bouquet.

Jack glares down at me, his brows furrowed in disapproval. "I shouldn't have left you alone."

"Why ?" I ask, tilting my head.

He crosses his arms, scowling. "See? I leave for two minutes, and some guy starts flirting with you."

I burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the mall. Jack's grumpy expression only makes it worse. "Oh my God, Jack! You're being dramatic. He just gave me flowers. That's it."

"Just flowers ?" he mutters grumpily. "Do you know how many times guys use that line ?"

"You're ridiculous," I tease, still giggling. "Weren't you the one flirting with that girl earlier ? Huh ? Where was your concern then ?"

Jack stiffens, narrowing his eyes at me. "That's different, because she approached me, not the other way."

"Sure, sure," I say, rolling my eyes playfully.

As I laugh, Jack's gaze falls on the roses sitting innocently in my lap. Without warning, he snatches the bouquet and tosses it straight into the trash bin beside us.

"Jack!" I yelp in shock. "What the hell ? Why did you do that ?"

He shrugs, looking unbothered. "Because I didn't like them."

"What do you mean you didn't like them?" I ask incredulously. "They are actually beautiful, Jack."

He mutters under his breath, "That boy was clearly flirting with you. You don't need to keep those flowers."

"You're unbelievable," I huff, shaking my head.

Jack turns to me, completely unapologetic. "What? I can buy you an entire flower shop if you want. Hell, I'll get you a whole garden. You don't need roses from him."

I burst out laughing again, wheeling myself alongside him as we head toward the exit. "You're ridiculous, Jack."

He grumbles under his breath, shaking his head, but there's a small, fond smile tugging at his lips as he glances down at me.

And just like that, we leave the mall, bickering playfully all the way to the car.

<<°>>~<<°>>

"Remind me to never go out alone with you, Jack. You are unbelievable," I mutter as he helps me sit in the wheelchair. 

He laughs out loud. "Why? I’m not that bad." 

I look at him in disbelief. "Seriously? You started flirting with the traffic police, Jack?" 

Jack shrugs. "I forgot my license. I had to do something." 

He says casually, pushing my wheelchair toward home. 

"You could’ve just paid the fine instead of flirting, Jack. And eww... that was so cringe." I scrunch my nose as the memory of him using a cheesy pick-up line when the officer asked for his license flashes in my mind. 

"Shut up, Olivia," he smirks at me. "Didn’t you notice the blush on her face when I flirted with her?" 

I roll my eyes. "It was pure luck that she fell for your cringe pick-up line, Jack. Otherwise, we’d be sitting in a jail cell right now." 

Jack chuckles, unfazed. "And for that, we have our dear brother, Ethan Hernandez, to save the day. Relax, sis—he’d bail us out in no time."

You wish, Jack !

I remember vividly how Ethan once decided to put me in lock-up for breaking traffic rules. If not for Sophia’s intervention, I would have spent the night behind bars. 

Clearly, Jack is delusional if he actually thinks Ethan would help him out in such a situation. 

As we step inside the house, my ears immediately perk up at the sound of a familiar voice. 

My head snaps toward the dining table, and my heart skips a beat as I spot a familiar face sitting there with my brothers.

To Be Continued...

After a long time, isn't it ?

The next chapter won’t be delayed—I’ll try my best to update weekly. 

Also, thank you so, so, so much for all your prayers and support! ❤️ I got an internship, and it’s remote! I’m forever grateful to all of you. May God bless you with endless happiness, love, and prosperity🧿🌠.

Guess... Who is in the house now ?

Lots of drama is going to unfold because of this character... So guess who is he/she ? 😏🤣

Let's see... Whose guess hits the bulleye? 😁

Don't forget to Vote and Comment.

I will meet you guys soon till then stay safe, take care and Love yourself ❤️.

Byee Byee ... Luv ya 😘.

Published : 18 December 2024.

Total words : 7936 words 😁.