DAMIEN'S POV

As I stood there in my impeccably tailored suit, my gaze fell upon Olivia's brightly colored dress, wrinkling my nose in mild distaste. The clash of vibrant pink amidst a sea of elegant blacks didn't sit well with my sense of style. A subtle cough escaped my lips, an attempt to conceal my opinion on the cheap-looking fabric that adorned her. Despite knowing that her dress likely cost more than my suit, it lacked the sophistication and refinement I valued. I quickly averted my eyes when I caught sight of Harvey descending the stairs.

My knees nearly buckled, and my heart raced as I took in Harvey's appearance. Her every movement mesmerized me, from the gentle sway of her hips to the graceful length of her legs. As she brushed past me, a fleeting touch against my suit, a wave of desire coursed through me. The temptation to keep her in my arms, to savor her presence, was overwhelming, but I resisted. I became a silent observer, tracing her every step.

Soon, Harvey opened the door, and to my surprise—and simmering anger—Killan stood on the other side. My fists clenched at my sides as I watched her wrap her hands around his neck, leaning in for a passionate kiss. A surge of heat mixed with jealousy raced through my veins. Overhearing their flirtatious banter during the car ride only fueled my growing frustration.

Unable to contain my emotions any longer, the words slipped out, laced with irritation. "Cut it out," I growled, the frustration evident in my voice. My anger pulsed beneath the surface, an unwelcome feeling that I struggled to control. Despite the knowledge that I had no claim over Harvey or the right to dictate her interactions with others, my heart stubbornly refused to listen to reason.

As she leaned forward, her hands cupping my face, her whisper caressed my ears. "Play nice, baby boy," she murmured, her words sending a delightful shiver down my spine. I couldn't help but offer her a mischievous smile in response, feeling a surge of affection for the woman who had the power to simultaneously ignite and calm the storm within me.

Killan, unable to resist inserting himself into the conversation, shoved me away with a force that startled me. Harvey, ever the mediator, let out an exasperated sigh and pushed us apart. It was in these moments that I saw her strength and her ability to keep us in check, refusing to let our animosity escalate further.

Killan's laughter filled the air once again, mocking my nickname. "Baby boy? Please tell me he doesn't have a fucking mommy kink," he taunted, the words dripping with disdain. Harvey, never one to back down, met his comment head-on. "Why, are you into it?" she retorted with a smirk, causing a visible blush to stain Killan's cheeks. He quickly deflected, muttering a denial under his breath, though his scowl remained intact.

Our banter was abruptly interrupted by a phone call, pulling Harvey's attention away from our verbal sparring. As she sat up in her seat, a radiant smile graced her face, and her eyes sparkled with joy. It was Liam calling, his name flashing on the screen. She eagerly picked up the call, the excitement evident in her voice as she engaged in a spirited conversation with him.

Watching her, a sense of admiration washed over me, along with an undeniable desire to protect and cherish her. In that moment, I silently vowed to do whatever it took to keep that radiant smile on her face, even if it meant confronting my own inner demons.

As we arrived at our destination, everyone exited the cars, forming a small group. Harvey intertwined her fingers with Killan's, a display of their affection that caused a twinge of jealousy within me. Adrien approached, a smug smirk on his face, as he hooked his arm through mine. I rolled my eyes at his antics, but complied, playing the role of the dutiful companion.

As we settled down for dinner, I observed the palpable tension in the air. It was as if the weight of unspoken words and unresolved issues hung heavy among the family members. Before I could make any sense of the situation, Harvey's father spoke up, directing his attention to her. "Harvey, Olivia has something to say to you," he announced, his voice carrying a mix of hope and trepidation.

Harvey scoffed audibly, her skepticism evident. Olivia, wiping her face with no tears to be seen, prepared herself to speak. Harvey looked up at her, her expression a mix of impatience and defiance. With a dry tone, Harvey muttered, "Well? What is it? Spit it out."

The room fell into a heavy silence, everyone waiting for Olivia's response. It was a moment pregnant with unspoken emotions, and I found myself holding my breath, curious to witness the dynamics unfold between them.

Olivia took a deep breath, her eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and frustration. She cleared her throat and began her apology, her voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness.

"Harvey, I want to apologize for... everything that happened in the past," Olivia started, her tone wavering slightly. "But you have to understand, you weren't exactly innocent in all of this. You pushed my buttons, you provoked me, and it wasn't entirely my fault."

Harvey's brows furrowed, a mix of anger and disbelief crossing her face. She opened her mouth to respond, but her father's stern voice cut through the air, firm and disapproving.

"Olivia, that's not the apology we discussed," her father said firmly, his disappointment evident. "This isn't about blaming Harvey for your actions. It's about taking responsibility for your own behavior and acknowledging the hurt you caused."

Olivia's eyes darted between Harvey and her father, a mixture of frustration and resentment shadowing her features. She took a step back, folding her arms defensively across her chest.

"You don't understand," Olivia retorted, her voice tinged with bitterness. "You weren't there. You didn't see how Harvey pushed my buttons, how she provoked me at every turn. I had to defend myself."

Harvey's expression hardened, her gaze unwavering. She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the familiar pattern of blame that Olivia was trying to impose.

"I will not accept your attempts to shift the blame onto me," Harvey said firmly, her voice resolute. "I refuse to be gaslighted into believing that I am responsible for your actions. It's time for you to take accountability for your choices and the pain you caused."

The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of their words hung in the air. It was clear that Harvey's stance had shifted, that she had found the strength to confront Olivia's manipulative tactics and reject them. And in that moment, despite the disappointment, a glimmer of hope sparked within me, knowing that Harvey was forging her own path, one where she refused to be burdened by the false narratives of others.

As Harvey's words echoed through the air, each one striking with a force that shook me to my core, I felt a knot tighten in my chest. The weight of her pain and the realization of my own mistakes crashed down upon me. I watched her stand up, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt.

"Did you even for a second think about someone other than yourself?" Harvey's voice quivered as she confronted Olivia. "Did you think about the amount of abuse I had gone through, alone and terrified, begging for one of you to come and take me back home? You didn't send me to a school; you sent me to a nightmare."

The raw honesty in her words struck me like a lightning bolt. I had been blind to the depth of her pain, too caught up in my own resentment towards Olivia to truly understand what she had endured. As Harvey's tears fell, I knew I had failed her. But in that moment, I also felt an overwhelming desire to protect her, to make amends for my past ignorance.

I followed her out of the restaurant, my footsteps quickening to catch up with her. Killan was right behind me, our rivalry momentarily forgotten as we shared a mutual understanding of the importance of supporting her. We found her alone on a park bench, her sobs breaking the silence of the night.

"Harvey," I whispered, my voice filled with regret. "I'm so sorry. I never knew... I never realized the extent of what you went through."

Killan placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his eyes reflecting a mix of empathy and concern. "We're here for you, Harvey," he said softly. "You don't have to face this alone."

Harvey looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine. The pain etched on her face tore at my heart, and I realized how much she had grown, how much strength she possessed. Without uttering a word, I wrapped my arms around her, joining Killan in providing the support she needed.

As we held her, the weight of her burden seemed to lessen, if only slightly. The sound of her sobs began to fade, replaced by a calm, collective breathing. It was in that silence that I realized the importance of standing together for her, of making amends for my past indifference.

"We're here, Harvey," I whispered, my voice filled with determination. "We're here for you, no matter what."

She looked at us, gratitude and vulnerability in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you for being here, for understanding."

Killan and I exchanged a glance, a silent vow passing between us. We would be there for her, supporting her through the healing process, and making sure she never felt alone again. It wasn't about rivalry or competition anymore; it was about protecting and cherishing the person we both cared deeply for.

Together, we rose from the park bench, Harvey held firmly between us. As we walked away, our steps aligned, I knew that this was just the beginning. We would walk this journey with her, offering our unwavering support and love.

"Harvey," I said softly, my voice filled with sincerity. "We may not be able to erase the past, but we can be there for you in the present and the future. You won't face this alone."

She looked up at me, her gaze filled with a mix of vulnerability and hope. And in that moment, I made a promise to myself: I would be the person she deserved, the one who would cherish and protect her, and the one who would always stand by her side.