COURTNEY'S POV

They both looked at each other like they were the only ones in the room.

"Livi." His voice was low with a hint of... longing as he said her name.

Olivia waved her hand and responded softly, "Hi my Cat."

My heart clenched as I watched their interaction. I could tell from the look in Chad's eyes that he still cared deeply for Olivia, and the way they called each other...

Livi.

my Cat.

I felt a pang of jealousy shoot through me.

Their connection was still strong and palpable. I could feel it all the way from where I was standing.

Even after all these years and what she had done to him, their bond was still intact?

"Chad, is that you?" Rebecca's voice echoed throughout the room, and it somehow broke whatever spell Chad and Olivia were under.

She walked towards him and continued, "This is my surprise. Olivia will stay with us until her competition. Isn't it nice?" She was beaming with excitement as she said this. I was almost convinced that Rebecca was rooting for both of them to be together.

Or even back together.

This scene was just breaking me. I felt invisible, helpless, and a complete outsider. I guess coming here was such a bad idea after all.

I know I have to stay focused and determined to finish what I started, but how? They were having a mini reunion and probably a major comeback here. As for me, I just wanted to undo my mistakes and get back to where it was before.

But that plan seems so far-fetched now.

Honestly, I was so uncomfortable and just wanted to leave, but I found myself rooted in place. I just couldn't bring myself to move. Well, at the back of my mind, I was hoping they'd notice me eventually. I was dying to see Chad's reaction. I was wondering if he would look at me the same way he looked at Olivia.

And as if the universe heard my plea, Rebecca's eyes suddenly shifted in my direction.

"Oh, and Courtney is here as well." The moment she said my name, Chad's head whipped to where his mum pointed, and we immediately stared at each other. It's obvious that it was the only time he realized I was here.

That's how focused he was on Olivia or Livi, huh?

I could tell from his eyes that he was surprised to see me. His face was a mask of confusion as he tried to process why I was there. My stomach twisted and I could feel my heart sinking as I watched the disappointment register on his face.

Thinking about what happened at the library and the way Chad was looking at me right now, I was absolutely certain that coming here was a bad idea. It was too soon for me to show up.

Why do I continue to make terrible decisions? I should have consulted Terry first before taking any action!

When will I learn?

Chad didn't even try to hide his displeased looked. He walked towards us, his eyes fixed on mine. "What are you doing here, Collins?" His voice sounded low and strained.

What the hell?

I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress the pain. It was throbbing and I could feel my eyes stinging as tears welled up. I tried to focus on something else, anything else, to distract myself from the pain and tears from falling.

So I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. I wasn't so sure where I was getting this unlimited willpower from. If it weren't for that, I would have been on the floor, sobbing like a baby the moment Olivia and Chad met.

But even with that, I can't seem to make the pain go away.

Damn freakin' great!

I'm back to being Collins now while Olivia, despite everything, is still Livi for him.

I heard Olivia suppress her snicker when she heard Chad's words. I guess she found it amusing that Chad calls me by my last name while she still goes by their freakin' pet name or whatsoever.

Life is so unfair!

"I just dropped by to return something." I told him, still trying to appear strong and level headed, when deep down I was struggling to keep it together. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, and my hands trembling. I knew I had to leave before my willpower rans out and I broke down in front of him and everyone in this room.

But...

I'll just give him the letter and that's it.

Yes. I was still going to do it. This was something I needed to do.

I had to try.

Taking a deep breath and summoning the courage that I still had left, I took a step forward. I was about to hand him the paperbag, but this was interrupted by Olivia, or I should say Olivia's body, enveloping Chad in a hug right in the middle of me and him.

I stopped in my tracks, my mind trying to comprehend the situation before me. I was, for a moment, completely and utterly frozen. My eyes got wider as I stared at them, unable to take my eyes off the painful scene in front of me.

Yeah, keep torturing yourself, Court!

When I looked up, I saw Chad staring at me with a blank stare, as if he was trying to figure out what was running through my head.

This made me take a step back, feeling my cheeks flush at the intensity of his gaze. But despite this, I refused to look away. This time, I didn't even try to hide the jealousy I felt in that moment.

Seriously?

Chad was the first to lose eye contact. I turned my head, trying to look for something or someone, anything, and catch the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"It's been a while." I heard Olivia whisper in a longing tone. From my peripheral view, I watched Chad put his arm around her and patted her back gently.

"It is." He responded in a low voice.

They stayed that way for what felt like an eternity, until Chad finally pulled away.

"Well, seeing you two like this just made me feel so relieved!" Thank God for Rebecca's interruption. She had unknowingly saved me from what would have been an incredibly awkward scenario--I was seconds away from crying my heart out!

"I kept wondering what happened to you two. You stopped talking and didn't stay in touch. Just because we moved out doesn't mean you can't stay connected, you know. I promised your mom that we will always be a family." Rebecca said, showing she had no idea what really happened between the two.

Wait.

Does that mean Chad didn't tell his mom what Olivia did to him? About her ruining his potential swimming career? Is Olivia that important to him? Or is it because he was hoping for it to be amended, and didn't want her image to be ruined?

"I'm hoping to make up for those absences and reconnect with you while I'm here." Olivia smiled with hope. "Let's make the best of it." She added, acting as if what she did didn't weight anything.

Rebecca might be oblivious to what happened, but not Chad. I looked at him, expecting something, but he remained silent. Not saying or even showing any emotions.

Is he ready to reconnect and forget?

That's it.

I wanted to leave. This was all too much for me to handle already. I couldn't take it anymore. My heart couldn't handle any more pain. I couldn't stand this interaction. What more at dinner?

I suddenly became an outsider again.

Feeling exhausted, I quickly pulled out my phone and sent Terry an SOS message. Hopefully she gets what it meant. I was desperate to get out of here as fast as possible.

I just needed a way out. I need to breathe.

Right on cue, my phone rang, catching everyone's attention.

I answered it immediately and tried to hide the sobs rising in my throat.

"Hey! You okay?" Terry asked right away.

"What? What happened?" I managed to respond, my voice cracking.

"Where are you?" Terry tone changed to seriousness and with urgency. That's one of the best things about her. I didn't have to spell things out, she already knew what I needed.

"Are you okay? Do you want to meet at my house now?"

"I'll be there." Terry responded without missing a beat. No questions asked, no time wasted. She hung up the phone and I did the same.

My way out.

"Is everything okay, dear?" Rebecca asked. Her voice was filled with concern. My eyes focused on her, only at her and nothing more. I was afraid that if I saw Chad, I won't be able to hold my emotions in any longer.

"I'm so sorry I have to leave. My friend needs me. I'm so sorry I won't be able to join you for dinner." I apologized both for not staying and for lying. I felt so terrible, but what choice do I have?

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile. "Hopefully next time I'll be able to stay longer." I added.

The question is, will there be a next time?

"Are you going to be okay?" It was Chad. I felt my stomach drop as he asked the question. I didn't know how to answer.

Because I'm not okay, and I don't know if I will be anytime soon.

But of course I can't tell him that.

I quickly turned to him and nodded. "I will, thanks."

And though I was feeling bitter, I still had my manners so I looked at Olivia briefly and said, "Nice to meet you."

Then I gave Rebecca and Cindy a hug and quickly said goodbye.

I hurried out the door, not looking back.

It's done.

-END OF CHAPTER 51-

A/N: This story is wrapping up and nearing it's end (but not too soon yet), like what I said, I'm connecting some loose ends and make sure everything is covered first before we reach the ending, and there are still few.

Anyway, what do you think of this? Does Courtney deserve to be hurt like this? Share your thoughts!

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