CHAPTER 5: ARROGANT GIRL

Olive sat in the cramped seat of the plane, her fingers tracing the outline of the leather handbag resting on her lap. She had only packed the essentials—clothes, a few personal items, and the lingering sense of uncertainty about what awaited her back in Chicago. For the first time in days, she felt a small but real sense of calm. She had made up her mind. New York was where she wanted to build her life. It would be her escape, her fresh start.

The past three days in New York had done something for her—brought her peace, gave her space, and allowed her to breathe. The messages from her father had only confirmed that there was no going back to the life she had known. She wasn’t the same woman who had left Chicago, and she never would be again.

As the plane touched down in Chicago, Olive stared out of the window, unsure of what she was walking into. It was hot for the middle of the afternoon, and the heat pressed against the window as the aircraft taxied to the gate. She had no intention of sticking around for long. She would visit the hospital, confront whatever issues needed addressing, and then leave this city behind for good.

With only a small handbag in hand, Olive stepped off the plane and made her way to the hospital. The weight of her decision was heavy, but she had already come this far. She could deal with whatever came next.

She entered the sterile white walls of the hospital, taking a deep breath to steady herself. A nurse directed her to the waiting room. There, she sat, tapping her fingers impatiently against her knee. The time seemed to drag on, and Olive could feel the eyes of those around her, curious and judgmental.

Minutes later, the door opened, and Raymond Stone walked in. The air around him shifted, like the atmosphere had suddenly thickened. He was taller than she remembered, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. His piercing gaze swept over her, and his expression hardened when he recognized her.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here,” Raymond’s voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a knife.

Olive raised her eyes to meet his, her pulse quickening. This was the same man she bumped into at the airport, what's he doing here?

“If you want money, I can give it to you,” Raymond continued, his voice dripping with condescension. “But you need to stop stalking me.”

The words hit Olive like a slap across the face. Her lips tightened, and her gaze hardened. “Excuse me, Mr. Suit,” she replied, her voice smooth but laced with venom. “I’m not here to beg for your money. So save your assumptions.”

Raymond’s eyes flashed with irritation, I am Raymond stones not suit he warned. He simply turned and moved to stand across from her, arms crossed.

Olive felt the tension in the room thickening, but she didn’t back down. She wasn’t the naive woman she once was. She wasn’t going to let anyone intimidate her anymore, especially not him.

Just then, the door opened again, and Dr. Harris walked in, looking between the two of them with a puzzled expression.

“Miss Olive, thank you for coming in today,” Dr. Harris began, his voice professional yet warm. “We need to discuss the results of your recent tests.”

Olive’s heart skipped a beat. The memories of the test she had taken three weeks ago rushed back to her. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she knew it wouldn’t be good.

“Please, Dr. Harris, get to the point,” Olive said, cutting him off. “I have other family matters to attend to.”

Dr. Harris nodded, acknowledging her impatience. He turned to Raymond briefly before focusing back on Olive.

“Miss Olive, we’d like to run a pregnancy test on you,” Dr. Harris said, his tone serious. “We’ve encountered a situation regarding the child you may be carrying.”

Olive’s brow furrowed. “A pregnancy test?” she repeated, unsure of what the doctor meant.

“Yes,” Dr. Harris continued, “We have reason to believe you may be carrying Mr. Stone’s child.”

The words hit Olive with the force of a freight train. She froze, her mind going blank.

“What?” Raymond scoffed, his disbelief ringing out in the otherwise silent room. “This arrogant girl? Carrying my child? That’s impossible.”

Olive felt her heart slam against her chest. A whirlwind of emotions swirled within her, but she refused to show any weakness. She forced herself to speak, though her voice trembled. “I’m pregnant,” she said, the words leaving her mouth before she could stop them. “And I’m being summoned by my fiancé to compensate him for time wasted.”

The sting of Frank’s accusation flashed in her mind, but she shoved it away. This was about something bigger now—something she couldn’t ignore.

“And I don’t want this child,” Olive added, her voice growing stronger. “That’s why I’m here. I want to terminate it.”

Raymond’s face twisted into an expression of fury, his jaw tightening as he glared at her. He took a step forward, his fists clenching. “You can’t be serious,” he growled. “You think you can just get rid of my child like it’s nothing?”

Olive didn’t flinch. “I don’t owe you anything, Mr. Stone. I don’t owe anyone anything. This is my body, and I’ll make the choice for myself.”

Dr. Harris cleared his throat, breaking the heavy tension that had settled between them. “Miss Olive, I must remind you that abortion procedures are only performed when the father of the child agrees. Legally, we cannot proceed without his consent.”

Olive’s gaze flickered toward Raymond, whose eyes burned with anger. But she didn’t care. She was done letting others dictate her life.

“Well, I don’t need your consent,” she said, her voice icy. “I’m not asking for permission. I’m telling you what I’m doing.”

Raymond let out a low growl, his patience wearing thin. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with, do you?”

Olive stood her ground, her resolve unshaken. “I’m not afraid of you, Mr. Stone. And I’m certainly not afraid of the man who thinks he owns my life.”

For a moment, they stared at each other, the tension thick in the air. Finally, Raymond spoke, his voice cold and filled with contempt. “We’ll see about that.”

Dr. Harris cleared his throat again, clearly uncomfortable with the exchange. “I suggest we schedule the test for another time,” he said, his voice steady but urgent. “We can discuss your options then.”

Olive nodded, her gaze not leaving Raymond. She had made her decision. She didn’t need anyone’s approval. She was done being controlled.

As the room fell silent, Olive turned and walked out of the waiting area, leaving both Raymond and Dr. Harris behind. Her heart pounded in her chest.