The bright sun was peeking through her window, the light promising a new day…hope. Olivia wanted to believe that today was a new day and she could start fresh, but instead she just felt despair. As she sat up in bed, she could feel the lingering fatigue from the night before. After she had left the christening, she had gone to the pool. She swam until her body couldn't take it anymore. She needed to block what had happened from her mind. Their tryst in the closet had been bittersweet. It was everything she needed and everything that was wrong… all wrapped into one. She loved him, but he hated her. She had betrayed his trust. How did she think he could ever love her after what she did?
She had hoped she could make him understand. She wanted to tell him that she was wrong. She should have told him what they wanted to do, but instead she had joined them. She was the worst of them all.
One thing was clear after their time together yesterday…He didn't want her anymore. She kept repeating it to herself, hoping that if she repeated it enough, her heart would believe it and let him go.
She stared at herself in the bedroom mirror. Who was this person? Olivia wasn't someone who rigged national elections, slept with married men, or covered up murders.
She was supposed to be one of the good guys…what did that even mean anymore?
She didn't recognize the person in the mirror. The person she saw staring back at her was a stranger…and she didn't like this person.
Something had to change…she needed a clean slate, to start over.
She knew it was risky and drastic, but there was only one thing that could be done and there was only one person who could do it. She had to ensure that he wouldn't come looking for her. She knew that even though he didn't love her, he would never stop looking for her. It would be a lifelong punishment to them both. He would constantly remind her of her mistake and she would remind him of her betrayal. They were emotionally destructive and she needed to end it.
Shakily, she picked up the phone and dialed the number. It had been so long she was actually surprised she remembered it. Her heart began to race as the phone rang…part of her prayed the phone would just keep on ringing.
After what felt like years, but was only moments, the ringing stopped…she could hear him breathing, but he didn't say anything.
For a moment she was transported to another time, and she was just a scared, little girl again. She felt like she was going to be sick.
She shook off the feeling and regained her composure, finally managing to get the words out… "Dad?"