Just before five, Liv started to get ready for the gala. The first time in four months she would actually see him and that wasn't what she was looking forward to. One night of no work and just being with Cyrus drinking, dancing, having fun was a night she needed. But Fitz was a setback. She'd been strong to not call him at all or answer the phone when he did call. But tonight, in person, she wasn't sure if she could be that strong. As she got in the shower, she saw the razor sitting right on the edge. It tempted her, provoked her to cut again. She hadn't cut herself in two days. Liv thought she was doing better. But soon the stress was getting to her. One little cut like usual wouldn't hurt, right? Just a little slash on her skin to let a little relief. Quickly, she picked up the razor and gently slid it across the surface of her arm. With the long sleeve dress she chose to wear for the night, no one was going to notice her torn apart arm. As the blood started to come out, she leaned her head back relaxing as it helped her relieve some of the stress. If anyone knew she was cutting herself, she might die of embarrassment but no one would ever find out. Olivia was too smart to let anyone find out. She made sure that she wore long sleeves or always had a jacket on. She looked at her arm seeing that most of the cuts were healed and looked like normal skin. But seven of them, seven were scabbed over. Liv ignored them and let the blood stop coming out. When it was done, she continued to finish her shower and get ready.

Seven o'clock came quick. Olivia had finished putting on her makeup and fixing her hair a few minutes before. She slid into her white floor length dress with one sleeve, the left. The sleeve went all the way to her wrist and she liked it. It would cover all of the scabs and scars. As she looked in the bathroom mirror making sure she looked okay, she made notes in her mind.

Don't leave Cyrus's side.

Don't let Cyrus leave your side.

Say hello to him and continue on.

Don't say another word to him all night.

Olivia knew that the last part would be somewhat difficult. If Fitz wanted to talk to her, he would find a way. No matter what, she couldn't let that happen. She could not force herself to be able to speak to him other than the polite hello when she walked in with Cyrus. As Liv made the notes she grew more stressful. But she promised that she would go with Cyrus, and Olivia Pope does not make a promise and break it. Without really thinking because of the adrenaline pumping through her to get this night over with, she pulled her sleeve up and grabbed the razor. Just as she slid the razor across the surface, her doorbell rang, startling her. The razor went down her skin straight, harder than normal, deeper, to her wrist. She didn't see much blood and patted what was there away with the towel before going to the door rolling her sleeve down.

"You look amazing," Cyrus told her when she opened the door.

"Cyrus, looking great. Ready to go?" she asked grabbing her purse.

As she went to grab her purse, Cyrus caught sight or her sleeve. The blood was staining her dress and dripping to the floor.

"Liv, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, a little light headed right now." Before she could say another word, she collapsed to the floor.

Cyrus yelled back to his agents to call an ambulance as he caught her head before she hit the floor.