Chapter 54

OLIVIA’S POV I was tucking Aria into bed, her tiny fingers still clinging to the edge of my sleeve, when James’s voice suddenly echoed through my mind. “Olivia.” The urgency in his tone sent a chill down my spine. I didn’t even respond. I bolted from the room and rushed to check on Noah. My heart wouldn’t stop pounding until I saw them—both of my children, safe, breathing peacefully in their beds. Only then did I exhale. Whatever it was, it could wait until morning. It was late, and the kids needed their rest. But then James’s voice came again, sharper this time—more urgent. “Olivia… it’s your mother.” And just like that, everything inside me stilled. "James, can’t it wait?" I snapped through the link, unable to hide the frustration in my tone. "This is the third time you’ve mind-linked me tonight." My heart was already fragile—still reeling from that unexpected moment with Derek. I hadn’t even had a chance to fully process what I felt… what I almost let happen. And now this. The sudde