Chapter 4

"Never have I met such an infuriating woman in my life!"

Abel paced back and forth in the room that was prepared for his sister, his frustration boiling over as he vented his grievances about Bridget.

Initially, he claimed to be inspecting the room's suitability and the hospitality of the family she was marrying into when he followed her inside after dinner.

But Olivia knew the real reason behind his visit: he needed a free outlet to express his complaints. She sighed as she watched him pace back and forth before her.

"She's rude, Sister, terribly rude!" Abel exclaimed, his voice filled with indignation. "And poorly educated! How can someone of her standing behave in such an unladylike manner?"

Olivia made an attempt to cut in, but he was too consumed by his anger to let her speak. He continued his tirade, his words laced with frustration.

"An infuriating vixen, that's what she is! She took offense at a harmless joke I made, and suddenly, she became hostile, and she branded me as the devil! It makes no sense!"

Abel's confusion and frustration grew with each passing moment. He struggled to find the right words to express his exasperation. "A-and the way she returned to her quiet, innocent facade each time one of her parents spoke… It's maddening!"

He threw his hands in the air to further express his frustration. "I can't even begin to describe the… confusion it stirs within me! Who acts like that? Was it remorse? Does she think we'd just forget about her attitude?"

"Brother—" Once again, Olivia tried to interject, but he cut her off quickly, his words pouring out like a torrent, as he was determined to make his frustrations known.

"No, Olivia, you don't understand! She silenced me each time I wanted to defend myself, then she dismissed me as if I were nothing and refused to look me in the eye after. I won't stand for it!"

As his rant continued, Olivia realized that her attempts to intervene were futile. She fell silent, allowing him to vent his frustrations.

Abel's emotions heightened with each word he spoke, his anger and confusion echoing through the room. At last, with his frustrations at their peak, he noticed her prolonged silence.

"You're not saying anything," he exclaimed, his voice tinged with impatience. "Why are you not saying anything? Tell me, what do you think?"

Olivia, her tone lackadaisical, responded with a nonchalant agreement. "Yes, yes, of course, your outburst is valid, dear brother. You did nothing wrong."

Her words lacked the enthusiasm that he had hoped for, and he squinted at her, sensing a small smile fighting to spread across her face. He could tell that she was trying to hide her amusement.

At that moment, realization hit him like a wave crashing against the shore. He had never lost his temper in so many years. As the perfect Duke, he prided himself on his ability to control his emotions with grace and composure.

Yet, this woman, Lady Bridget, had managed to unravel him, to make him lose his usually cool demeanor.

This realization washed Abel with humility, cooling his rage and making him question his vulnerability. He had always believed that he was impervious to such emotional outbursts, but Bridget had proven him wrong.

The power she managed to hold over him in such a short period was infuriating, frustrating, and terrifying.

He took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure as he stared at Olivia, his eyes searching for answers. "You think this an outburst?" he asked, his voice slightly softer now, a mix of curiosity and frustration.

"It's a given, yes, that the gardens seem to hold sentimental value to the family. But do you really believe my joke deserved such a response? Or is there something else that I'm missing?"

"Well, what I think is?—"

Abel let out a laugh as he paced back and forth in the room again, his frustration returning. "This is an eye-opener, Sister. We shouldn't associate with a family like this. You need to reconsider this marriage."

"What?" Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Would you even let me speak?"

"What's there to say? It's clear these people have a lot of baggage and issues. I refuse for our family to have any part in?—"

Olivia, however, remained determined and cut him off mid-sentence. "Abel, I've made up my mind. Nothing you say will change that," she asserted, her tone resolute.

"Olivia, I can't believe you're still considering this marriage. This family has shown their true colors, and we shouldn't have anything to do with them." His voice rose, filled with judgment and disappointment.

"Brother, I've thought long and hard about this. Nothing you say will change my mind. I love Elliot, and I won't let your actions dictate my happiness." Olivia's voice rose as well, laced with conviction.

"My actions? Was I the only one who witnessed Lady Rude-A-Lot back there?" Unable to understand her perspective, he persisted in his attempt to sway her. "They've shown their true colors! How can you trust them? This marriage will only bring you heartache. I have better experiences, I can tell you this!"

Olivia's eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a steely edge. "Brother, I appreciate your concern, but this is my decision to make. Like I've said, I won't let anyone, not even you, stand in my way."

Her declaration was firm, bordering on a shout as she spoke, but Abel, overwhelmed with frustration and protectiveness, refused to back down.

"Olivia, I just want what's best for you. Can't you see that?" He let his voice drop to a slight plea, his tone tinged with emotion.

Frustration etched on his face as he continued, "Tell me, are you truly fine with someone like Bridget as your sister-in-law for life?"

Olivia met his gaze, her eyes unwavering as she firmly responded, "I actually think quite highly of Lady Bridget, from what I've seen. She's a woman who stands up for what she believes in, and I've always respected that."

Abel scoffed, his disbelief evident as he retorted, "Oh, since when?"

Olivia's voice rose again as she stared him down. "Since forever, Brother. I've always admired women who can stand their ground and fight against the odds."

Still refusing to reason, Abel changed his approach. His lips curled downward with betrayal as he spoke, "How can you accept her attacking your own brother in such a way?"

Olivia laughed, her voice only growing stronger as she defended her stance. "Well, if you hadn't been disrespectful with your mere jokes, you wouldn't have received such a response."

Abel's eyes nearly popped out of his head, disbelief written all over his face. "I can't believe you just said that, Olivia!"

He cackled in shock. "Olivia, do you not see the chaos this betrothal is causing? Our family is in turmoil, and I will not stand idly by while Lady Bridget tears us apart."

Olivia let out a laugh of her own in return. "Trust me, Brother, Lady Bridget is likely in her chambers, sipping tea with a guilt-free heart because we both know she's not the reason we're arguing right now."

"You'll do well to trust me when I say that lady is not one to have a moment of peace." He pushed on despite Olivia's scoff and head shake. "She's probably all alone, jotting down names of people to argue with, I tell you!"

"Truthfully, Brother, you are?—"

"You do realize you've never raised your voice to me, Sister?" he cut her off, resulting in a loud groan. "This is the first time! And pray tell, how did this start? Wait, right! This betrothal! With you defending this random crazy woman!"

Olivia's voice remained steady despite her rising tone. "No, it started with you doubting my decision and discernment," she pressed as he scoffed. "It started with you declaring you have more right to say how my wedding is to be held than my betrothed and I!"

"We are not going to talk about that now."

Olivia sighed as he turned away from her. "Yes, we're not going to discuss it because I will have a grand wedding. It is not at all up for discussion."

Her voice softened when she spoke, "I understand your concerns, Brother. But you must try to understand. Elliot brings joy to my heart. Can't you see that?"

However, Abel shook his head as he insisted, "I can still call off this wedding, Olivia. I won't let you marry into a family that doesn't deserve you."

"Brother, you will do no such thing!" Olivia's voice rang out with determination, her eyes locked on her brother's.

Abel chuckled and leaned back in disbelief, his eyes locked on his sister's in amazement. "Since when did my little sister start giving me orders? Have you been taking lessons from Lady Bridget already?"

Olivia's gaze hardened, her resolve unyielding. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I was the timid baby sister that you had to protect from all the dangers in the world. But, Brother, you can't protect me from love. Have I changed? Perhaps. But I don't see that as something to feel bad about. I embrace this change because it gives me the strength to fight for something I believe in.

"And contrary to what you think, I didn't become like this simply because of Elliot's family. This change you're only now seeing started happening a while ago, Abel. You simply haven't cared enough to notice. But now, I want to make you notice. This is important to me."

Abel felt a stab of betrayal. He clenched his hands so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palm as he glared at Olivia.

How could she say something like that to him? How could she accuse him of not caring enough? His whole life, all he had done was care for her. Everything he did, he did for her.

"Little sister, are you so blinded by love that you can't see? Open your eyes and see that everything I do, I do for you."

This was why he stayed away from love. It did strange things to the mind, changed people, and sometimes it led to something even worse.

Just like what happened to Mother.

Abel squeezed his eyes shut and tried to run away from the memories that threatened to overwhelm him. She didn't know it, but her words had cut him deeply.

Olivia got to her feet slowly, and Abel opened his eyes, hoping she didn't see the pain in them. He saw something in her eyes as she held his gaze—a quiet intensity, like glowing coals in a hearth. Her voice lowered, but her determination remained unwavering.

"Abel, listen to me, if you do anything to hinder the wedding, I will never forgive you. I will hate you forever. This is my choice, and you need to respect it."

Abel knew his sister well enough to know when she was dead serious. The intensity in her eyes sent a chill down his spine.

Here was the little girl he had raised, ready to go up against him to defend her love. He always knew his sister was a romantic. He'd hoped he'd be able to teach her to be different, more firm, but now, he was fighting off seeing their mother in her.

He shook his head and turned away. He had always been a typical overprotective and traditional brother, having raised her all by himself. He was accustomed to being the man of the house, and the most influential figure in the ton.

Yet, despite all this, he always turned into a soft cookie when it came to his little sister. Despite his strictness, he always found it difficult to deny her requests.

His eyes narrowed as his gaze returned to hers, a playful smirk gracing his lips. "Oh, little one, always so stubborn, aren't you? You think a few passionate words will sway me so easily?"

Olivia's gaze hardened, her voice laced with determination. "I am not trying to sway you, Brother. I am simply asking you to respect my choices and support me in this."

He crossed his arms, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Respect your choices, you say? And what if I don't agree with your choices? What then, dear sister?"

Olivia's voice remained steady, her tone unshaken. "Then we shall have to agree to disagree, Brother. But I hope that the bond we had as siblings would still be honored and cherished as sweet lost memories even when I decide to disown you and hate?—"

"Enough with all that talk."

After a short period of contemplation, with a heavy sigh, he spoke, his voice tinged with resignation, "Well, I suppose the rest of the family seems pleasant enough. I will try my best to endure the next few days."

Olivia nodded, her contagious joy shining through her eyes. "Oh, thank you! Thank you for giving them a chance!"

He shook his head at her overly excited tone. "Hm."

"And who knows, Brother," she continued with a smile. "Lady Bridget may surprise you, and your relationship with her might change to a pleasant one."

Abel let out a doubtful laugh. "Not in a million years, little sister."