Olivia shook her head in pity. “You have lost your mind. I never would’ve dated you. You aren’t my type.”
Blair sneered. “See. That’s what I’m talking about. This is exactly why your husband cheated on you. You’re insecure about yourself for a good reason. All you do is try to compensate by being an uppity, conceited whore who sets houses on fire.”
Olivia circled Blair. “You can’t hurt me with your words. I know who I am and I love myself now.”
“You expect me to believe that? Did you forget you’ve told me your whole life story? I know everything about you. Everything.”
His mocking of her didn’t faze Olivia. “Well, what I know about you is going to get you locked up. Based on what’s happened tonight, I believe you poisoned Quinn and tried to make it seem like she has gone crazy. You did it, didn’t you?”
“That is the other reason why I had to come here to shut you up,” Blair shouted.
“Yeah. We see where it got you.” Olivia jabbed him upside his head with her hand.
“This isn’t over, Olivia,” Blair threatened and attempted to grab her leg. She jumped away from his grasp and laughed.
Durbin blocked the space in between Blair and Olivia. He towered above Blair with his gun pointed toward him. “Keep your hands off of her.”
Olivia’s heart fluttered from seeing Durbin stand up for her. She liked the way his eyes blazed with an aura of fierceness she hadn’t noticed before. He didn’t appear geeky at all.
A voice yelled from outside followed by a pounding on the door. “This is the San Antonio Police Department. Open up.”
Olivia scurried to the door and yelled, “This is Dr. Olivia Maxwell. I’m the owner of this house and I am about to open the door. Come in and get the intruder out of here.” She nodded for Durbin to put his gun away before she let them in. She couldn’t risk the chance of the police grabbing the wrong man.
“The person you want is laying on my kitchen floor. Dr. Blair Fluellen,” Olivia shouted through the door and opened it.
Two officers in uniform rushed in with guns drawn and followed Olivia’s finger directing them to the kitchen. Durbin stood back and pointed to Blair.
“Blair Fluellen. You are under arrest,” the lankier of the two officers announced as the stocky one produced a set of handcuffs. He kneeled to begin securing Blair.
“Ouch. Wait a minute. I’ve been shot in my side,” Blair cried with a pained expression.
The officer lifted Blair’s shirt and inspected the wound. “It doesn’t appear to be life-threatening. The bullet merely grazed you. We’ll call for someone to tend to your injury.”
Olivia jumped in front of his face and shouted, “You broke into my house. What did you think would happen to you? Huh?”
The lanky officer turned to Olivia with his hand raised to stop her from moving any closer. “Ma’am. Please step back. We’ll handle it from here.” Durbin drew Olivia near him.
“Wait a minute. Did you mention, Dr. Blair Fluellen?” the short officer questioned with a puzzled look.
“Yes. I am Dr. Blair Fluellen. A well-known psychologist here in San Antonio. I demand you remove these handcuffs from me,” Blair huffed despite his pain.
The officers whispered to each other. They turned back to Blair. “Dr. Fluellen. There is a warrant out for your arrest.”
“Excuse me. What are you talking about?” Blair asked.
“Your wife filed a report about you poisoning her. There is evidence to back up her story,” the lanky officer stated.
“What are you talking about?” Blair appeared flabbergasted and bellowed. “She’s lying and crazy. I will sue the hospital for mismanaging her medications.”
“You have the right to remain silent,” the lanky officer read him his rights as they guided him out of Olivia’s home.
“I refuse to let you treat me like a common criminal. I demand you let me call my attorney,” Blair shouted from outside. “I need medical assistance. I have a bullet in me.”
Olivia’s mouth hung open in shock in regards to all she heard. She turned to face Durbin, who appeared confused by everything.
“Oh, my Lord. This fool not only broke into my house, but he also poisoned his wife and committed her to a mental institution. What the hell?” Olivia held her face in disbelief.
“Come here,” Durbin embraced Olivia. “Are you okay?”
“I can’t stop shaking. This has got to all be a nightmare.” Olivia leaned her head onto Durbin’s chest and let him comfort her.
“It’s going to be okay. He’s gone,” Durbin said.
Olivia allowed herself to sink into Durbin’s arms. “Yes. It is all going to be okay. Thank you.”
Epilogue
Olivia
One year later
Olivia lifted her Chanel sunglasses to view surfers who navigated their way on the powerful Tahitian waves. Tiny heads bobbed in the water before their daring feats to ride on the crest of swells synchronized with their minds. She grabbed her phone from the beach bag to capture a few pictures of aquatic balancing acts while gliding inside the barrels of waves.
The smell of the ocean along with the sound of roaring waves crashing to shore brought about a sense of much-needed peace. The after-the-storm period of her life had finally arrived. Olivia recognized her strength in surviving what could have driven others crazy.
She settled into a moment of reflection. What a difference a year makes. The kids were thriving in schools in San Antonio. The self-harm with cutting had become a thing of the past with Simone. She became an ambassador for an organization that provided education to kids about the dangers of cutting.
Olivia’s heart filled with pride each time Simone spoke at events about her experience with cutting. Olivia was also involved by sharing with parents about how they could seek help. Their relationship as mother and daughter strengthened despite all that transpired.
Christian surprised everyone when he decided to give up playing basketball. Olivia had taken the kids to a FAMU football game where he saw the Marching 100 band and fell
