Chapter 20

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Livy set her bag down on the floor as she sunk into the chair, her wobbly knees finally giving out on her. It was the third time that week that she thought she had seen Velma Branch in a crowd, but this time she was sure she had seen her, and it had left her a nervous wreck. 

The first time she had thought it was her mind playing tricks on her so she didn't think too much about it, it had been a quick glance out of the corner of her eye and when she looked a second time there was no evidence that she had really seen her.

The second time she had been having lunch with Nelson and she thought she had seen her across the student center. This time when she did a double take she was still there but Nelson had drawn her attention for a moment and when Livy had looked back she was gone.

She had decided to tell Declan about it, but there had been some crisis with one of the kids that night and she had forgotten all about it. She had reasoned that it was possible that Velma was back in town for some reason other then to see her, and had thought it possible that Velma hadn't even noticed her.

But this time had been different. This time she had seen Velma as she got on the elevator that took her up to the third floor and Nelson's office. Velma had smiled and waved as the doors had closed. It had seemed as if she had been expecting her, waiting for her and that one little moment.

Livy reached into her bag and pulled out her phone with a shaky hand. She hit Declan's name and looked around her as the phone connected. She had the quick thought to close the office door for some privacy just as Declan answered.

"Livy?" He sounded concerned.

She rarely called him, especially when she knew he was working, because there was always the high likelihood that he would be in a meeting.

"Declan." She took a deep breath as she tried to control the trembling in her voice. She didn't know why she was so panicky but she had the deep fear that Velma and her son Rick would hold her hostage once again.

"Livy?" Declan's voice brought her back from the brink of a panic attack.

"I saw her, I saw Velma, the woman who ran New Hope. She was here." She couldn't help the sudden sob that escaped on the last word. "I know I'm over reacting, that there is nothing that she can do to me, but I can't help it."

"Are you sure you saw her?" he asked.

"Yes, the first two times I wasn't, but this time she waved to me."

There was a heavy silence on the other end of the line and she knew Declan was trying to weigh all of the reasons she could have reappeared, as well as trying to decide if it was worth yelling at her for not mentioning the fact that she had thought that she saw Velma.

"Where did you see her?"

"In the Science building. She was on the first floor and she waved at me as I got on the elevator. It was almost as if she knew I was going to be there." Livy realized that she was whispering.

"She probably did." Declan's voice sounded grim. "Why are you whispering, is someone with you?"

"No, but someone should be here soon, Nelson's class let out ten minutes ago." She looked over at the door.

"I'm going to come and pick you up, stay where you are."

Livy felt relief that he was on his way to get her. She knew she wouldn't feel safe until she was with him.

"Don't tell anyone about this."

"I won't." she promised as the office door opened and Nelson and Hadley entered, looking at her oddly. "I have to go," she said, trying to make her voice sound friendly and light.

"Remember, don't go anywhere for any reason. Stay where you are, I'll be there soon."

"Got it, see you in a bit," she said before she ended the call and dropped her phone into her bag.

"Are you alright Livy? You look a little pale," Hadley said as she perched herself on the edge of the desk, which put Livy at an extreme disadvantage.

"I'm fine," Livy insisted.

"We really are concerned for you," Nelson added as he rolled over a chair and sat down. "There was a woman here earlier today, she was asking us about you, and telling us all sorts of weird stories."

"Oh, really?" Livy forced herself to lean back in her chair in an attempt to appear relaxed. She didn't ask any other questions though, she only waited for them to continue. Declan had said not to talk to anyone about it so she wouldn't, but she couldn't keep them from talking if they wanted to.

"Yes, she told us all sorts of things. We didn't know that you used to be part of a new age cult." Hadley's voice was full of censure.

Livy watched as Nelson shot Hadley a disapproving glance.

"That's none of our business Hadley," he insisted. "We're worried, she mentioned that Brooks is trying to adopt his nieces and nephew and that he is forcing you to live with him, claiming that you're engaged so that he will have a better chance of getting to keep the kids." Nelson reached out and took her hand and Livy had the feeling that he was actually trying to hold her in place instead of comforting her. "Do you need help Livy?"

"I'm fine Nelson, but thank you, to both you and Hadley, for being so concerned." Livy smiled up at Hadley for all she was worth as she pulled her hand away from Nelson.

"She also told us this crazy tale that you wouldn't get any of your money unless you married Declan, that you had to be married to him for two years." Nelson continued, ignoring her retreat.

"He's not using that in an attempt to force you to marry him so that he can adopt the little brats, is he?" Hadley didn't sound concerned in the least, she sounded more intrigued.

Livy looked at him and Hadley vacantly while remaining silent, she really didn't know what to say and she was shocked that they knew so much. The only thing that they didn't seem to know was that she and Declan were already married.

Thankfully, Landon walked in and broke the tense mood. He looked from Hadley to Nelson with narrowed eyes before he smiled at Livy. "Oh, good Livy, you're here. There was something I was wondering if you could help me with?"

He put himself between Livy and Nelson as he started to dig around in his satchel for something. "I have it here," he said absently. "There were some numbers that didn't make sense to me."

Nelson rolled away and Hadley stood up backing off too.

Livy's phone started to ring, the song Purple People Eater came blaring from it so she knew it was Declan and she knew he was close.

"I would be happy to help, but can I do it next time?" she held up her ringing phone. It was a ringtone that Gabriel had picked out because it reminded him of his Uncle. "That's Declan, he promised to take me to lunch."

She stood up and threw her bag over her shoulder then turned to look over at Nelson with a smile. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear."

She walked into the hallway just as Declan was stepping off the elevator and she almost ran to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close as they waited for the elevator to return.

"Is everything alright?" He looked over her shoulder and Livy followed his gaze, noting that Hadley and Nelson were standing in the hall watching them.

"No, it's not Declan. I have a feeling that I've messed everything up again." She looked up at him with tearful eyes.

"Then it's a good thing that I have a talent for straightening up your messes." He gave her a squeeze that took the sting out of his words. "But there's one thing I have to do first."

"What's that?" Livy asked, no longer able to stop the flood of tears.

"This." He leaned down and gave her a long and lingering kiss. "You look lovely today, did you know that?"

It only made Livy cry harder and he gathered her close as he ushered her onto the elevator.

"It's all going to fall apart, I've ruined everything..." She knew what would happen if the state found out about her time with the cult or her marrying Declan for her inheritance.

"Don't worry, I always have a backup plan," he assured her as he pushed the button for the ground floor.

"What is it this time?" Livy sniffed as she started to feel a little hope.

"I'll divorce you and marry Raoul."

Livy could only look at him open mouthed. He wasn't serious, was he?

"So sweet and gullible. It's going to be impossible when the kids realize just how gullible you are." He took her face in his hands and dropped a kiss on her lips as the elevator doors opened. Then he took her hand and led her through the building.

"We'll figure it out Livy, I promise. Because for the first time, in a long time, I have something worth fighting for."

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