From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 9

It must’ve just been one of those days—so much happened, and somehow, Olivia felt a strange swell of emotion deep in her chest. Her eyes stung and suddenly everything was blurry, tears threatening to spill.

Ethan Carter, usually as composed as a stone statue, froze. For the first time, a crack showed in his calm facade. The kind of guy who’d stay cool if the world ended, and now he looked completely out of his depth.

“I’m sorry,” he blurted, stiff as a board, his hands balled into fists. “Maybe I’m rushing things. I just… I really do want to do right by you.”

He took a breath, searching her eyes. “Please, don’t cry.”

But as soon as he said the word “cry,” Olivia’s tears betrayed her, slipping down her cheek with a soft plop.

Ethan’s face went pale. He was visibly panicking now. “We don’t have to… I mean, we can wait on—”

“Let’s do it.” Olivia’s voice was surprisingly steady, almost defiant.

She wiped her face, her eyes rimmed red but determined, fixing him with a teary glare. Her voice was hoarse and full of grit. “You’re not backing out, are you?”

It’s just a wedding, she thought. Signing some papers. Nothing she couldn’t handle.

She was ready to get married for the baby’s sake. Marriage didn’t mean much to her anymore, anyway. If it gave her child a proper name and place, she’d do it.

Anything else could wait for another day.

Ethan blinked, caught off guard, but shook his head. He was the one who brought this up—he’d been sure about it from the start. No way was he backing out now.

Olivia blinked away the last of her tears, took a steadying breath, and said, “But I have one condition.”

Ethan nodded. “Anything.”

“If we ever get divorced, the kid stays with me. You can visit, of course, but custody’s mine.”

Ethan’s gaze darkened and he met her eyes, serious as ever. “I’m not getting married just for show. I don’t plan on getting divorced.”

He meant it. Marriage was for life, not some game. Turning his back on his family was out of the question.

With her attitude, he figured if he waited even a day, she’d change her mind.

Olivia paused, then shrugged. “Fine.”

Downstairs, Evan Dale had been waiting so long he was starting to lose hope, brainstorming backup plans in his head. He was about to give up entirely when the two of them finally appeared.

“Mr. Carter,” Evan greeted him, but his voice was a notch softer than usual—like he was hoping Ethan had forgotten whatever had just happened upstairs.

Ethan stopped, glanced at him. “Toss me the car keys. And take the groceries up, tell everyone I won’t be joining them.”

Evan blinked in confusion, fishing the keys from his pocket. “Where are you headed, Mr. Carter?”

“Courthouse. We’re getting married.”

“Oh,” Evan said, nodding along. Well, that explained it.