CHAPTER 276: CHAPTER 276

At that moment he bit his lip slightly, not wanting to get carried away, but it was already too late. The moment she looked him in the eye with that quiet desperation, his heart had already made its decision.

This was his second chance, James had already ruined the first. Cora marrying that selfish, arrogant, good-for-nothing man had broken Oliver’s heart in ways he never told anyone.

He had watched silently as Cora’s light dimmed during that marriage. He remembered the fake smiles, the tired eyes, the days she wouldn’t answer her phone. It killed him that he could do nothing. That he could only be the shoulder she cried on, not the man she smiled for.

But not this time, not anymore.

This time, fate was offering him something rare. A chance to show her what real love could feel like. A chance to stand by her not as just a friend, but as someone she might finally see as the one who truly belongs by her side. And Oliver promised himself in that moment he would not waste this chance.

He would make her see it. Make her feel it.

He would remind her that the best things in life sometimes begin in the most unexpected ways.

And above all, he would do everything everything humanly possible to protect her heart... and maybe, just maybe, win it for himself.

"So what are you planning, our next move should be talk about. "

At that moment, hearing Oliver’s question, Cora leaned back slightly in her chair. She took a deep breath, her eyes showing just how seriously she had thought this through. "So," she began slowly, "what I’m planning... it might sound a little too much at first, but I’ve been thinking. Thinking deeply. Like, really deeply about how I’m going to convince my father that this whole thing between us is not fake."

Oliver leaned forward, listening carefully. Cora didn’t usually speak with this kind of seriousness unless it truly meant something. Her brows furrowed as she continued, "You know my dad. He’s not just any ordinary man you can fool with some selfies and a few dinner photos. He studies body language, emotions, silence even the way you blink. If we want to pull this off, we can’t afford any mistakes."

Oliver nodded slowly, still unsure where she was headed.

"That’s why," Cora said, her voice firmer now, "I think the best thing for us to do is to move in together. Like, you move into my house or I move into yours. It will look very real. Everything will feel very real. And it will be easier to convince him because we’ll be sharing the same space. Same room. Same daily routines. That way, if he comes around unannounced or sends someone to check up on us, there will be nothing to doubt."

Oliver’s eyes widened for a moment. He looked at her as if trying to figure out if she truly meant every word. "You’re serious," he said softly.

"I am," she nodded. "Very serious."

He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled deeply, trying to process what this could mean. Not just for her but for him too. Sharing the same room with Cora? The woman he had secretly loved for years? It sounded like a dream come true, but also a huge emotional test.

"Alright," Oliver finally said, his voice calm but thoughtful. "Since your dad is not someone who believes things easily, and we want to make this look solid, I think you’re right. The best option is for me to move into your house."

Cora’s eyes lit up slightly, grateful that he wasn’t rejecting the plan.

"And if your father ever asks," Oliver continued, "we’ll just tell him I’m renovating my house. That the plumbing is bad or the roof is leaking or something. Just enough to make it believable. That way, he won’t suspect a thing."

Cora gave a small smile, finally feeling like things were starting to fall into place. Oliver, on the other hand, masked the storm inside him. This wasn’t just a game of pretend for him it was his one chance to show her that the love she had been looking for had always been standing right in front of her, and also look into her uncle and his son closely.

At that moment, Cora blinked, then slowly nodded, her expression calm but thoughtful. "Well... no problem then," she said, her voice soft. "That’s also a very good idea. You moving in will definitely give my dad something to think about." Her gaze shifted, the weight of everything they were about to do finally sinking in. "He knows how hard it is for me to let people close... So if I let you in that easily, it’ll shake him. That’s for sure."

She turned her eyes toward Oliver again. "So... when are you moving in?"

Without wasting a second, Oliver leaned back a little and smiled.

"If possible, today. I mean it, Cora. Let’s not waste time. If we’re doing this, let’s do it well. I’ll pack just a few things to begin with, enough to make it look real. The rest can come in later."

Cora’s lips twitched upward in a small, surprised smile. She hadn’t expected him to be so ready. "Okay," she said. "That’s quick."

"It has to be," Oliver said gently. "And also... when your dad lands at the airport since you’re the one picking him up I think both of us should go. That way, from the moment he steps off the plane, he sees it. He feels it. We won’t need to say too much. The picture alone will speak volumes."

Cora paused, processing everything.

Then Oliver raised one hand, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "And one more thing," he added with a crooked smile. "Let me just apologize in advance."

"For what?" Cora asked, raising an eyebrow.

He coughed, looking away for a second before meeting her eyes again. "For the possibility that I might touch you sometimes in ways that are... I don’t know, a bit too real. You know, just to make everything feel natural in front of him. I mean, handholding, maybe hugs that last a little too long, or brushing your hair out of your face, kissing on the cheek or lips... That kind of thing. I swear it’s not me being creepy it’s just for the role."

Cora stared at him, stunned at first, then let out a small laugh, covering her mouth. "Is that your way of warning me?" she asked.

Oliver nodded with a grin.

"Yes. And also apologizing. Because I don’t want things to be awkward between us."