Five years.
She had thought that even if five years of marriage couldn’t earn his love, it could at least earn his respect.
But she had overestimated herself.
Olivia wanted to ask him.
Ask how he could say such cruel words.
Ask what she had done wrong to deserve such torment from him.
Olivia opened her mouth, but her throat felt stuck.
She lowered her eyes, her voice hoarse.
“I’ll have the divorce papers drawn up.”
Ethan walked past her towards the kitchen.
“I’m very tired today. I don’t want to argue with you.”
Watching Ethan roll up his sleeves in the kitchen, Olivia turned and went back to the bedroom.
Listening to the sounds from the kitchen,
Olivia felt a pang in her heart.
10:16 AM
<
Olivia felt a pang in her heart.
Ethan had germaphobia and never cooked.
Only now did she realize that germaphobia could be selective too.
Olivia wiped away the tears in the corner of her eyes. She didn’t have time to be sad now.
Besides divorce, there were many other things she needed to do this month.
Olivia took out paper and pen, thinking about what she needed to accomplish.
After finishing these tasks…
She wanted to see the ocean.
The winter beaches of Florida must be very warm.
Embracing the sunshine as she left this world would surely be painless.
Thinking this, Olivia smiled for once.
As Olivia closed her notebook, she heard Ethan’s voice.
“I won’t be coming home tonight.”
Only then did Olivia remember her test results were still outside.
She hurriedly ran out, bumping right into Ethan.
Ethan scrutinized her face.
“What are you in such a rush for?”
Olivia tried to appear calm as she grabbed her bag.
“Nothing, just getting my bag.”
Ethan pressed further: “Really nothing?”
He felt Olivia was acting very strangely today.
Olivia glanced at him: “Aren’t you going to deliver porridge to your mistress?”
Taken aback, Ethan turned to grab his coat by the door.
“I’ve told you, there’s nothing between Sophia and me.”
After he left, Olivia finally let out a sigh of relief.
Ethan cared a lot about his image.
If he knew she was sick, he would definitely refuse to divorce her just to save face.
She and Ethan lived next to the downtown hospital.
But she hadn’t gone there for her checkup.
Because Ethan was a surgeon at the downtown hospital.
And Sophia had started working in pediatrics there this past year on his recommendation.
Ethan didn’t like her going to the downtown hospital to find him.
<
To avoid causing Ethan trouble, she had chosen to go to the district hospital 10 miles away.
But thinking about it now,
Even if she had gotten checked at the downtown hospital,
Ethan probably wouldn’t have noticed.
Few people at the hospital knew about their relationship.
Olivia carefully hid away the test results.
She couldn’t let anything get in the way of the divorce.
It was very late now. Olivia curled up in bed, exhausted.
Tomorrow she still had to go back to her family home.
The Hayes mansion wasn’t far.
Only an hour’s drive from where she lived with Ethan.
After getting married, she rarely went home except for holidays.
Olivia looked at the neatly trimmed garden in front of her and rang the doorbell.
She had come today to retrieve her grandmother’s jade pendant.
4
A few minutes later, someone came out from inside.
It was Olivia’s brother, Ryan.
Seeing Olivia, his expression was surprised and strange.
“Why are you here?”
It didn’t sound like how one would greet a sister they hadn’t seen in a long time.
More like seeing someone they disliked.
Olivia was already used to it.
“I need to see Mom about something.”
Ryan hesitated before opening the door.
“Come in, Mom’s in the living room.”
After entering the yard, Olivia immediately noticed the newly planted flowers.
Winter jasmine filled nearly half the garden.
It was Sophia’s favorite flower.
That area used to be where she had planted red camellias to please her father.
Now there was no trace of them left.
Noticing her gaze, Ryan said,
“Sophia likes winter jasmine. Dad had them planted.”
.
<
It sounded like an explanation, but was really just informing her.
After all, none of her things mattered in the Hayes household.
Olivia looked away.
“Oh.
Ryan gave her an odd look.
In the past, Olivia would have been hurt hearing things like this.
Why was she so calm today?
Ryan tried to detect some signs of distress on her face, but found none.
Before she even stepped into the living room, laughter could be heard.
Her mother Linda was holding up a finished cheongsam, comparing it to Sophia’s figure.
“Frank, look, how’s the cheongsam I embroidered for Sophia?”
Her father Frank nodded appreciatively.
“Beautiful. The yellow winter jasmine embroidery is very elegant.”
Sophia smiled and linked arms with Linda.
“Mom’s handiwork is the most beautiful. I love everything she makes!”
Linda looked at Sophia with loving eyes.
“Such a sweet talker.”
Sophia liked wearing handmade cheongsams.
Linda felt the ones sold outside weren’t good enough, so she had been making them herself for Sophia for many years.
Sophia was in her thirties but still acted like a child, pouting.
She held up the dress and twirled around.
“Ethan, will this dress look good on me for New Year’s?”
Only then did Olivia notice Ethan sitting on the sofa, hidden by the wall.
Ethan looked up at Sophia with a smile.
The misty blue sweater made him look especially gentle.
Where was any trace of how he acted in front of Olivia?
“It looks good.”
Hearing Ethan’s warm voice,
Olivia felt a stabbing pain in her heart.
He had never complimented her on looking good.
Not even once.
The scene before her eyes was warm and loving.
<
The scene before her eyes was warm and loving.
Just like a real family.
Ryan coughed.
“Dad, Mom, Olivia’s back.”
Everyone’s smiles froze.
Linda turned and made eye contact with Olivia.
Linda’s eyes darted away, then she spoke awkwardly.
“Olivia’s back.”
Her tone was distant and polite, completely lacking the affection she showed Sophia.
Frank sat up straight, not even sparing Olivia a glance.
“What are you here for?”
That tone of voice made her sound like the outsider.
Then again, other than sharing the Hayes name, she was nothing like the Hayes family.
Sophia waved the cheongsam and smiled at her.
“Sis, this is the one I asked Mom to make for me. Don’t think too much of it.”
Hearing this, Frank snorted coldly.
“Your mother can make dresses for whoever she wants. Does she need Olivia’s permission?”
Sophia’s eyes flashed with
It was always like this.
smugness.
A few words from Sophia and the family would despise her.
In the past she would argue back, but now she had no energy for it.
Ethan watched the silent Olivia, feeling confused.
Olivia wouldn’t usually be this indifferent.
What was wrong with her today?
Olivia suppressed the pain in her heart and walked forward.
“Dad, Mom, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“Nonsense, how could Mom ever find you a bother.” Linda went to take Olivia’s hand but was avoided.
Linda’s smile froze on her face as she awkwardly withdrew her hand.
Olivia didn’t want to exchange pleasantries and stated her purpose directly.
“I came today to take back the white jade pendant Grandma left for me.”
5
Sophia was Olivia’s stepsister.
10:16 AM
<
5
Sophia was Olivia’s stepsister.
She was also the orphaned child of Frank’s deceased war buddy.
When Sophia was three, Frank’s comrade stepped on a landmine while trying to save Frank and died.
His wife committed suicide soon after.
Frank felt extremely guilty and took the initiative to raise Sophia.
He even brought Sophia to live with the Hayes family.
The Hayes weren’t particularly wealthy, but could easily afford to raise another child.
But Sophia had trouble getting along with Olivia.
So they sent Olivia to live with her grandmother in the countryside.
The white jade pendant Olivia’s grandmother left was specifically meant for Olivia.
At the time, Linda was very distraught over her mother’s passing and cried while holding the pendant.
Olivia felt bad for her mother and gave her the pendant.
But Linda had also said that whenever Olivia wanted it, she could come take it back.
Linda nervously smoothed her hair.
“Olivia dear, why are you asking about the pendant as soon as you arrive? Why don’t you catch up with everyone first?”
In the past, she always cared about them when she came back.
But did they appreciate it?
As soon as Sophia returned, they never spared her a single glance.
It was they who trampled on her concern, not her who didn’t give it.
{
Linda’s demeanor made Olivia suspicious.
“Mom, where’s the pendant?”
Linda couldn’t meet her eyes.
Sophia’s clear voice rang out.
“Sis, do you mean this pendant?”
Sophia pulled out the pendant from her neckline.
“I didn’t know it was from your grandmother. Ithought Mom bought it for me.”
Olivia’s body trembled as she looked at Linda.
“Mom, that’s the pendant Grandma left for me!”
Linda tried to explain.
But before she could speak, Frank interrupted.
“What’s yours or mine? Olivia, don’t you understand? If Sophia wants the pendant, are you really going to fight her for it?”
10:16 AM
<
But before she could speak, Frank interrupted.
“What’s yours or mine? Olivia, don’t you understand? If Sophia wants the pendant, are you really going to fight her for it?”
Olivia felt it was getting hard to breathe.
She could give up everything else.
But this was Grandma’s pendant!
She and her grandmother had relied on each other for over a decade. The pendant was the only thing her grandmother left behind!
Frank continued to berate her.
“You dare raise your voice at your parents over a mere pendant? Where are your manners?”
“That’s right,” Ryan chimed in from the side, “It’s just a pendant, what’s the big deal? Olivia, you’re being too petty.”
“Enough,” Linda pulled on Ryan’s arm and said to Olivia, “Your sister likes it, so just let her have it.”
Olivia looked at the silent Ethan.
