She knew no one would burn offerings for her.
She also worried her grandmother wouldn’t have spending money in the afterlife.
So she bought a pile of spirit money and burned it for her grandmother first.
Watching the dancing flames, Olivia said softly: “Grandma, use it sparingly. We’ll have to share down there.”
After finishing, Olivia looked at the large pile of ashes, feeling somewhat cheerful.
Now, there was nothing left tying her down.
At that moment, the front door lock turned.
Ethan was back.
He frowned as he entered, waving away the flying paper ash.
“Olivia, what are you burning?”
Olivia continued cleaning up the burner, replying flatly.
“Just burning some spirit money for Grandma!”
“Don’t burn these things at home in the future.” Ethan said, opening the windows.
“Mm, I won’t anymore.”
After all, this was the last time.
Hearing Olivia’s tone, Ethan sensed she was in a decent mood.
After hesitating for a moment, Ethan spoke up.
“I want Sophia to move in.”
Olivia paused, then said sarcastically: “There’s only 7 days until we can divorce. Dr. Hayes can’t even wait that long?”
“We have so many empty rooms, it won’t hurt to let her stay.” Ethan continued, “It’s convenient for her work at the hospital too.”
Olivia didn’t look up.
“You’ve already decided, why bother asking me?”
Ethan pressed his lips together, his voice becoming very quiet.
“Sophia is pregnant.”
The basin in her hands fell to the floor, black ash scattering everywhere.
Olivia patted the white dress that had gotten dirty, only smearing more handprints on it.
“Ethan,” Olivia’s voice trembled uncontrollably, “Is it yours?”
He avoided her gaze, his explanations sounding increasingly hollow.
“That night was a misunderstanding. I never thought there would be a child.”
“The pregnancy is only 26 days along, still unstable.”
26 days.
Olivia realized it had been exactly 26 days since she was diagnosed with cancer.
She remembered the perfume smell from that day.
She had been so stupid, forgetting even that.
What kind of intimacy would leave such a strong perfume scent?
She seemed to understand now why Ethan refused to divorce her.
Did he think not divorcing was a way to make amends?
Seeing her silence, Ethan continued,
“I want her to move in so you can help take care of her. You’re free anyway.”
Olivia walked over and couldn’t control herself, slapping him hard across the face.
The crisp sound echoed in the living room.
Ethan’s glasses were knocked off, falling far away.
Olivia couldn’t hold back her surging tears. She grabbed Ethan’s collar, crying.
“Ethan, are you even human?”
“Are you still human?!”
“You may not love me, but how could you humiliate me like this!”
Ethan let her grab him, silently turning his head away.
He knew he was in the wrong.
But his silence now felt like surging tides, suffocating.
Ethan and Sophia were childhood sweethearts.
Their relationship spanned from middle school through college.
Olivia never expected Ethan to love her much, and had imagined how close he and Sophia might be.
She thought she would be indifferent to it.
But when faced with the reality, she realized.
Watching the man she once loved so deeply admit to cheating still hurt.
Olivia let go of Ethan, leaning against the glass and struggling to breathe.
<
Olivia let go of Ethan, leaning against the glass and struggling to breathe.
“It’s my fault.”
Ethan admitted his mistake for the first time.
“But Sophia’s health is poor. If she terminates this pregnancy, she may never be able to have children.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t divorce you. Sophia doesn’t want to break up our marriage either.”
“I’ve discussed it with her. This child will be registered under my name. You’ll raise it.”
Ethan’s words came one after another.
More than he had said to her in a month.
While Olivia’s heart gradually calmed.
“I agree to let her move in.””
Ethan’s eyes brightened a bit.
“But in 7 days, I must get the divorce certificate.”
His previous words made her realize Ethan wanted to back out.
Since things had come to this point,
She had to make Ethan agree to the divorce.
She didn’t have time to wait another month.
Ethan was stunned. He became somewhat anxious.
“I won’t divorce you, don’t worry-”
“I’m not discussing this with you.” Olivia’s tone grew cold, “I’m informing you. Otherwise, I’ll let everyone know about Dr. Hayes‘ lifestyle.”
She wasn’t very good at threats, so her words didn’t sound very forceful.
But it was enough for Ethan to sense her determination.
Ethan was speechless. He looked down at Olivia.
“Olivia, do you really have to be so ruthless?”
Olivia laughed: “Ethan, was Sophia’s child my doing? Am I the one who got her pregnant?”
Ethan clenched his fist: “I said, it was a misunderstanding-”
“What kind of misunderstanding leads to the bedroom?!”
Olivia suppressed the nausea in her stomach and glanced at Ethan.
“Ethan, you truly disgust me.”
