Chapter 168
Even After Death
Ethan returned home after dealing with the Carlton family. He initially thought Olivia would wait for him
in the living room like before.
No matter how late he returned home, she would always sleep on the couch in the living room.
She always made sure the lights were turned on when he returned.
However, the house was shrouded by darkness when he opened the door. She wasnât on the couch
either.
Ethan was tipsy.
Before this, Olivia would welcome him home. She would grumble while looking for hangover pills for
him.
She was naggy, but he loved it.
Unlike before, he felt cold although the heater was turned on.
He opened the bedroom door. Thanks to the lightning from the hallway, he could see the bump on the
bed.
Olivia fell asleep a moment ago.
Ethan pulled her into his embrace. The air that reeked of alcohol woke her up.
âYou drank?â
Hearing her groggy voice, he grumbled, âOlivia, youâve changed.â
It didnât make sense to her. âAre you kidding me? Youâre the one who had a change of heart first.â
He wrapped his arms tightly around her. He appeared mild at the moment.
âI didnât. I never did.â His drowsy voice rang into her ears.
Olivia didnât buy it. After all, his and Marinaâs son was already a year old.
How could he claim that he never had a change of heart?
Nevertheless, she knew his character all too well that she should let him be. Otherwise, she wouldnât
be able to have a good nightâs sleep tonight.
Just like that, she nestled in his arms quietly. She didnât want to tick him off.
As she had expected, her obedient reaction comforted him.
Ethan hugged her tighter and rested his head on her shoulder. âLiv, I barely found you. Can you not run
away again?â
It had been a long time since she last heard his gentle tone.
If this happened two months ago, she wouldâve been elated.
Now, it didnât affect her emotions a single bit.
She was aware that it was empty words said under the influence of alcohol. Once the sun rose, he
would return to his original self again.
Love and respect wouldnât be able to fix their relationship anymore. One of them had to have a downfall
before they could find
peace.
That night, Ethan hugged her tightly as if he had found his lost treasure at long last.
There were no hurtful words, only gentleness.
He soon drifted into dreamland. Olivia, who was used to sleeping alone, couldnât sleep because of his
warmth.
Belleâs death was all she could think of.
After making sure that he was deep asleep, she slid out of his arms.
She put on a cardigan and sneaked to the study.
She reopened the safe, which was unlocked with her birthdate. She didnât know whether to see him as
fickle or loyal.
Olivia was confident that she missed something.
Leiaâs death must be related to Jeff and Belle in some way.
Olivia wasnât in a hurry. Instead of reading other peopleâs information, she flipped through Leiaâs
information.
Leiaâs death was taboo to Ethan, so Olivia didnât dare to bring it up before this.
Thus, she didnât peruse the documents related to Leia.
Aside from Leiaâs toys, there was a brown paper bag in the safe.
Olivia thought, âIf Iâm dead, will my whole life be written on a stack of papers? And be consigned to
oblivion after ten years?â
Leiaâs adoptive parents passed away years ago. What about her friends?
There should be at least a trace of someoneâs existence in this world.
Olivia snapped pictures of the documents, believing that the truth was hidden within them. While she
was on tenterhooks, a cold voice sounded from the door. âAre you done reading?