Chapter 196
Even After Death
Olivia had known that the marriage between Ethan and Marina was set in stone.
But knowing and seeing were two entirely different things.
She stared at Ethan, who walked out of the bedroom.
Their eyes met.
A hint of surprise appeared in Ethanâs eyes. He opened his mouth like he wanted to explain something.
But nothing came out in the end.
Chloe said, âEthan, did you sleep well last night? If youâre not used to the bed, I can get someone to
make custom bedding for you two.
âAfter all, youâll be sleeping here regularly after you get married. Treat this like your own home. You can
let me know if you need anything.â
Marina also started to play her part as a loving daughter. She said with a smile, âThanks for being so
considerate, mom. It was true that we didnât sleep well last night.â
A trace of shyness flickered across her face. It was clear that she was implying something else.
Olivia finally understood why she was invited over.
It wasnât that Chloe missed her. She intentionally called her over to intimidate her and scare her away
from Ethan by making her see the truth.
It was so ironic.
Her biological mother was all smiles when talking to her stepâdaughter.
She remembered all of her stepâdaughterâs preferences. But she couldnât remember her own
daughterâs favorite breakfast.
Maybe her birth was an accident.
Olivia used to think that there must have been some reason why Chloe mistreated her.
She thought all mothers loved their daughters. But now she knew that Chloe was not like other
mothers.
It was because she didnât love her. Thatâs why she couldnât remember her preferences.
Marina was the daughter of the man she loved. Thatâs why she had to find ways to gain her favor.
Olivia looked at their family of four. She was the only outsider here from the start.
She realized that Ethanâs betrayal was not the most painful thing.
The most painful thing was the mother she had been missing for more than ten years coming back and
destroying the illusion
she had of her.
Before she could recover from that, her mother had hurt her once again.
She did it repeatedly. It was like she kept cutting into her wound before it could heal.
Olivia withdrew her gaze from them expressionlessly. She couldnât stand the sight of these people
before her.
âCongratulations to you, Mrs. Carlton. May your wish finally come true. Since you already started a new
life, donât come looking for me anymore.â
Olivia turned around decisively and was about to walk away. Chloe anxiously walked up to her and
grabbed her hand.
âLiv, youâre mistaken about me. All I am trying to do now is to make peace between you and Marina. As
Chris said, weâre all family.â
Olivia said with a cold smile, âI am a Fordham, not a Carlton.â
âLiv, why are you still as stubborn as before? Why canât you be more forgiving?â
Chloe reprimanded Olivia with a stern expression, âYou wouldnât be divorced if you managed your
marriage properly.
âBut new Ethan is already with Marina. You need to accept this reality. Stop holding on to the past.â
Olivia was so angry she could feel her stomach starting to hurt. Her head was also throbbing.
She almost thought that she was hearing things.
Was that something a real mother would say?
Olivia clenched her fingers and forced herself to calm down.
She looked Chloe in the eye and said slowly, âSo, from your perspective, I am the one thatâs clinging on
to Ethan? Everything is my fault?â