Chapter 23
Even After Death
The bathroom door forcefully flew open, startling Olivia, who was picking up the last strands of her hair.
Watching him nervously, she said, âHey-â
Before She could finish, her eyes were attacked by the sight of Ethanâs bare, muscular chest. Even
though they had spent countless nights together in the past, it made her uncomfortable after not seeing
him for over a year. She quickly averted her
gaze.
Soon, the shadow he cast and his unique scent enveloped her as he approached. Olivia instinctively
cowered and stared at him warily. âWhat are you doing?â
Ethan slowly bent over her, his deep, dark gaze eyes falling upon her as he asked, âYou said you were
sick. How sick?â
Olivia didnât know how to feel meeting his inquisitive gaze. His eyes were devoid of mockery, disdain,
and aloofness; he genuinely wanted to know about her illness.
At this moment, Olivia was conflicted. She suddenly had a thought: if she told Ethan now, would he feel
even the slightest bit guilty for what he had done?
Sensing her hesitation, Ethan drew nearer, closing the distance between them. His gaze seemed to
pierce through her.
âWell? Iâm waiting,â he urged.
Olivia was flustered. She felt exceptionally nervous. She began to say, âI-â
Just then, Ethanâs phone rang. It was a ringtone Ethan had exclusively set for Marinaâs calls, which had
haunted Olivia for more than a year.
When Olivia was still with him, he would rush to Marina without hesitation whenever he heard that
ringtone regardless of what he was doing. Olivia still felt anxious whenever she heard that ringtone.
Hearing Marinaâs exclusive ringtone hit her like a bucket of cold water, leaving her cold from head to
toe. She deserved it for not learning her lesson despite getting hurt so many times.
When Ethan turned back to Olivia after answering the call, the look in Oliviaâs eyes changed. Her
conflicted feelings were gone, and in their place was serenity.
She answered, âItâs nothing much. I had a cold, and I was in the hospital for a few days.â
Ethan thought of the withered bouquet in their home. He had also assumed that she had a cold when
she didnât return home for those few days.
It had been three months since they last contacted each other after that phone call, and he knew
nothing about her hospitalization. It pained him, and he even felt a little guilty. No wonder she had
become so much thinner.
Ethan opened his mouth but didnât know what to say. Because of how hostile he had been, he couldnât
bring himself to utter any words of concern.
âItâs all in the past, Ethan. Weâve reached the point where we canât stand the sight of each other
anymore. Why are we still holding on to this? Letâs get a divorce. Iâm really tired,â Olivia said calmly..
It was a bad topic to raise. As soon as it was mentioned, he thought of her smiling at Keith at City Hall.
The thought of it made anger burn within Ethan, which spread as quickly as a prairie fire.
Each time she asked for a divorce, Ethan knew that she was eager to be with Keith.
The answer Olivia received was a cold scoff.
Grabbing her chin, he answered, âI decide whether we get a divorce. Since you havenât reached the
point where your current life is worse than death, how can you assume that I will let you go?â
With that, he whipped her hand off of him and returned to the bathroom, his eyes glowering with hatred.
He didnât see any hair on the bed, so he figured that he was worried for nothing and that she was only
focused on getting a divorce.