Olivia looked at the paper in her hand. It was the address of a cemetery.
Was Ethan’s sister dead?
Even so, what did her father have to do with her death?
If anyone were to know what kind of person her father was, it would be Olivia. And she knew he was not one to harm others, let alone a young woman.
She knew that Brent and Kelvin would not disclose more information and decided to stop probing them. It was silent all the way to the Millers’ residence. Olivia had mixed feelings when they arrived.
Brent politely asked her, “Mrs. Miller, would you like to go inside?”
“No, thanks. I’ll wait for him here.”
This was the final time she would meet him, and it was only to settle their divorce. She did not want to cause more trouble for herself. Besides, every single thing in there would remind her of their time together, and she refused to reminisce about the past.
He was to blame for cherishing her so much back then. Even though he had become colder and more indifferent to her over time, she would never forget how kind and loving he had been.
He should have been someone she hated to the core, but she could not find it in her heart to do so.
The ignition was not turned off, and the inside of the car was warm and comfortable. She was the only one left in the car now.
Her stomach started to hurt again, and she curled up into a fetal position and waited for the sky to brighten up. After that, she shifted into a position where she hugged her knees tightly to her chest.
It was winter, so the days were short and the nights long. It was already seven in the morning now, yet the sky was still rather dark. The leaves had fallen from the apple tree in the garden, making her thoughts drift off to some time in the past.
During the apple season, she yearned to have a taste of apple cider. Knowing this, Ethan helped to pick the fruits for her.
He was an excellent cook, and he spoiled her like
walking alone toward the tree. It was still there, as
had changed, including the man she’d been with. Even the tree had changed; only a couple of dried
the same sight greeted him. A woman wearing a thin knitted shirt stood watching the apple tree from
better today than the past few days. The first rays
under it, making her look like a fairy who would vanish into thin air in the blink of an eye. Her hands were
look at him but was able to sense his
“Mhmm?” He hummed.
turned to face him. They stood close to each other,
the apple cider you made one
aback and took some time to respond. “The apple season has passed. Stop wasting
as she muttered, “Can you treat it as my last request before
lot in just three months. He turned to look at the barren tree. In a slightly softer tone, he told her, “The frozen ones from last year
Next year …
her fingers on the rough bark of the tree. She wouldn’t be able to wait for another year.
“Yes.”
you be happy if I die?” She
became empty. For a moment, it felt like he had lost his
some time, he recomposed himself and calmly said, “Fine. It’s just some apple
as he entered the house, the corner of her lips turning up into a smile. “Are you afraid of me dying?” she
taking revenge on him. She wondered what kind of expression he would wear when he received the news about her death one day. Would
from the fridge to defrost. Olivia watched as he busied himself in the kitchen, thinking ruefully that this was probably the last time he would cook
was something
air, reminding her of how Ethan’s grandmother would
lady treated Olivia really well, as if she were her own granddaughter. Sadly, she passed away two years ago.
grandmother was no longer here
marshmallows and gulping down a glass of warm water, she felt that her stomach did not hurt as much as before. She could smell the pleasant scent of food
some of the soup into a thermos flask and into a
fallen from being his priority and one
truth of
apple cider is ready,” Ethan said,
tasted just the same as before, but she had already lost her appetite for it.