Even After Death by Lilting Champ

Everly was an exceptionally bad drunk. If it wasn’t for Olivia, she would have gone at it with the men in the lounge.

It was the first time Olivia saw her friend hugging a man and wailing about being an empty-nester. Olivia had no choice but to bring her drunk friend back to her new rental.

A while back, Jeff’s caregiver found out that Olivia was looking for apartments for rent and recommended the apartment of a relative to her. Olivia settled on the apartment because she could save on agent fees. Moreover, the deal was backed by the caregiver, whom she trusted.

Since her landlord wouldn’t be back in the country anytime soon, Olivia had not officially signed the lease, but she received his approval via WhatsApp and moved in. Without signing any lease, she left no records behind for Ethan to track her down.

The tiny apartment was a far cry from her family home at the height of their fortune, and it was no match for the villa she shared with Ethan.

Still, it was cozy, and she liked it enough. She even kept her dad’s favorite tropical fish in the apartment.

Whenever she opened the windows, she’d have a full view of the ocean. Once, she thought that Collington Cove was Ethan’s gift for her. Later, she was aghast to learn that Marina had returned to the country and moved into that place right away.

The fact made her miserable for a long time, but she was finally over it. Be it living in an expensive or affordable apartment, she could still enjoy the same ocean view.

The apartment came with a small balcony, where she lay down some thick rugs. She had initially planned to bring Jeff home when his condition stabilized. She’d like him to spend his retirement at her place, sunbathing on the balcony and enjoying life.

Too bad things took a turn for the worse. The cancer diagnosis came out of the blue, and she never thought that her dad would remain in the ICU.

The drinking made her feel a little queasy, so she took some medicine and lay on the mattress by the cot she placed in her room. It wasn’t the most comfortable arrangement, but that was the only way she’d get some shut-eye.

Thanks to the alcohol, she had a good sleep and woke up late. Everly woke up earlier and made her some breakfast.

one breached the topic of the wild night. Adults seemed to be

of heels in her hands and a piece of

out to her, “Eve, I probably can’t keep you company

about it. Do you really think I’m so into splurging? Yesterday’s celebration was a grand farewell to our youth. I woke up a new person today, ready to work! I’d take money

Got it.” Olivia saw her friend at the door, where they gave each other a soft hug.

rich coming from you! You can’t even keep your perfect husband. Let’s see if you’ll find yourself a man as good as him

future?” Olivia looked at the sun

back hug and said, “I’ll be busy for a couple of days too. When things cool down, I’ll catch up with you. Take care, okay? It’s going to snow soon. Even if no one’s keeping you warm, you need

“Alright.”

before switching on her

divorce, but unfortunately, she wouldn’t have time for that in the next few

of calls to her. Olivia called Chloe

was worried about you for days. Do you need more money? I’ll

many years after Chloe left, she felt very aggrieved, wondering why

all people, why

no amount of pain would change the reality.

“Mom, I’m fine. Don’t worry. Ethan gave me some money.

the rain. “Liv, where are you?

flatly, “Mom, you wouldn’t have disappeared for years without a call if you had cared about me. And you would have visited Dad when you came back if you still

of panic. I reached out to you, forgetting

“Liv, I—”

we were before. I’ll take care of Dad. You never had a

than blaming Chloe for making her feel ashamed in front of Marina, she was angry at how Chloe went abroad and never

of another man. She couldn’t