Even After Death by Lilting Champ

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.

Back then, the Ethan she knew was amiable and approachable. He was an excellent cook, and he spoiled her like a princess.

she found herself walking alone toward the tree. It was still there, as

everything had changed, including the man she’d been with. Even the tree had changed; only a couple of dried leaves hung from the branches

woman wearing a thin

was way better today than the past few days. The first rays of the sun cast

of an eye. Her hands were bandaged, but her countenance was pale, and she still wore the clothes she

did not look at him but was

“Mhmm?” He hummed.

face him. They stood close to each other, yet

to drink the apple cider you made

respond. “The apple season has passed. Stop wasting your time,” he said,

looked a little puffy as she muttered, “Can you treat

look at the barren tree. In a slightly softer tone, he told her, “The frozen ones from last year aren’t fresh. Let’s see how it goes next

Next year …

rough bark of the tree. She wouldn’t be able to wait for another year. “You must

“Yes.”

… will you be happy if I die?” She turned to face him

at her words, and his thoughts became empty.

said, “Fine. It’s

up into

on him. She wondered what kind of expression he would wear when he received the news

apples from the fridge to defrost. Olivia watched as he busied himself

it was something

roasting marshmallows. The sweetness permeated the air, reminding her of how Ethan’s grandmother would never fail

really well, as if she were her own granddaughter. Sadly, she passed away two years ago. Ethan’s grandfather then moved overseas to

and empty. Ethan’s grandmother was no longer here to rob Olivia of

roasted marshmallows and gulping down a glass of warm water, she felt that her stomach did not

Ethan pouring some of the soup into a thermos flask and into a

she fallen from being

asked herself that question. Yet, she continued to turn a blind eye to the truth of their relationship