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.

toward the tree.

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

same sight greeted him. A woman wearing a thin

than the past few days. The first rays of the sun cast its glow

skin glowed under it, making her look like a fairy who would vanish into thin air in the blink of an eye. Her hands

him but was able to sense

“Mhmm?” He hummed.

close to each other, yet

drink the apple cider you made one

some time to respond. “The

eyes looked a little puffy as she muttered, “Can you treat it as my last

three months. He turned to look at the barren tree. In a slightly softer tone, he told her, “The frozen ones from

Next year …

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

“Yes.”

die?” She turned to face him and spoke

beat at her words, and his thoughts became empty.

he recomposed himself and calmly said, “Fine. It’s just some apple cider. Come

watched as he entered the house, the corner of her lips turning up into a smile. “Are you afraid of me

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

Olivia watched as he busied himself in

was something worth

her of how Ethan’s grandmother would never fail to rush over when she smelled roasted marshmallows in the

away two years ago. Ethan’s grandfather then moved overseas to prevent himself from being

stood cold and empty. Ethan’s grandmother was no longer here to rob Olivia of her roasted marshmallows too, and

felt that her stomach did not

the soup into

had she fallen from being

to turn a blind eye to the truth of their relationship by reminding herself of how