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.

thoughts wandered, she found herself walking alone toward the tree. It was

changed, including the man she’d been with. Even the tree had changed; only a couple

sight greeted him. A woman wearing a thin knitted shirt stood watching

The first rays of the sun cast its glow on

the blink of an eye. Her

him but was

“Mhmm?” He hummed.

face him. They stood close

the apple cider you made one

taken aback and took some time to respond. “The apple season has passed. Stop wasting your

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

months. He turned to look at the barren tree. In a slightly softer tone, he told her, “The frozen ones from last year aren’t fresh. Let’s

Next year …

fingers on the rough bark of the tree. She wouldn’t be able to

“Yes.”

happy if I die?”

at her words, and his thoughts became empty.

said, “Fine. It’s just some

he entered the house, the corner of her lips turning up into a smile. “Are you afraid of me dying?” she thought

She wondered what kind of expression he would wear when he received the news about her death one day. Would he be

he busied himself in the kitchen, thinking ruefully that this was probably the last

it was something worth

started roasting marshmallows. The sweetness permeated the air, reminding her of how Ethan’s grandmother would never fail to rush over when she smelled roasted

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 her roasted marshmallows too, and

that her stomach did not hurt as much as

walked over to find Ethan pouring some of the soup into a thermos flask and into a

from being his priority and

the truth of their relationship by reminding herself of how sweet he was to