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.

the tree. It was still there, as it

a couple of dried leaves hung from the branches now.

the same sight greeted him. A woman wearing a thin knitted

the past few days. The first rays of

vanish into thin air in the blink of an eye. Her hands were bandaged, but her countenance was pale, and she still

him but was

“Mhmm?” He hummed.

They stood close to each other, yet their hearts were far

drink the apple cider you made

some time to respond. “The apple season has passed. Stop wasting your

muttered, “Can you treat it as

barren tree. In a slightly softer tone, he told her, “The frozen ones

Next year …

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

“Yes.”

you be happy if I die?”

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 cider.

the corner of her lips turning up into a smile. “Are you afraid of me dying?”

kind of expression he would wear when he received

busied himself in the kitchen, thinking ruefully that this was

least it was

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

granddaughter. Sadly, she passed away two years ago. Ethan’s

was no longer here to rob

of warm water, she felt that her stomach did not hurt as much as before. She could smell the

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

fallen from being his priority

blind eye to the truth of their relationship by reminding herself of how sweet he was to her in