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 still there, as it

a couple of dried

woman wearing a thin knitted shirt stood watching the apple tree from below. A gentle breeze blew, gently tousling

The

of an eye. Her hands were bandaged, but

at him but was able

“Mhmm?” He hummed.

to face him. They stood close to

to drink the apple

and took some time to respond. “The apple season has passed. Stop

she muttered, “Can you treat it as my last request before our

at the barren tree. In a slightly softer tone, he told her, “The frozen ones from last year

Next year …

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

“Yes.”

die?” She turned

at her words, and his thoughts became empty. For a moment, it felt like

and calmly said, “Fine. It’s

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

kind of expression he would wear when he

the fridge to defrost. Olivia watched as he busied himself in the kitchen, thinking ruefully that this was probably the last

it was

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

old lady treated Olivia really well, as if she were her own granddaughter. Sadly, she passed away two years

longer here to rob Olivia of her roasted marshmallows too, and that made

stomach did not hurt as much as before. She could smell the pleasant scent of food from the

the soup into a thermos flask and into a

when had she fallen from being his priority and one

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