Chapter 9

Ethan looked pissed after Olivia chewed him out and hung up on him.

Did Olivia really just tell me to get lost?

For three years of marriage, Olivia had always been so meek and obedient in front of him. No matter how much he gave her the cold shoulder, she never complained.

But today, she snapped at him, her voice brimming with anger and hatred.

Just as Ethan was about to call her back, Vanessa wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. "Ethan, you're here. Why didn't you come into my room? Don't you want to see me?"

"Of course not, I was just making a call," Ethan replied.

With Vanessa clinging to him, Ethan put his phone away and led her back to her room.

Ethan was still haunted by the memory of Vanessa struggling to breathe that day. It left a lingering anxiety in his chest.

He was about to call the doctor for another check-up, but Vanessa quickly stopped him. "Ethan, the doctors have their hands full. No need to trouble them."

"I want some grapes," Vanessa said.

Ethan didn't push back. He grabbed a grape, peeled it, and held it out for her. As Vanessa leaned in to eat, her tongue flicked softly against his fingertip.

The sensation made Ethan's breath falter for a moment.

Vanessa slid her hand around Ethan's neck, pulling him closer.

"Ethan, I want you with me every day. I want..." Vanessa whispered, her breath, sweet with grapes, brushing against his face.

After a few seconds, Ethan barely kept his cool and pushed Vanessa away.

Seeing Vanessa's hurt look, he gently coaxed her, "Just hold on a little longer. Once Olivia has the baby and I get that ten percent share to take over Sterling Enterprises, my mom won't be able to do anything to you anymore."

"Ethan, I love you for who you are, not for your status," Vanessa said, her eyes full of affection.

She gazed at him, her voice soft and sincere. "If you just say the word, I'd run away with you to the ends of the earth. I don't care what we eat, as long as I'm with you."

"You love being on stage so much. Could you really give that up?" Ethan asked.

"Of course. As long as you love me, I'd give up everything, even my career, even my life, for you," Vanessa said, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Don't say that," Ethan said, pressing his hand over her lips.

Ethan always knew Vanessa was the right girl for him. If his mom hadn't gotten her tangled up in all those old family grudges, they would've tied the knot a long time ago.

Vanessa's words hit Ethan right in the heart. He didn't want her to wait another second. He rushed to draw up the divorce papers and took them home right away.

The house felt cold and empty. Olivia was nowhere to be seen.

Ethan suddenly remembered how, no matter how late he came home, Olivia would always be waiting for him in the living room.

She'd always have a midnight snack ready for him, gazing at him with eyes so tender and full of longing.

But somewhere along the way, she stopped waiting, and the warmth in her eyes faded into icy indifference.

If his mother hadn't used Vanessa's life as leverage, Ethan never would've married Olivia. In fact, he resented Olivia for not standing up and refusing the marriage back then. That's why, for three years, he treated her with nothing but cold indifference.

'Why am I even thinking about Olivia now?' Ethan wondered, feeling a strange sense of confusion.

Ethan figured it was just because, after three years of marriage, Olivia was always hovering around, always annoying him. Now that she was suddenly not around, he just wasn't used to it.

Olivia's grandmother was in poor health, so Ethan figured Olivia was probably still at the hospital, looking after her.

Ethan returned to the hospital with the divorce papers. Just as he was about to head to Olivia's grandmother's room, Vanessa texted him, saying she couldn't sleep.

So Ethan turned around and went to Vanessa's room instead.

When Ethan walked in holding the divorce papers, Vanessa's heart leapt with excitement, but she still asked in disbelief.

"Ethan, are you really going to divorce Olivia?"

"Yeah. Even if you'd run away with me, I don't want you living like a fugitive," Ethan said softly, gently brushing her cheek. "My mom might keep you out of the Sterling family, but she can't stop us from getting that marriage certificate."

"Don't worry. Olivia needs money for her grandma's treatment. Once I put the divorce papers in front of her, she'll have to sign, no matter what," Ethan said, his tone cold and determined.

But Ethan didn't even realize Olivia's grandmother had already passed away.

Vanessa didn't say a word. She just threw herself into Ethan's arms, holding him tight.

The next day, after an early morning meeting at the office, Ethan took Vanessa down to the harbor, where a sleek two-story luxury yacht was waiting for them.

"Vanessa, this yacht is my gift to you," Ethan said softly.

"Are you serious? This is incredible! Ethan, you're the best!" Vanessa was so excited she practically jumped into his arms and planted a big kiss on him.

As they got close, the heavy lily fragrance Vanessa wore made Ethan wrinkle his nose.

He was sensitive to smells. Floral scents always bothered him.

He always liked the fresh citrus scent Olivia used, though.

Vanessa was so caught up in the excitement of getting the yacht that she didn't even notice Ethan spacing out. She invited a bunch of her friends over and threw a wild party on the yacht.

As the yacht cruised through the night, everyone was totally wasted.

As soon as Ethan carried Vanessa into the room, she suddenly took charge, pushing him onto the bed. With her eyes closed and cheeks flushed, she kissed him shyly.