Chapter 4

By the time I got home, it was already late at night. Evan was so worried he kept pacing in the yard.

When he saw me come back empty-handed, he rushed over. "Olivia, why are you only just getting back? Did anything happen to you?"

The moment I saw him, my nose tingled and I couldn't help but throw myself into his arms. "I'm sorry, I couldn't get the medicine. I'm so useless. What can we do now?"

I was filled with guilt, but Evan just let out a sigh of relief. "I thought something serious had happened. Turns out it was just about me again.

"Olivia, just being able to come back to you is already a blessing from heaven. How could I ever ask for more?"

As Evan spoke, he gently cupped my face, his warm fingers brushing away the tears at the corners of my eyes. He chuckled softly.

"Come on, it's only been two years. When did you get so emotional?" he said. "I'm standing right here in front of you. There's nothing to be afraid of."

I lowered my gaze.

I wanted to tell him that I'd actually found the herb, had already picked it, and was so close to bringing it home.

But Alexander and Serena were immortals. There was no way I could win against them.

In the end, I kept it all to myself.

I couldn't let Evan know about Alexander, or it would only make him sad.

Even though Alexander and I hadn't actually been a couple, deep down the guilt and shame were eating me up inside.

It was like I'd been cheating on Evan for two years, keeping it all a secret from him.

Seeing how down I was, Evan gently ruffled my hair. "Go get some sleep, darling.

"If death comes, that's tomorrow's worry. Let's cherish every day, okay?"

The moonlight reflected in his eyes, and his words gave me strength.

After a moment, I nodded firmly. "Okay, I'll cherish every day."

Evan smiled, pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of my lips, and led me inside.

Over the next few days, we became even more inseparable.

I stopped worrying all the time that he might suddenly disappear from my life.

If he died this time, I knew I wouldn't want to go on living either.

I cherished our time together more than ever.

We weren't rich, but over the years we'd managed to save up enough, so at least we never had to worry about having enough to eat.

*****

Half a month later, while Evan was out working, I sat in the yard, stitching up some clothes for him.

His birthday was coming up in just a couple of days, and I wanted to do something special to surprise him.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a voice I recognized instantly echoed through the yard. "Olivia, is your mother feeling any better?"

My heart gave a jolt. I looked up to find Alexander standing there, fixing his gaze on me.

"I'm here to bring you a pill," he said. "I'm sorry I made you give the herb to Serena that day. I've crafted a life-saving elixir for you."

As he spoke, he opened his palm, and a black pill appeared. My eyes widened, and every hair on my body stood on end.

I had no idea how I'd explain this if Evan walked in right now.

"You need to leave." I scrambled to my feet, panic rising in my chest. The half-finished fabric slipped from my hands and landed on the ground.

Alexander took one look and frowned. "Are you making something for a man?"

Cold sweat prickled on my skin as I quickly crouched down, carefully brushing the dust off the cloth.

"This has nothing to do with you, and I don't want your pill. Just go," I said sharply.

"Is the one you brought back really your mother?" Alexander slowly withdrew his hand, his tone suddenly turning icy.

I was freaking out, and of all times, that was when Evan walked in.

He cast a glance at Alexander, his brows furrowing. "Olivia, who's this gentleman?"

The yard was so quiet that it was almost scary.

Evan and Alexander stood face to face, both looking tense and serious.

Alexander clenched his fists, staring at Evan like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

My face drained of color, and before I could even think, I stammered out, "H-he's just passing by. He wanted some water."

Evan let out a breath, though the doubt in his eyes didn't fade. "Okay, I'll get him some water."

As Evan went inside to get the water, I hissed under my breath to Alexander, "Go, now."

Alexander suddenly darted over and seized my wrist. "Olivia, is he the one you brought back to life? Didn't you say you were going to resurrect your mom? Why did you lie to me about it?"

I forced myself to stay calm, but inside, my mind was racing. "I never said that.

"Alexander, for you, bringing someone back from the dead is as easy as snapping your fingers.

"You said you'd help me, so who I choose to bring back is up to me. Why do you care so much?"

"But he's a man." Alexander's grip on my wrist tightened, his eyes blazing with jealousy and anger. "Since you married me, you're mine. How could you do this to me?"

With a sharp crack, before Alexander could finish, Evan came out carrying the water and froze in place. The bowl slipped from his hands and shattered into pieces on the ground.