Chapter 3
After Olivia finished painting the walls and threw out all the trash, old Mr. Black still spoke to her harshly.
"Who are you making that sad face for? I'll let it slide today.
"But at tomorrow's charity gala, if you embarrass the Blacks like this, it won't be brushed aside so lightly."
Olivia listened quietly. For once, she didn't argue.
After years of marriage, it was time to end things tomorrow.
The next day, when Olivia arrived at the gala, Lucas and Charlotte were already hand in hand, surrounded by a crowd.
They were acting intimately. Reporters kept asking for the secret to their lasting love.
Lucas didn't answer.
But when the flash bothered Charlotte, he raised his hand to stop all photography and stepped in front of her.
"My wife is near her due date. She can't be too stressed. Please understand."
His tone was gentle, but anyone could see the protectiveness in his eyes.
Charlotte leaned against him, her face full of happiness.
"He's so clingy. He wants to be with me 24/7. Last time my sister-in-law was in the hospital, I had to beg him just to go see her.
"I have company, but Olivia is all alone now. Instead of bothering me, why don't you go talk to her?"
Then the media noticed Olivia. A crowd swarmed around her, asking about her dead husband.
On stage, Lucas showed no reaction. He just protected Charlotte and didn't spare Olivia a single glance.
Olivia took a deep breath and said softly, "The dead can't come back. I've already accepted that.
"Thank you for your concern. I will move on."
Her words finally made Lucas's expression change a little.
Later, when she went to the restroom, Lucas cornered her.
"What do you mean ‘the dead can't come back'? Olivia, I told you I'll return after Charlotte has the baby.
"Can't you be more understanding?"
Olivia looked at him for a long time without speaking. Her tears had long dried. Her eyes were sore. She pushed him away.
"Brother-in-law, please show some respect."
Lucas froze. Then his eyes churned with emotion, and he pressed her into a corner.
"Olivia, I have no choice. Are you really going to be angry with me? You don't know how I…"
Before he could finish, his phone rang.
"Honey, where are you? More reporters came. I'm scared!"
That one sentence made Lucas forget all about her. He turned and left.
At the end of the evening, Charlotte took Lucas's hand and came over.
"Olivia, we have things to do. We've called a driver for you. You can go home by yourself, right?"
Before Lucas could speak, Olivia said, "Fine."
Hearing her reply, Lucas was startled. He said, "Sister-in-law, if you feel lonely, we can give you a ride—it's no trouble."
Charlotte immediately leaned on him. "Honey, you promised to take me to that new upscale spa right now."
Olivia suppressed her disgust and shook her head. "No need."