Nolan lingered for quite a while in Lillian's office before taking his leave. As fate would have it, his exit coincided with Oliver and Serena’s approach. The sight of him tightened Oliver's gaze instantaneously, a chilly aura enveloping his demeanor.Accompanying Oliver, Serena instantly picked up on the tension. With a contemplative look towards Nolan, who was just leaving Lillian’s office, she mused aloud, “Mr. Jiang seems to be on rather good terms with Lillian. Weren’t they out dining together just the other day?”Oliver’s brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line, answering her with silence. But Serena, feigning ignorance of his mood, carried on, “When I think about it, he's quite considerate towards Lillian. After the Shen family’s downfall, everyone avoided her, yet he joined the company alongside her and still keeps in touch. I used to hear rumors about her father grooming Mr. Jiang as a prospective son-in-law—I thought they were just jokes.”Serena paused there, choos
Jealous? Oliver's composure wavered, and he touched the crimson mark by her lips. His voice was deep and rough, a touch of hoarseness making it unexpectedly alluring. “Even if I were jealous, so what? Don’t forget, in the eyes of the law, you are my wife.”His breath was hot against Lillian’s face, his lips inching closer as their breaths mingled. Lillian, mere moments from their lips touching, countered, “So what if I am legally your wife? Are you entitled to be jealous?”Oliver stilled.Lillian smiled, her voice laced with mockery, “Or to put it another way, if you’re jealous over me, where does that leave Serena?”The sudden intrusion of a third party quenched the flame of desire in Oliver’s eyes. His gaze chilled considerably, taken aback by the mention of Serena.“Why bring her up?” Oliver’s voice was a mix of surprise and irritation.Lillian replied with a pointed tone, “Why not? Why mention Nolan then?”A tense silence fell between them, and finally, Oliver released her wrist a
Despite being declined just yesterday, Serena came again today, insistent on delivering a meal, her feigned kindness causing Lillian to stifle a laugh. Lillian, too disinterested to expose her act, wasn't even up for acknowledging her."Lillian, you've been quite ill, you must be feeling weak. I've even simmered chicken soup especially for you today. Won't you have some?" Serena insisted.Lillian, resting her chin on her hand, observed Serena with a calm amusement. No other souls were present, yet Serena maintained her charade. Lillian set aside her pen and faced her directly. "Doesn't this act tire you?"Lillian's question was about Serena's pretense, but Serena seemed to miss the point and shifted the conversation. "There's a certain bliss in cooking for someone you care about, to watch them enjoy the meal. How could I ever find that tiring?"She added with a sting, "Lillian, when you find someone who likes you as much as you like them, you'll understand my feelings. You too would b
Serena emerged from Lillian's office with a complexion turning sour beyond measure, her hands trembling slightly by her dress hem. She had never expected such mockery from a mere assistant. Although she refrained from lashing out there and then, the affront was something Serena felt she couldn't just swallow.Upon returning to her own office, Serena immediately vented about the incident, her voice devoid of resentment, secretly hoping for Oliver's sympathy. However, after her recount, Oliver remained silent for what felt like an eternity."Oliver?" Serena queried, puzzled by his lack of response, only to notice his distant gaze fixed on his laptop, seemingly lost in thought.With no choice but to call his name a couple more times, Oliver finally snapped back to reality, frowning slightly, "You're back."Serena's heart sank. How long had she been back? Had he not heard a word she said?"Uh, yes. I've been back a while. I was talking to you, but you didn't respond," she managed to say w
“Or is it that you lack confidence in him?” Lillian's lips curved into a faint smile, “Given my current predicament, I'm not worried. What's troubling you?”Seeing her still standing there, unmoved, Lillian pressed on, “Relax. In a few days, Grandma will have her surgery. Just hold on a little longer, and soon you'll have your wish. As soon as her operation is a success, I'll leave this place and not return for five years.”Serena gradually regained her composure with Lillian’s reminder. Indeed, it was just a matter of days before it would all be over, the farce between her and Oliver included. Then, she wouldn't have to tiptoe around as she did now."Fine, I'll take your word for it for now and hope you'll stick to it when the time comes."After Serena's departure, the room fell silent. Lillian's gaze dropped to her abdomen, her hand lightly caressing it."Baby, let's pray together for everything to go smoothly. Soon, I'll take you abroad to live. Your grandfather is there, and he wi
In the usual humdrum of life, she didn't dwell on memories. She lived her days in a mix of clarity and haze, but once she let herself remember...Those casual intimacies, now like blades, cut through her piece by piece.Lillian leaned against the safe weakly, closing her eyes in resignation. If only he had shown her the slightest bit of affection, she wouldn’t feel so desolate...When she returned with their marriage certificates in hand, Oliver had just emerged from the shower, his face as somber as when he'd entered. He paused as he passed by her, seeing the two red booklets in her grip, his gaze turning icy as he stared at her.Under that piercing look, Lillian, holding the certificates, felt at a loss.A moment later, he scoffed, "Eager, aren't you?"Lillian flinched, her lips parted but no words came out. She just gripped the certificates tighter and looked down. What was there to say? It seemed there was nothing left worth saying.The divorce was his idea, his heart belonged to
The civil affairs office wasn't crowded, but since they arrived later, they had to wait. Lillian, who had barely slept the night before, felt exhausted and found a place to sit down.Oliver followed but remained standing, his face as dark as ever, not looking to join her.Once inside the civil affairs office, Lillian was relatively calm.She looked up at Oliver and asked, "Aren’t you going to sit?""No need," he replied, his voice devoid of warmth and without so much as a glance at her.Lillian got the message; he didn't want to deal with her. Why would he, when they were about to divorce and he was soon to be free with his beloved Serena?Thankfully, she had never harbored any illusions about remaining friends after the divorce.At first, their silence was comfortable, but as time passed, whispers from around them started to creep in."This atmosphere... they're here for a divorce, right?""Divorce? With their looks? It’s incomprehensible that they would split up.""Hard to imagine t
After taking the bag from Oliver, Lillian realized he had bought some fast-food items. With little appetite, she simply peeked inside and then put it aside.Oliver watched her every move, “Don’t like any of it?”Lillian snapped back to the moment and shook her head, “It’s not that. I just don’t feel like eating right now.”He said nothing more and after a few seconds, took a seat beside her. Lillian couldn’t tell if it was from his lack of layers or the chill from outside, but the temperature seemed to drop when he sat down. She noticed he was still only wearing that thin shirt. Her lips parted as if to say something, but she stopped herself, leaving the silence hanging between them.They sat there quietly, close enough to touch yet worlds apart. Lillian watched those who had gossiped with her earlier get called up with their partners, emerging with their little red books, holding each other, smiles of happiness lighting up their faces.Watching them reminded Lillian of her and Oliver