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
No matter how softly Oliver called her name, Lillian seemed unreachable, locked within herself.Oliver’s impatience grew as the traffic light cycled back to green. The cars behind began to honk their horns, urging him to move. With the honking as a backdrop, Oliver suddenly leaned in and kissed Lillian, her teeth clamped shut, making it nearly impossible for him to deepen the kiss.Frowning, Oliver’s hand sneaked around her waist and tickled her gently. Lillian was ticklish, and despite not reacting as she normally would, her stiff body involuntarily jerked.Seizing the moment, Oliver pried her clenched teeth apart. The taste of blood was strong; before he could chide her for her lack of self-care, pain made him wince and groan.“Shit!”The pain nearly triggered a reflex to push her away, but he restrained himself, pinching her waist harder this time.Retreating, Oliver held her chin firmly to prevent any further bites, his voice low and threatening, “Lillian, wake up now or I swear I
Hearing his words, Lillian instinctively raised her eyes to meet his. Looking into his deep, dark eyes, she felt a sense of guilt as if he could see right through her. She averted her gaze and responded with feigned indifference, "Yes.""Is that so?" Oliver's eyes narrowed slightly as he peered at her, "Then why the dark circles under your eyes?" After a brief pause, as if realizing something, he added, "No wonder you suddenly wore glasses today."Lillian pulled her hand back, maintaining her nonchalant demeanor, "It's clean now, but you should get some ointment for your lip later. Let's go, we should visit Grandma."With that, Lillian turned and moved forward, Oliver contemplated for a moment and followed her steps."You have red veins in your eyes.""It means your eyes are tired. Didn't you sleep last night?"His successive remarks made Lillian turn around, unable to bear it any longer, "Oliver, enough is enough."Having said that, she stomped her high heels with a resounding clack
Serena rarely lost her temper. In public, she was always gentle and amiable. With her beauty and pleasant personality, she was viewed as a goddess in everyone's eyes. So, when she suddenly became angry, everyone was stunned, looking at her with various expressions. The room fell silent.In the quiet, under everyone's gaze, Serena suddenly came to her senses, realizing what she had just done. Her lips moved, but all she could muster was: "I'm sorry, I was in a bad mood just now, I lost my composure, I apologize."To maintain her goddess image, Serena kept apologizing while tears welled up in her eyes, falling like large pearls. Initially shocked by her outburst, her friends began to feel sympathetic after seeing her cry and apologize."Serena, what's wrong? Please don't cry.""Tell us what's bothering you; we'll help you.""Didn't you just speak with Oliver on the phone?"Everyone comforted her and passed tissues, finally soothing Serena's distress. Serena’s beauty, accentuated by her