Chapter 4

Olivia's POV

By the time I walked out of the agency, the night had turned pitch black.

I didn't let Joe drive off immediately. I just stood on the sidewalk, letting the freezing wind bite my face.

When my phone rang, I saw the caller ID. My finger hesitated.

Ethan.

I picked up, my voice showing no emotion. "Hey."

"Where are you?" Ethan’s deep voice was filled with his usual concern. "Joe said you weren't home. Are you feeling sick again?"

I watched a young couple in a convenience store across the street, laughing as they picked out hot drinks. My throat tightened.

"Just tired. Out getting some fresh air."

"Send me your location. I’ll come pick you up."

I wanted to say no, but the words died in my throat.

"Okay."

Twenty minutes later, a sleek black Maybach pulled up to the curb.

Ethan got out, still wearing the exact same suit from the broadcast.

Impeccable cut, perfect cuffs, and the watch I gave him sitting prominently on his wrist.

My eyes lingered on the watch.

In the photo, Amber's hand had been resting right there.

Ethan didn't notice my stare. He quickly walked over and touched my forehead with his hand.

"Why are you so pale? Is your stomach hurting again?"

His hand was warm.

I used to crave this warmth.

Whenever I couldn't sleep, Ethan would wrap his arms around me from behind, and the world would instantly feel safe.

But now, as his hand rested on my skin, I only felt sick.

I turned my head away, avoiding his touch. "I'm fine."

Ethan’s hand froze in mid-air, but he quickly withdrew it smoothly.

"Are you still upset about the broadcast? I wanted to watch it with you, but something urgent came up at work."

Something urgent at work.

I almost laughed out loud.

He was always like this—lying with such smooth sincerity that it made you feel like you were the crazy one for doubting him.

I didn't call him out. I only asked, "Ethan, do you remember what you said on our wedding day?"

Ethan blinked, startled.

"Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?"

"Do you remember?"

The streetlights stretched our shadows. Ethan looked at me, his gaze softening.

"I remember."

Our wedding fifteen years ago wasn't huge.

Back then, Ethan had just taken over the family company, facing threats from both inside and out. Everyone was waiting for him to fail.

At the ceremony, his mother Madeline didn't even smile. She barely tolerated my presence.

But as Ethan led me down the aisle, he held my hand so tight it hurt.

In front of all the guests, he said, "Olivia, you are the only one for me. If I ever betray you, let me lose the right to ever see you again."

The guests had cheered, and I had laughed with tears in my eyes.

I thought it was a lifetime vow.

Ethan smiled faintly as he recalled the memory. "I said, if I ever betrayed you, I’d never see you again."

I looked into his eyes.

"Did you mean it back then?"

Ethan frowned slightly, looking a bit helpless at my questioning.

"Of course I did."

He reached out to hold my hand. "Olivia, I know my mother has been putting pressure on you lately. Don't listen to her. Having kids doesn't matter to me. It never has."

I didn't move.

I watched him, feeling something inside me sink into a dark, bottomless abyss.

If I hadn't seen the video, I probably would have teared up at those words.

But now, it was just pathetic.

How could a man tell me kids didn't matter, while simultaneously deciding to keep another woman's baby?

Ethan finally noticed my cold silence. "Olivia, what's wrong with you today?"

I shook my head.

"Nothing."

I got into the car, my movements smooth and completely detached.

Ethan stood there for a second before joining me in the backseat.

On the way back, neither of us spoke.

The car was filled with his usual cedarwood cologne, but there was also a very faint, foreign scent of women's perfume.

I rolled down the window a crack. The freezing wind rushed in, making my eyes water.

Thinking I was cold, Ethan reached over to close it.

I held the button down. "Leave it."

Ethan's hand paused.

"Olivia."

I didn't turn to look at him.

He said softly, "No matter what happens, I will always be here for you."

I stared at the passing neon lights, my heart dead silent.

No, you won't, Ethan.

From the moment you betrayed me, you were already gone.

Since you forgot your vow, I’ll be the one to make sure you keep it.

We will never see each other again.