Chapter 9
“Olivia, why do you keep pushing me away?” Ethan's voice was low, almost a whisper.
I quickly pulled my hand back, as if his touch burned. “Ethan… you’re the future head of the Pei Group. And I’m just… a divorced single mother.”
The silence between us grew heavy, taut with words unspoken.
Suddenly, he stood. The screech of his chair against the floor sliced through the tension.
“So that’s what you think of me?” His voice was tight. “That I’m shallow enough to care only about status?”
I opened my mouth to respond—but nothing came out. A flicker of hurt crossed his face. He didn’t wait for an answer.
“Nathan has already signed the divorce papers,” he said flatly.
“You have full custody of Lily. All joint assets are yours. You won’t have to worry about anything again.”
After that night, Ethan became a ghost in his own home. He left early, returned late, and the warmth he once offered was replaced by polite, distant small talk. I found myself wandering through the grand halls of the Pei mansion, feeling like something vital had gone missing.
Then, one evening, Lily burst into my room—her face streaked with tears.
“Mommy, did you fight with Ethan? I heard the butler say he’s going back to America!”
I froze. The words hit like a blow to the chest. I sprang to my feet and rushed outside, determined to find him—but instead ran straight into the last person I wanted to see.
“Olivia!” Nathan stepped out of a black sedan parked nearby. In the two weeks since I’d last seen him, he looked disheveled and hollow. His eyes were bloodshot.
“I knew you still cared,” he said with a bitter smile. “That Ethan kid can’t be trusted—he’s leaving you. You came looking for me, didn’t you?”
I took a step back. “Where’s Lily? Let’s take her home. Together.” Before I could respond, he lunged forward and grabbed my wrist.
“Let’s remarry, Olivia! Lily needs a father. I swear I’ll treat you right this time.” The reek of alcohol on his breath made my stomach turn. I tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. Then, a piercing shriek cut through the chaos.
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Wendy stumbled out of the crowd, her hair wild, makeup smeared.
She pointed a trembling finger at me.
“Well, well! Olivia! Living with Ethan and seducing Nathan at the same time? You’re shameless!”
Phones whipped out. The crowd began to circle us.
“She looks so innocent, but she’s really a two-timer!”
“Another homewrecker. I heard the guy she’s with is a CEO—she’s probably after his money.”
“That poor woman and her kids… she looks so heartbroken.”
Nathan yanked his hand away like I’d burned him.
Wendy immediately collapsed into his arms, crying theatrically.
“Nathan, you can’t leave me and our two children! Olivia doesn’t even love you!”
The word children echoed in the crowd like a trigger. Accusations flew faster. The judgment in their eyes pierced deeper than any insult.
I had barely processed Wendy’s lies or the crowd’s outrage when my body gave in to the stress. A sharp pain exploded in my chest—and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The crowd parted like water as a cold, commanding voice rang out.
Ethan strode through the mass of onlookers, eyes blazing with fury.
When he saw me—pale and trembling—something in him snapped.
Wendy immediately dropped the act and fluttered toward him, her voice syrupy sweet.
“Young Master Pei, you’re finally here! Olivia’s been two-timing you with her ex, and—”
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