Chapter 49
The post–divorce life wasn’t as terrible as Olivia had thought. She rested at home for a few days with Everly’s company. Her best friend prepared nutritious meals for her. Her condition improved.
She did not suffer much from the effects of chemo. She could never be as healthy as her pre–cancer days. But at least her fainting spells had decreased.
The wound on her arm healed, and her hair loss was under control. Everything seemed to be working out for her.
Everly was happy for Olivia. They spent a few nights sleeping side by side. She believed that Olivia would eventually emerge stronger from the trauma as she had stopped sleeping by the baby cot.
Seeing that Olivia was in great condition, Everly suggested, “The cla*s president organized a gathering. Let’s attend it together since we’re both free.”
“I…” Olivia wanted to turn down the invitation but was cut off by Everly.
“Our old cla*smates are doing pretty well for themselves. Aren’t you looking for a better neurosurgeon? Who knows? Some of our cla*smates could connect you to people they know.
Everly added, “You always say that you don’t have many days left. That’s more reason not to laze around. It’s good to go out once in a while.”
Everly soon understood Olivia’s worries when she spotted her friend’s troubled expression. Olivia was once the daughter of a wealthy family and a prize student who had a bright future.
Now, Olivia was no longer comparable to their cla*smates. The Fordhams were bankrupt, and she dropped out of medical school.
“You’re just being self–conscious. Look at me–I’m not embarra*sed for dropping out of med school to become the top salesperson. What are you afraid of? You have ten million dollars under your name, so you’re kind of a millionaire. Oh, didn’t that jerk also award you some equity in Miller Group?”
There were a lot of detailed clauses in Olivia’s divorce settlement. Ethan was rather generous in financial compensation.
Although he did not give away half of his wealth, the compensation he provided Olivia was enough for a lifetime and more. She’d be getting millions in annual dividends from her shares in the Miller Group.
On top of that, she was left with some properties to her name. Ethan might have done so to make it up to her or to sever all ties with her, but regardless, he was not stingy in this department.
Olivia finally agreed to attend the gathering after being pestered by Everly.
She realized that Everly was right after reading all the news about Ethan’s upcoming engagement party. Since her days were numbered, she should leave the divorce behind her.
“Alright. I’ll go.”
“That’s more like it. You were the crush of many boys back in school. What if one of them is still into you? Treat yourself better and let loose when you’re still young.”
After some serious thinking, Olivia asked, “Will Payton Ballinger be there?”
“Of course! Well, Payton is a nice guy, but he isn’t easy on the eyes. Wait a minute. Did your standards drop drastically after that painful divorce with that jerk?”
Olivia shook her head. “No. I heard that he took over his father’s business in the funeral industry after graduation, and he’s doing quite well. I thought I should ask him to do his old cla*smate a favor and reserve a good parcel of land for my grave.”
Although Olivia breached the topic calmly, it was clearly upsetting for Everly. “Ugh, can you please not?” Olivia held Everly’s hand and said, “Eve, that’s the reality. You need to accept it. We will eventually die someday.”
It seems Ethan only ever married Olivia to take revenge for what happened to his little sister. While Olivia is plagued by her sickness, he holds her chin and says coldly, “This is what your family owes me.” Now, she has no family and no future.
Her father becomes comatose after a car accident, leaving her with nothing to live for. Thus, she hurls herself from a building. “The life my family owes will now be repaid.” At this, Ethan, who’s usually calm, panics while begging for Olivia to come back as if he’s in a state of frenzy …
