Even After Death

Not even a book could enumerate the number of awful things Ethan had done to Olivia.

It pained David so much to hear those stories happening to his daughter.

It wasn't something to be brushed off with one word.

Just how did she get through those nights all alone? David couldn't forgive Ethan.

The way David looked at Ethan was no different from looking at an enemy.

"Calm down, Dad.You need rest," Olivia cooed.

He patted his chest.

"Olivia, no matter what happens to our family, I'll never allow you to be with this man again." He glared at Ethan.

"What are you looking at? Get out! You're not welcome here! You bullied my daughter because she didn't have a family, so stay away from her in the future! I'll be glad to look after her myself forever."

"Sir, I know that everything was my fault.Nothing can be done to atone for my sin.Nothing.I just want to apologize and make up for what I did."

"Save it.You shouldn't have done it if you knew that it was wrong.I don't care if you're being genuine or fake, I don't give a rat's ass about your apology!"

“Sir."

"Don't call me.I don't know you."

"Mr.Fordham, Liv and I have four kids together—two sons and two daughters.Even if it's for their sake, please—"

The mention of the children angered David more.

"Bastard! How could you choose to save someone else instead of your wife when she was pushed into the sea? She even had a preterm delivery! She barely survived it! And yet you passed the baby to someone else? "How could you sacrifice a mother's love for a child just to repay your personal debt!"

His voice broke, and he almost cried. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"I'm a father myself too.I understand the pain very well when my daughter passed on."

It felt no different from having his world crumbling.

It was as if someone dug his heart out of his chest.

The unfathomable pain was hell.

If a father like him felt that way, it must've been worse for Olivia, who was a mother.

It broke David's heart to hear that.

It wasn't something that could be forgiven with an apology.

If it weren't for those children, David might've slaughtered and chopped Ethan into pieces.

Ethan placed the presents down before kneeling next to the bed.

"Sir, I can't kill myself and leave Liv and the kids behind.I know that I was wrong.You can punish me however you wish.I sincerely regret what I did."

David wasn't buying it.

"If you want to kneel, do it somewhere else.Don't be such an eyesore."

"Yes, sir."

Ethan headed outside.

The yard was decorated with plants.

There was also a pavement along the route.

Bending his knees, he knelt there without hesitation.

Olivia, who was standing nearby, sighed lightly.

"Why are you torturing yourself?"

“Liv, were you hurt this much back then?"

He gazed at her gently.

When the Fordham family was announced bankrupt, she went on her knees to beg for his help.

But how did he respond to that? She looked up at the moon.

“Yup, very much."

It didn't hurt physically, but her heart ached.