Seven Years of Love, All for Nothing

Chapter 8

They wanted to bury my father next to Olivia's mother, but I'd already seen that coming. I was waiting for them at the cemetery.

The moment Olivia saw me, her face twisted in pure rage. She lunged at me, eyes wild.

"You! You killed my dad!"

Andrew grabbed her around the waist just in time, holding her back. He looked guilty—probably thinking about my mother—but quickly tried to smooth things over, lying through his teeth.

"We're just here to pay respects..."

I didn't let him finish. I pulled out my phone and shoved it in Olivia's face, showing her the flood of texts Andrew had been sending me.

"Rachel, give me some more time. Once Olivia is better, I'll cut ties with her for good."

"You're the only one I've ever really loved. Please don't give up on me!"

"..."

Olivia glanced at the messages—just two of them—and then back at Andrew. I saw her eyes fill with tears, but they didn't last long. She quickly wiped them away and clung to him even tighter, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"It's okay, Andrew. As long as you're by my side, I don't care what you do."

Andrew hesitated, his hand hovering between pushing Olivia away or holding her even tighter. He glanced at me, unsure of what to do.

I couldn't be bothered to even look at her. I brushed past Andrew, but he quickly stepped in front of me, worried I might snap.

I gave him a cold smile. "Andrew, you want to bury my father next to Olivia's mother, right? How are you going to face my mother in the afterlife if you do that?"

Then I turned to Olivia with a chilling calmness, "You can have this trash."

With that, I walked away without a second glance, not caring if they followed me.

Andrew must've finally found a shred of conscience, because he managed to convince Olivia to change the burial plans.

Before my father's suicide, he'd left a will—80% of his assets were mine, the rest went to Olivia. It wasn't out of guilt; it was his way of trying to make me forgive her.

But Dad, your money was filthy.

I kept the businesses my mother had once run, but everything else? Sold off and donated to charity.

At one point, I considered getting back at Olivia, but then I realized it wasn't worth it. Andrew's weakness was all the proof I needed.

The truth was, Andrew only ever loved one person—himself.

Even if Olivia fought through every obstacle to be with him, in the end, she'd just be another stain he'd ignore.

Death was the fastest escape. Living was the slowest form of torture.

Once I understood that, I made my decision. I left it all behind and went to study abroad in England. I wanted to erase the past completely.

The day I left, I told Mrs. Johnson. She seemed hesitant, but all she said was, "Take care."

She mentioned that, as karmic retribution, Olivia had been diagnosed with cancer.

I smiled faintly, feeling all the bitterness fade like smoke in the wind.

All the misfortune was behind me now. The future was bright.