Chapter 155
Chapter 155
The parking area was not far. A few cars were lined neatly under dim lights.
It was Olivia who finally broke the silence. “That was a wonderful evening.”
Ashton nodded in agreement. “Yeah. It was.”
The car she owned came into view ahead, parked on the side. Olivia slowed down while her hand fumbled through her bag, searching for her keys.
After a long search, she found it at last. She turned toward Ashton to bid her goodbye, but he spoke before she could.
“Doc Olivia. I really like you,” he blurted out. He didn't even hesitate “I never liked a woman the way I like you.”
Her hand slowly came out of her bag.
“I-I’m married.”
His expression didn't shift a bit. Of course, he was aware.
“If you weren't married, I would have chased after you.” Although his lips were stretched into a smile, his eyes were tinged with sadness. “I know I can't compete with a man like Clayton Bradford. Maybe I never could. But if I walked away without telling you how I feel, I'd regret it for the rest of my life. So this isn't a confession because I expect something from you. It's a confession because my heart wouldn't let me leave without saying it.”
Olivia bit her lip.
The night wind moved lightly across her face, shifting a loose strand of hair. She tucked it behind her ear without breaking eye contact.
“Ashton…” Olivia gave him an intent look. “You're a good guy. Someday, you'll find the right woman for you.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I just wasn't her.”
He smiled with resignation but said not a word.
Olivia climbed into her car. Once settled in her seat, she sped out of the parking area.
She drove through the night, the darkness stretching endlessly ahead, broken only by passing road lights that brushed across her face and disappeared as quickly as they came.
In her heart, she prayed that someday Ashton would find the right woman for him, someone who would love him in the way he deserved.
—
The house greeted Olivia with silence.
She entered the doorway, keys clutched in her hand. For a fleeting moment, she found herself hoping that her husband would be there to welcome her.
But the house remained still.
Of course, he would still be at the party. She didn't know what time he'd be home. Midnight, maybe. Or dawn. It didn't matter anymore.
She walked upstairs. Once inside the bedroom, she changed into her sleepwear and lay sprawled across the bed.
She stared at the ceiling.
How many nights had she lain here, waiting for Clayton to come home? How many times had she wondered if he ever would?
He had no idea.
He never saw the lonely hours she spent listening for the sound of his car in the driveway. He never knew how often she had fallen asleep in disappointment.
Olivia closed her eyes and waited for sleep to come. If not sleep, then morning. Tomorrow, she will finally hand him the divorce papers.
She woke before her alarm could ring.
Clayton wasn’t beside her.
She didn’t know what time he had come home, but he had been there long enough to leave a sticky note on her nightstand. She reached for it.
I didn’t wake you since I knew you were tired last night. I’ll be out for a while to run an errand. I’ll pick you up at 10. Wear something formal.
That was all it said.
Olivia sighed and turned toward the table calendar. The moment her eyes landed on the date, breath hitched in her throat.
She had almost forgotten.
Today was the anniversary of the day Mr. and Mrs. Hilton had taken her from the orphanage. Also, the same day Caroline had disappeared.
Every year, they marked it at the Bradford family’s hotel resort—a celebration of sorts.
She had almost forgotten this time of the year.
Olivia swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. The floor was cool beneath her feet as she walked toward the bathroom.
She stripped off her clothes and got under the shower. Warm water washed over her, carrying away the remnants of sleep.
She didn’t linger; there was too much to do for her to indulge in a long bath.
When she stepped out, she wrapped herself in a towel and dried her hair.
As soon as she dried her hair, Olivia made a beeline straight to her wardrobe.
Normally, she would have taken her time, debating what outfit to wear, the way she always did before important occasions. But not today.
Today, she already knew what to wear.
Her hand moved to the very bottom of the large wardrobe, where a neatly stored box sat.
She pulled it out. The box felt lighter than she remembered. She placed it on the bed and lifted the lid slowly.
Inside lay an exquisite pastel pink dress, carefully folded, waiting for this moment all along.
The first time she wore it had been shortly after she and Clayton got married.
After that day, she never wore the dress again. Not because she stopped liking it, but because it had become too precious.
Olivia reached out and touched the fabric gently. The dress was still as beautiful as she remembered—maybe even more so now.
Today, she will wear it. For the last time.
Olivia slipped into the dress, and it hugged her body just like it had all those years ago.
Afterward, she applied a subtle touch of makeup, determined to look her best today.
Blinking, she studied her reflection in the mirror, feeling something was missing. Then she knew.
She reached for her luxurious bag, double-checking that the divorce papers were tucked inside.
This dress had witnessed the beginning. It was only fitting that it witnessed the end.
—
Clayton and Olivia emerged from the car. Clayton offered his arm, and she took it. Together they walked up the stone path toward the Pavilion.