Harper stared in disbelief. Was Olivia here to see Joseph at such a late hour?
Joseph, too, was taken aback, his expression shifting.
Then, almost mechanically, he ushered Harper into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Harper stood there, bewildered, as Joseph instructed from outside, "Stay here, and keep quiet."
With a sigh, he opened the front door.
Olivia, in casual attire, looked stunning even without makeup.
She smiled at Joseph, "I thought you weren't home. Glad I didn't come for nothing."
Seeing Joseph's blank expression, Olivia was a little apprehensive. "I hope I'm not intruding," she said tentatively.
"Not at all."
Joseph stepped aside and welcomed her into the living room.
Olivia looked around as she made her way inside.
The house was new. It was her first time here, and all she could see were the black, white, and gray tones, as simple as it could be.
"It's so pristine, almost like no one lives here," she remarked with a smile.
At a glance, she knew that it was a man's solitary residence. .The decoration was simple and everywhere was spotless. There wasn't even a single extra ornament, let alone flowers or grass.
Harper, hidden in the bedroom, couldn't help but scoff. Here she was, in her husband's home, yet it felt like a secret rendezvous.
She wasn't the illicit lover, yet she remained in the shadows, afraid to turn on the lights.
Olivia, oblivious to the situation, noticed no signs that anyone else lived here.
As she entered the living room, a border collie confidently approached her.
"Max?"
Olivia's face lit up as she embraced the dog. "I'm back! Did you miss me?"
Her gaze tender, while her words were actually meant for Joseph, not the dog. Joseph, seemingly unaffected, remained silent.
Soon, Olivia noticed the dog's lack of enthusiasm. He even had no reaction even upon hearing his name.
Joseph interjected, "I renamed him Rocky."
It was a name Harper had chosen.
Olivia's smile faltered momentarily.
The next second, Rocky broke away from Olivia's hand and crossed to her, wobbling and sniffing.
Olivia was a little hurt.
He used to love spending time with her, but now...
She looked at the dog that had been circling and wondered. “What's he looking for?”
It didn't seem like he was searching for food, and Joseph was right there.
Joseph's eyes flickered as he watched the dog linger by the master bedroom. He called it over and offered a toy.
“He's been a bit off since he was sick,” Joseph explained, "Maybe he's feeling unsettled."
"I see." Olivia nodded, then sighed softly.
"I've missed him all these years." What Olivia said was true, she missed the dog but missed Joseph even more.
Joseph handed her a glass of water. "If you miss him, you can take him back for a few days."
Olivia couldn't tell if he was genuinely unaware or just pretending. It felt bittersweet. "During my treatment abroad, there were times I felt I couldn't go on," she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
"But the thought of him, of you, and of the good times we had, kept me going."
Joseph's brow furrowed, and Olivia's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I'm glad I made it through. I was afraid I wouldn't see you again."
Joseph's heart felt heavy. "If anything happens in the future, tell me. Don't face it alone."
Olivia's heart raced.
Only this man could make her feel this way.
Meanwhile, Harper, hidden in the room, found the light seeping through the door too bright, her eyes welling up.
She knew she could never have Joseph's love, and she had long stopped hoping.
But why did her heart still ache?
Olivia, on the other hand, seemed to have a sweet disposition.
After a brief moment, Olivia left, and Joseph saw her off.
The elevator was empty.
Olivia looked at their reflection in the mirror, a well-matched couple, and couldn't help but smile.
Outside, Olivia's car was parked nearby. She glanced at Joseph, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "Shall I go now?"
"Alright." Joseph nodded. "Take care on the way."
He stood under the streetlight, a warm halo enveloping him.
Olivia's heart softened.
She took a few steps, then turned back, gathering her courage. Facing Joseph, she asked the question that had gone unanswered before, "Joseph, let's start over!"
Meanwhile, on the third-floor window, Harper watched the romantic scene unfold, her emotions in turmoil. She didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
She had stayed in the bedroom because she worried that the two might return.
Why did she come to the window to seek this torment?
Surprisingly, she also wanted to hear Joseph's answer.
"Starting over" was a good phrase, and he should like it too, right?
But Joseph, downstairs, remained silent.
He instinctively looked up at the window of their bedroom.
It was pitch black, and he had no idea what Harper was doing.
Joseph averted his gaze and looked at Olivia, who was earnestly waiting for his response.
He didn't know how to reply.
His silence made Olivia's heart tremble.
She bit her lip, closed her eyes, and leaned in, without a second thought...