Chapter 398 If You Don't Go Back, How Can It Be Home?
Sarah snapped back, her eyes were fierce. "Why would I want compliments from a cheater? Oliver, save your sweet talk for someone who cares!"
She yanked her hand away from his grip.
But Oliver held on tight. "Come home with me!"
Home?
Sarah was momentarily stunned, then she looked down and let out a bitter laugh. "You don't even go back there! How could it be a home?"
Their fingers intertwined in the moonlight, much like their fragile relationship — the tighter they clung, the faster it slipped through their grasp like grains of sand.
Sarah broke free from him.
She took a step back, meeting his gaze in the darkness.
Her delicate face glowed under the neon lights, reminiscent of their first date years ago, but now, their feelings were completely different.
Sarah's voice was soft, almost hoarse. "Your money attracts women like moths to a flame, so you naturally assume that as long as you want, women will never leave you, just like Ellie!"
"But Oliver, I'm different!"
"When I was 22-year-old, I might have wanted it, butnow I know I don't. You kept obsessing over whether I loved you, but you never noticed how I smelled another woman's perfume on you six months after our wedding. I tried being the perfect wife, thinking if I pleased you enough you'd stay... God, how naive. A cheating man can't be stopped by kindness."
Sarah took another step back. "Don't follow me! Things between us... are already embarrassing enough."
She walked away into the night.
She walked faster and faster, the cold night wind blowing into her neck. She reached up to tighten her scarf against the chill.
Once, her world was sunny and bright.
Oliver entered her life, bringing storms and chaos, and now he was still demanding love from her.
How ridiculous!
Sarah quickly walked to the parking lot.
She opened a white BMW, bent down, and got in. She didn't start the car immediately; she needed to calm her emotions. Every confrontation with Oliver drained all her energy.
In the golden night.
She leaned back in the seat, her delicate face looking even more precious against the darkness.
She thought about all the things Oliver had done.
She didn't believe in regret—time only moved forward, after all. But when she counted the cost, three years of her life had slipped through her fingers like sand, leaving nothing but the bitter taste of misplaced trust.
After a while, she gently pressed the gas pedal, and the white BMW slowly drove away into the night. As her car passed the spot where they had just been, Oliver was still there, standing by his car, smoking.
The white BMW brushed past him.
He recognized Sarah's car.
Even in a fleeting moment, he saw the hint of moisture in her eyes.
Had she cried?
Oliver's fingers holding the cigarette trembled slightly.
On the weekend, he went to see Jacob.
Claire opened the door, and when she saw Oliver, her mouth dropped open. After a moment, she stammered, "Mrs. Windsor, Mr. Windsor is here? Should I let him in?"
Oliver was exasperated. "I'm not a dog! What do you mean? Claire, don't forget I'm still paying your salary this month."
Claire was confident. "You sure have money! But sorry, Mr. Windsor, Mrs. Windsor said she'll pay me from now on, and it's double what you paid."
Claire held up her hand, showing the amount.
Oliver didn't argue with her.
He came to see Jacob, but mainly he wanted to see Sarah. The more he saw her, the more feelings would grow. If he stayed around her, eventually, she would soften.
But Sarah didn't give him the chance.
She stayed in the bedroom and didn't come out, only letting Jacob see him. Oliver held Jacob, half-heartedly listening to him talk.
Jacob rubbed Oliver's face. "Mommy is sleeping with Nicole."
Oliver forced a smile.
Even a child could see his intentions. How could Sarah not know?
She just didn't want to see him.
Claire, though harsh, had a soft heart. She brought him a bowl of pasta, muttering, "Next time, call ahead. Mrs. Windsor can go out and avoid you. Being cooped up in the bedroom all day is stifling."
He tried to win her over. But Sarah never accepted his gestures.
At Christmas, he personally drove over, bringing a pile of gifts and inviting her, Claire, and the kids to spend Christmas together. He said, "Sarah, we're still married! We should spend Christmas together as a family."
Sarah still didn't see him, sending Claire to relay the message.
Claire, blunt as ever, said, "Mrs. Windsor says being separated means you're not a couple! Besides, Mrs. Windsor has already filed for divorce. Living together would be ridiculous!"
She deliberately insulted him. "Mr. Windsor, don't you have another home? I'm sure Ms. Johnson is waiting for you! If you go to her, she'll surely welcome you back with open arms for a joyful Christmas."
Oliver's gaze deepened.
After a long pause, he spoke softly, "It's over between Ellie and me."
Claire nodded in agreement. "Of course! Why give up all the beautiful young women out there for one person? Ms. Johnson is old and faded... not worth it!"
Oliver was infuriated.
He didn't get to spend Christmas with Sarah. After Christmas, he received divorce papers from her, filled with numbers that gave him a headache.
But he couldn't bring himself to be angry with Sarah. He wanted to win her over.
During this time, he revolved around her.
After work, he would wait for her at the gallery, even if it was just to catch a glimpse of her from afar. He followed her car back to the apartment, and when she went upstairs, he sat in his car, smoking silently.
Sometimes, he even slept in the car for the night.
He tried to win her over for a month, more earnestly than when he first pursued her, but Sarah completely ignored him. She treated him like air.
One afternoon, Oliver attended a business event and habitually had the driver bring the car around.
Zoey was also in the car. She watched Oliver, performing his act of affection.
Oliver leaned back in the leather seat, loosening his tie slightly. He dialed Sarah's number, and she surprisingly answered. He spoke gently, "I just came from Sweet Dream Workshop. You used to love their desserts. I brought some for you... can I bring them in?"
Sarah listened patiently. She replied coldly, "That was in the past. I don't like sweets anymore. And Oliver, can we be normal? We're getting divorced. There's no need for these ridiculous acts of affection. It only makes me despise you more."
Sarah hung up immediately.
Oliver was dazed for a long time.
Despise him?
She always said he forgot the past, but she also forgot they had good times too. In those intimate moments, how could he not have given any real feelings?
When she loved him, her eyes were full of him.
When she didn't, she said, "I despise you..."
Oliver was hurt. After a long time, he slowly put down his phone and instructed the driver, "Take me back to the office."
But out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar figure.
It was...