Chapter 33 Do Not Want to Treat Michael
Later that evening, Bianca was starting to look tired after a day of fun, so Olivia decided to cut their amusement park trip short.
When they got home, they were surprised to see Michael already there.
Michael was sitting on the couch, legs crossed, typing away on his laptop.
He looked every bit the business professional, with his white shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, focused intently on his work.
He didn't go out with Sophia and Aiden? This was unexpected for Olivia.
But she didn't plan on engaging with him.
They had just had an argument earlier in the day, and she had no desire to talk to him. She poured a glass of warm water, intending to give it to Bianca.
As she did so, her mind wandered back to the divorce papers. Had Michael seen them? Why hadn't he responded yet?
Lost in thought, Olivia didn't notice Michael looking up from his laptop to glance at Bianca, who was sitting on the couch.
Bianca noticed and instinctively greeted him, "Daddy..."
Michael nodded slightly and asked, "Where'd you go this afternoon? Did you eat anything?"
Bianca answered honestly, "Went to play... Mommy and godmother... had cake and food..."
Michael responded with a nonchalant "Hmm" and handed her a beautifully wrapped box from beside him. "This is for you. Open it and see if you like it."
Bianca looked at the box hesitantly. It had her favorite pink fox printed on it. Unable to resist, she quickly took the box and started opening it.
Olivia saw this and instinctively wanted to stop her.
She was worried that Aiden might have tampered with it under the guise of giving a gift.
But Bianca was quicker this time. She opened the box to find a beautiful hair clip shaped like a fox, adorned with tiny sparkling diamonds.
Bianca's eyes lit up, and she immediately fell in love with it, holding it carefully and admiring it.
Olivia's expression remained neutral. She wasn't pleased by Michael's gesture.
She knew the tactic of giving a sweet after a slap. Bianca might not understand, but she did. Michael was likely trying to ease his guilt for ignoring Bianca earlier.
With a cold look, Olivia walked over to her daughter and said, "Sweetheart, let's go upstairs for a bath. You sweated a lot at the amusement park and need to get clean."
Bianca, still excited, had no objections. She liked being clean and eagerly raised her arms.
Olivia picked her up and headed upstairs, ignoring Michael's displeased look.
That night, after giving Bianca a bath, Olivia stayed upstairs, not caring about Michael's whereabouts.
The next morning, after getting ready, Olivia took Bianca downstairs for breakfast and saw Michael at the table.
Today, Michael was dressed in all black, a high-quality black shirt paired with a suit, his buttons meticulously fastened, making his already cold demeanor even more imposing.
Olivia hadn't intended to look at him but was drawn to the white flower pinned to his chest. It was from Emily's funeral.
Michael, noticing her gaze, said calmly, "After breakfast, we need to go to the Johnson Mansion for the memorial."
Olivia had nearly forgotten about it, overwhelmed by the recent stress. She felt guilty and didn't refuse Michael's request. She needed to go.
Not being able to attend Emily's funeral was her biggest regret.
Now, with divorce looming, she had to pay her respects one last time.
After breakfast, Olivia changed into black attire and, with Bianca, followed Michael to the Johnson Mansion.
When they arrived, the rest of the Johnson family was already there.
Amelia and Hayden stood at the front, with Chase nearby. Their gazes were indifferent towards Olivia, as were the others.
In the past, Olivia would have been submissive, smiling politely and greeting the elders. But now, she had no interest in that. She only had eyes for Emily's memorial.
Seeing Emily's kind face in the photo brought tears to Olivia's eyes.
Emily had always been so loving and generous, leaving everything to Olivia and Bianca.
Memories of Emily's kindness flooded back, overwhelming Olivia with emotion. She stood before the memorial, unable to hold back her tears.
If only Emily were still here, she and Bianca wouldn't be treated so poorly.
Michael, standing beside her, noticed her emotional state but said nothing, silently paying his respects.
Bianca, seeing her mother cry, worriedly wiped Olivia's tears with her small hands.
Olivia couldn't stop crying, and soon, Bianca was crying too.
After the memorial, Olivia finally calmed down and left with Bianca. Michael followed but stumbled, unable to walk.
Olivia looked at him, puzzled.
Michael, known for his composed demeanor, rarely looked so disheveled.
He frowned, clearly in pain, and said, "My leg... it's acting up."
Olivia instinctively reached out to help, but stopped herself. She had cared too much for him in the past, but now, she forced herself to pull back.
Michael, struggling to stand, had hoped Olivia would help. But she withdrew her hand.
Michael's face darkened. "Olivia, the memorial isn't over. The family is waiting. I need to manage the proceedings. Do you want chaos?"
Olivia hesitated, thinking of Emily's last words to her: "Take care of Michael."
She sighed, helping Michael to a nearby chair.
Michael, sitting down, asked, "How long has it been since you treated my leg? Almost a month?"
His tone softened slightly, "Did you forget?"
Olivia, hearing his change in tone, scoffed, "Mr. Johnson, with how often you're 'busy' and not home, have you forgotten?"
After their marriage, Olivia regularly treated Michael's leg, which occasionally acted up. She never neglected it, despite everything.
But with Sophia back, Michael had forgotten all about her care.
Michael, in pain, urged Olivia, "Don't just stand there. Help me."
Olivia remained unmoved.
Michael, frustrated, asked, "What? You don't want to?"
Olivia met his gaze, "No, I don't. Find someone else."
Michael's eyes flashed with anger. "Olivia!"
He gritted his teeth, clearly in pain.
Bianca, seeing her father in pain, asked, "Daddy... does it hurt?"
Michael, pale and sweating, nodded slightly.
Bianca, concerned, said, "It hurts... needs treatment... to go away..."
She looked at Olivia, "Mommy..."
Olivia, seeing Bianca's concern, felt her heart ache. Bianca still cared for Michael, despite everything.
But Michael's actions had hurt them both.
Olivia clenched her teeth. She didn't want to treat him anymore.
But the butler interrupted, "Mr. Johnson, everyone is waiting. We need to finish the memorial."
Michael acknowledged, "I know."
Olivia looked at Emily's photo, remembering her words.
She sighed, deciding to treat Michael one last time, as a final favor to Emily.
She retrieved her tools and treated Michael, her face emotionless, working quickly and efficiently, ignoring his pain.
When she finished, she silently walked away.