1 Five years into their arranged marriage, Olivia and Dodge remained strangers. Their lovemaking was a ritual of politeness. Dodge would kiss her collarbone and murmur, "I'm starting now." He'd undress her slowly, asking, "Is this okay?" As he entered her, his voice grew hoarse: "Tell me to stop if it hurts." The bed rocked violently for hours. Olivia gasped, fingers clutching sheets, before whispering, "I'm sorry... it's been three hours. I can't take more." Dodge froze. "My apologies," he rasped, pulling away with a ragged breath. He pressed a desperate kiss to her forehead before fleeing to the shower. Olivia dressed trembling fingers, covering his marks. She turned on the lamp and pulled out a divorce agreement. Five years. It was time to end this. Everyone in their circle knew the story: the grand merger of the Thorne and Croft empires, sealed by the marriage of their children. Olivia Thorne and Dodge Croft, a model couple, respectful and admired by all. What no one knew was that their hearts belonged to others. Dodge’s heart belonged to his adopted sister, a love forbidden by societal norms. Olivia’s heart belonged to a man who had died five years ago, a love she could never have again. One lost to circumstance, the other to death. On their wedding day, they had confessed everything, agreeing to a five-year contract marriage. It was a shield against family pressure, a business necessity. They would fulfill their duties, nothing more. After five years, they would go their separate ways. Now, five years had passed. It was time. She was waiting for Dodge to emerge from the bathroom to discuss it, but the door suddenly swung open. He strode out, his hair still dripping, and grabbed his car keys. Olivia blinked. “Where are you going so late?” she asked instinctively. Dodge paused, his usually cool voice laced with an uncharacteristic urgency. “Rosie had a nightmare. I have to go be with her. You should get some rest.” Rosie. His adopted sister. His true love. Olivia understood. She never questioned his late-night departures to Rosie’s side, not when Rosie had a car accident, or a fever, or even just cramps. She had adhered strictly to their contract, keeping to her side of the house, never intruding on his time with the woman he loved. But tonight was different. Thinking of the conversation that lay ahead, she had to stop him. “Can you spare five minutes? I have something important to discuss.” Dodge seemed taken aback. “Is it very important?” Olivia paused for a moment before answering softly, “I suppose it is.” He was about to speak when his phone rang. He glanced down. It was Rosie. The moment he answered, her tearful voice came through the line. “Brother, I’m so scared. Are you here yet? I want you to hold me while I sleep…” Dodge’s expression softened instantly. “I’m almost there,” he said, his voice gentle. He hung up and turned back to Olivia, his tone once again polite. “Whatever it is, you can decide. We don’t need to discuss it.” Olivia was momentarily stunned, but then she nodded. She flipped the divorce agreement to the last page and held it out to him. “Then sign this.” Dodge nodded, signed his name without a second glance, and hurried out. As the sound of his car’s engine faded into the distance, Olivia picked up her phone and dialed her lawyer. “The divorce agreement is signed. How long until it’s finalized?” The lawyer’s voice was crisp. “Ms. Thorne, you just need to get through the one-month cooling-off period.” A wave of relief washed over Olivia. After hanging up, she booked a flight to Southshore. There was a reason for Southshore. A few weeks ago, her best friend had spotted a college student in a bar there who bore an uncanny resemblance to Leo. The boy seemed poor, working part-time to make ends meet. Olivia couldn’t bear the thought of someone with Leo’s face suffering like that. Since he needed money and she had plenty, she decided to make him an offer. She sent her friend to negotiate. After a few days of silence, he agreed. The only condition was that he couldn’t leave Southshore; his grandmother was there. Olivia considered it. Her own parents were gone; she had no real family left in this city. So be it. She would move to Southshore. To be able to see that face, so like Leo’s, every day for the rest of her life… surely, that would bring her some measure of happiness. 2 That night, Olivia had a pleasant dream. She woke with a smile still lingering on her lips. The thought of being free from the charade of their respectful marriage, of seeing Leo’s face every day, made her feel light and hopeful. She found herself wishing time would fly, that the cooling-off period would be over in a flash. When she went downstairs, the maid had already prepared breakfast. She had just finished eating and was about to go back upstairs to pack when she heard a commotion at the door. She looked up to see Dodge walking in, followed by Rosie and several bodyguards carrying luggage. Dodge was dressed in a impeccably tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs, giving him an air of cool, aristocratic grace. Rosie, in a white dress, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, clung to his arm with a sweet smile. They looked like a perfect couple, made for each other. Dodge stepped aside to let the bodyguards bring in the luggage, then explained to Olivia, “Rosie’s been having nightmares lately. She only feels safe when I’m around, so I’ve brought her to stay for a while.” He then pulled a small, exquisite box from his pocket and offered it to her. “I had my people bid on this necklace at an auction. Consider it… compensation.” Olivia glanced at the box but didn’t take it. She gently pushed it back. “That’s not necessary. I don’t need compensation. There are plenty of rooms in this house.” Dodge was clearly surprised. “You’re not angry?” Olivia was even more surprised. “Angry about what? In a month, she’ll be moving in for good anyway.” Dodge froze, not understanding her meaning. What did she mean, in a month she’d be moving in for good? Before he could ask, Rosie chimed in, a triumphant, provocative smile on her lips. “Well, thank you then, Ms. Thorne.” She never called Olivia “sister-in-law,” because she never acknowledged her position. Five years ago, when Olivia had first married into the Croft family, Rosie had stormed into their bridal suite with a group of bodyguards and smashed everything to pieces. Her eyes had been red then, like a cornered animal, screaming, “How dare you take my brother from me!” Somehow, Dodge had managed to calm her down, and she hadn’t caused a scene since. Perhaps because, married or not, Dodge’s adoration for Rosie had never wavered. He still took her shopping, soothed her to sleep, and even stayed by her bedside all night when she was sick. He treated his wife, Olivia, as if she were invisible. “Brother, didn’t you say you’d take me to the amusement park after we moved in?” Rosie cooed, shaking Dodge’s arm, her voice dripping with honey. Dodge looked down at her, his eyes so tender they could have melted stone. “Of course. We’ll go in a bit.” He looked up at Olivia, as if about to say something more. But Olivia simply smiled her gentle smile. “You two go on. Just let me know if you’ll be back for dinner, and I’ll have the maids prepare something.” Rosie’s lips curved into a smug smile. “Well, thank you then, Ms. Thorne.” Olivia heard the challenge and triumph in her voice but didn’t react. She just gave a polite nod and went back to her room. She spent the entire day packing. By the time she was finished, it was dark. Dodge and Rosie still weren’t back. Olivia took a shower, changed into her pajamas, and got into bed. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she heard voices outside her door. “Brother, just sleep with me. I’m scared all alone,” Rosie’s voice, pleading and coquettish. “Rosie, my wife is here. It wouldn’t be right,” Dodge’s voice, still gentle, but tinged with weariness. “What’s not right about it? You love me, and I love you. Olivia Thorne is just a placeholder.” Olivia’s fingers curled slightly, but she didn’t move, her eyes still closed, pretending to be asleep. Outside the door, Dodge was silent for a moment before he said in a low voice, “Rosie, I can be as good to you as I’ve always been. My heart is all yours. But anything else… I can’t. I’m still married. If we were to… it would be bad for your reputation. You just need to know that I’ll always love you.” “Then you’re not allowed to touch her tonight,” Rosie said, her tone demanding. Dodge seemed to say something else, but his voice was too low for Olivia to hear. A moment later, the door opened quietly. Dodge came in. His eyes fell on the suitcases by the bed, a look of surprise on his face. “What’s all this?” Olivia was about to tell him the truth, but then she remembered his words: “Whatever it is, you can decide.” He didn’t even know they were getting divorced. Did she really need to tell him she was moving to Southshore? So she lied. “Just clearing out some things for the new season.” Dodge nodded, asked no more questions, and went into the bathroom. When he came out, he was wearing only a towel, water droplets tracing a path down his chest to his chiseled abs. He walked to the bed and leaned down to kiss her. Olivia, startled, instinctively pushed him away. “Didn’t your sister tell you not to touch me?” Dodge froze. “You heard?” Olivia nodded. Dodge was silent for a moment, then changed the subject. “I want you. Is that okay?” 3 Olivia wanted to refuse, but she remembered their pre-nuptial agreement to fulfill their marital duties. Since the divorce wasn't final, she relented with a resigned nod. “Fine.” Dodge leaned in, his kiss more forceful than usual. A soft moan escaped Olivia's lips, her fingers clutching the sheets. For the first time in a long time, Dodge smiled, his voice a low, raspy whisper. "Can't hold back? I'll be gentler." Olivia closed her eyes. "Thank you," she murmured. "You're welcome," he replied, a hint of a smile in his voice, before deepening the kiss. When Olivia awoke, the room was empty. She got up, dressed, and went downstairs to find Dodge gone. Only Rosie was at the dining table, her head bowed over her breakfast. Olivia approached the table and asked politely, "Did you sleep well? Is the breakfast to your liking?" Rosie didn't answer, didn't even look up, as if Olivia were invisible. Olivia sighed inwardly. Compared to Dodge, Rosie was utterly ill-mannered. She said no more, silently taking a seat and starting on her own breakfast. But as she took a bite of toast, a wave of nausea washed over her. She shot up from her chair and rushed to the bathroom, dry-heaving over the sink. When she came out, she found Rosie standing at the door, her face a thunderous mask. Her eyes, sharp as daggers, pierced through Olivia. "Are you pregnant?" she hissed. Olivia was stunned. Before she could explain, Rosie snapped. Her voice was shrill with rage. "I tolerated you marrying him, I even tolerated you sleeping with him, but I will not tolerate you having my brother's child!" She spun around and shouted to the bodyguards at the door, "Hold her down!" Then, to a maid, "Go get the abortion pills!" The maid and bodyguards froze, exchanging terrified glances. No one moved. Rosie's eyes were bloodshot. "Didn't my brother tell you to take good care of me before he left? Now you won't even listen to a word I say? Is this how you take care of me?" The staff, intimidated, finally moved to restrain Olivia. Olivia, finally snapping out of her shock, began to struggle. "You've misunderstood! I'm not pregnant, I just have an upset stomach..." But Rosie was beyond reason. Seeing the maid hadn't returned, she stormed into a room, rummaged through a medicine cabinet, and emerged with a bottle of pills. She marched back to Olivia. "Still trying to deny it? I won't let you have this baby! I absolutely won't!" Her voice was wild. She grabbed Olivia's chin, forcing her mouth open, and shoved the pills down her throat. Olivia shook her head violently, but the pills slid down her throat. A searing pain ripped through her stomach. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and her vision swam. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. She collapsed to the floor, her consciousness fading. When she woke up again, she was in a hospital bed. Through a hazy fog, she heard a doctor's exasperated voice. "Mr. Croft, your wife wasn't even pregnant. How could you let someone force-feed her abortion pills? It's a good thing she was brought in for a stomach pump immediately, otherwise she would have lost half her stomach." 4 Olivia slowly opened her eyes. The doctor was gone. Dodge was sitting by her bed, his brow furrowed, a guilty look in his eyes. Seeing she was awake, he helped her sit up. “I know what happened. I’m so sorry. I never thought Rosie would do something like this.” Olivia’s stomach was still aching, and she barely had the strength to speak. She sighed softly. “Let the police handle it. She’s not a child anymore. She can’t keep acting this way. A few days in jail might do her some good.” She reached for her phone to call the police, but Dodge snatched it from her. “No. Rosie didn’t mean it. Olivia, please, just let this go.” Olivia stared at him. “So, I went through that for nothing?” Dodge was silent for a long moment before he finally said, “I’m sorry. I’ll compensate you. But Rosie… don’t cause trouble for her.” Olivia looked at him and sighed again. “Don’t you think you spoil her too much?” Dodge shook his head. “If the man you loved were still alive, you wouldn’t want him to suffer even the slightest harm, would you?” Olivia was taken aback. After a long pause, she said softly, “I understand. It won’t happen again.” Even though she had decided to let Rosie off the hook, Dodge felt a strange sense of unease. He stared at her face, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. “It’s been so long, and you’re still thinking about him? He’s been dead for years.” Olivia didn’t understand why he was suddenly so agitated. He had always known she loved Leo. She had never interfered with his love for Rosie. Why did he seem so angry about her feelings for Leo now? Before she could answer, Dodge’s phone rang. It was Rosie. After taking the call, he seemed to compose himself, the strange anger from before suppressed. He stood up, once again the polite, distant husband. “Rosie is acting up again. I have to go. I’ll come back to see you when I have time.” As he turned to leave, Olivia couldn’t help but call out to him. “You should tell your sister. She seems very concerned about whether I’ll get pregnant. But I can’t. On the first day we were together, I had my tubes tied.” Dodge stopped dead in his tracks. He spun around, his face a mask of disbelief. “What did you say?!” Olivia was even more surprised by his reaction. In their five years of marriage, he had always been so composed, his face a carefully controlled mask. But today, he had been so uncharacteristically emotional. “I would never have a child with anyone but Leo,” she said. “Surely, you can understand that.” Dodge’s face darkened, as if he were fighting back some powerful emotion. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. You will go and have that procedure reversed. Immediately.” Sensing her reluctance, he added, “It’s a marital duty.” Olivia shook her head. “But we’re in the process of getting a divorce. I no longer have any marital duties to fulfill.” 5 Olivia finally told Dodge the truth, but he didn’t hear it. Just as she was speaking, Rosie called again, demanding his attention. He murmured something soothing into the phone and hurried away. Olivia sighed, but there was no real turmoil in her heart. She was used to this. In Dodge’s world, Rosie was always the top priority. For the next few days, Dodge sent a maid with meals and hired a nurse to care for her. He didn’t appear in person, but his arrangements were thoughtful. The only downside was the constant buzzing of her phone. It was Rosie, sending a barrage of provocative photos: Dodge taking her shopping, buying her jewelry, dining at fancy restaurants. Each photo was accompanied by a caption bragging about his affection. Olivia looked at the photos without a trace of jealousy. She simply forwarded each one to Dodge with a note: “From your sister.” After a long silence, Dodge replied politely: “I’m sorry. I’ll handle it.” Olivia responded: “Okay. Thank you.” She thought their conversation was over, but then another message came through: “Did you have the tubal ligation reversed? Please do it as soon as possible.” Olivia stared at the message, baffled by his sudden obsession with the matter. They were getting divorced. She wasn't going to have his child. Why was he so insistent? She put her phone down and didn't reply. On the day of her discharge, Dodge came to pick her up himself. When Olivia opened the car door, she saw Rosie sitting in the passenger seat. Rosie turned, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Brother and I are going to an auction later. I get carsick, so I’m afraid you'll have to take the back seat, Ms. Thorne." Olivia said nothing, silently getting into the back. As soon as she was in, she heard Dodge’s low voice, directed at Rosie, “Did you forget what I told you before?” Rosie pouted and reluctantly turned to Olivia. “I’m sorry, Ms. Thorne. I was too impulsive before. I’m sorry I put you in the hospital.” Olivia was surprised by the apology. Then she saw Rosie’s swollen lips and Dodge’s weary expression and understood. Dodge, who had always refused to cross that line with Rosie, had kissed her to appease her and make her apologize. Olivia kept this observation to herself, simply nodding. Dodge glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Did you have that procedure reversed?” Olivia didn’t know why he kept asking, but she answered calmly, “Yes.” It was true that she hadn’t wanted children before. But now, things were different. She thought of the young student who looked so much like Leo. A lifetime was a long time. Perhaps having a child who looked like Leo wouldn’t be so bad. Dodge misinterpreted her reason. He nodded, a hint of a smile in his eyes, as if he were pleased. He continued, “I’m taking Rosie to an auction later. Olivia, you should come with us.” Olivia was about to refuse, but then she thought about how long it had been since she’d been out, and she agreed. At the auction, Dodge bought almost everything Rosie pointed at—jewelry, paintings, antiques, each one worth a fortune. People around them whispered, “Mr. Croft is so good to his adopted sister. Better than he is to his own wife.” Hearing this, Dodge turned to Olivia and asked gently, “Is there anything you want? I’ll buy it for you.” Olivia was about to shake her head when she saw the watch being presented on stage. It was a classic men’s watch, simple and elegant. She thought it would look wonderful on Leo. But he could never wear it. But… she could buy it for the student who looked so much like him. She raised her paddle. “Three million.” In that moment, Dodge’s expression shifted. He had been buying things for Rosie all night, and nothing for Olivia. And yet, the one thing she wanted was a watch for him? A complex emotion washed over him, and his gaze on her softened. 6 Seeing the look in Dodge’s eyes, Rosie’s face fell. “Five million!” she declared, raising her own paddle. “Six million!” “Seven million!” The price soared as they went back and forth. Finally, Olivia placed a winning bid that stunned the entire room into silence. Everyone assumed she had bought the watch for Dodge, and they sighed in admiration. “Ms. Thorne is truly devoted to Mr. Croft!” When the watch was brought to her, Dodge draped his jacket over her shoulders and whispered, “Thank you. Why don’t you put it on me?” Olivia froze, about to explain that the watch wasn't for him, but his phone rang. A work emergency. He had to leave immediately, telling the driver to take Olivia and Rosie home. Since she had what she came for, Olivia saw no reason to stay. She turned to leave. As she was getting into the car, she looked back for Rosie, but saw her giving a subtle signal to a bodyguard. A sense of unease washed over her. The next moment, a sharp blow landed on the back of her neck. Darkness. When she woke up, she was in a walk-in freezer. The air was frigid, her hands and feet numb with cold. Rosie stood outside, watching her through the glass door. “Olivia, don’t think a silly little watch will win my brother’s heart. He will only ever love me.” Olivia didn't know how to explain. She was shivering, her voice weak. “You’ve misunderstood. The watch wasn’t for your brother.” Rosie scoffed. “If not for him, then who? You can stay in here and think about it. This is your punishment for desiring my brother.” With that, she smashed the watch on the floor and walked away. “Rosie! Rosie!” Even with her placid temperament, Olivia was furious. Why did Rosie keep targeting her? Dodge must have told her their marriage was just a business arrangement. She had heard him profess his love for Rosie time and time again. If she had known how unstable Rosie was, she never would have agreed to this marriage. The freezer door was sealed shut. Her phone had no signal, its screen coated in a thin layer of ice. The cold was like a thousand tiny needles, piercing her skin, her bones. Just as she felt herself losing consciousness, she heard a loud bang. The freezer door had been kicked open. Dodge was running towards her. When she woke up again, she was in her own bed. Dodge sat beside her, his eyes full of guilt and exhaustion. “I’m sorry. I never thought Rosie would do something like this again.” Olivia, pale and weak, asked softly, “And this time, I can’t hold her accountable either, can I?” Dodge hesitated. “I’ve already punished her.” “What was the punishment?” He hesitated again, his voice strained. “I… made her skip a meal.” Olivia stared at him, stunned. A long moment passed before she said, “I see.” Dodge watched her, his voice probing. “You’re not angry?” “I am,” she said, her voice tired but calm. “But then I think, if Leo made a mistake, I wouldn't have the heart to punish him either. I suppose that’s what love is. You love your sister too much, just as I love Leo too much.” Dodge’s expression changed. He shot to his feet, a storm of emotions in his eyes—anger, and something else, something like loss. Olivia watched him, confused by his strong reaction. She waited for him to speak, but he just stood there, his lips moving, finally managing to force out the words, “Can we not mention him anymore?” 7 Olivia was stunned. “Why?” Dodge’s voice was low, strained. “Because I don’t like it.” She didn’t understand, but she didn’t ask. She just lowered her head and sighed. “Alright. For the next seven days, I won’t mention him.” Dodge frowned. “Why seven days?” “Because in seven days, our marriage will be over.” But her words were drowned out by Rosie, who burst into the room, pouting. “Brother, you’ve coddled her enough. What about me? You punished me for another woman. I’m still hungry.” For once, Dodge sounded angry. “Stop it, Rosie.” Rosie’s eyes welled with tears. “You don’t love me anymore, do you? Fine, I’m leaving!” She ran out, her eyes red. Dodge watched her go, his brow furrowed in frustration. He turned to Olivia. “I’ll go check on her.” Olivia nodded. As she watched them leave, she heard a loud thud from outside. Her heart sank. She got out of bed and rushed out to see Rosie lying on the road, covered in blood. A car was stopped nearby, the driver getting out in a panic. Dodge was kneeling beside Rosie, his face a ghostly white. “Rosie, don’t scare me…” he stammered, then scooped her up and sped towards the hospital. Olivia stood frozen for a moment, then hailed a taxi and followed. Rosie was rushed into surgery. A short while later, a doctor came out, his expression grim. “She’s lost a lot of blood. We need to give her a transfusion, but the blood bank is low. What are we going to do?” Dodge immediately rolled up his sleeve. “Take mine. We have the same blood type.” A nurse led him away. They drew the maximum safe amount, 400cc, but it wasn’t enough. As the nurse was about to stop, Dodge grabbed her hand. “Keep going,” he rasped. “We can’t…” “I said, keep going!” The nurse looked at Olivia in desperation. “Ms. Thorne, please, talk some sense into him. Any more and his own health will be at risk.” Olivia didn’t know what to say. “Dodge, do you love her more than your own life?” His face was cold, his answer immediate. “Yes.” Olivia was silent for a moment, then turned to the nurse. “I can’t convince him. Do as he says.” The nurse, frantic but seeing she had no choice, continued to draw blood. After 1000cc, Dodge was as pale as a sheet, unable to stand. But he refused to leave the surgery waiting area. “I’ll wait here,” Olivia said, afraid he might collapse. “You go rest.” He shook his head, his red-rimmed eyes fixed on the operating room doors. “No. I have to be here.” Olivia said no more, just stood by his side. When the doctor finally came out and announced that Rosie was out of danger, Dodge’s body swayed, and he fainted. 8 Olivia had thought that if she could just get through the next few days, she would be free. But now, with both Dodge and Rosie in the hospital, she found herself caring for both of them. It was exhausting, made worse by Rosie’s constant demands. One moment she was complaining about the porridge and throwing it on Olivia’s hand, the next she was craving a dessert from a bakery across town in the middle of the night. Olivia knew Rosie was doing it on purpose, but with only a few days of their marriage left, she decided to endure it. Dodge, seeing her patience, felt a pang of guilt. “You’ve worked so hard these past few days. I’ll make it up to you. What do you want?” Olivia shook her head. “Nothing, thank you.” But Dodge seemed determined. Once he had recovered a little, he hired a nurse for Rosie and took Olivia out. He took her to an amusement park, a place they had never been in their five years of marriage. He bought her ice cream, rode the Ferris wheel with her, and even took pictures of her on the carousel. They went to a movie, had a candlelit dinner—all the things a normal couple would do. She wanted to tell him she didn’t like these things, that he didn’t have to do them, but seeing him so immersed in the moment, she kept silent. When they returned to the hospital, Rosie was waiting at the door, her face dark. “Did my brother take you on a date?” she demanded. Before Olivia could explain, Rosie’s voice rose hysterically. “Don’t think this means he’s falling for you! I’ll show you, Olivia, that in his heart, I will always come first! No one can compare to me, especially not you!” Olivia was about to say that she already knew this, but Rosie suddenly pressed a cloth to her face. The world went black. When she woke up, she was dangling from a rope over a cliff. The wind howled, and waves crashed against the rocks below. Her wrists were raw from the coarse rope. Next to her, Rosie was also hanging from a rope, a triumphant smile on her face. “I hired an actor to pretend to be a kidnapper. My brother will be here soon. Who do you think he’ll save?” Olivia’s voice was weary. “You.” Rosie scoffed. “At least you know your place.” Olivia didn't know what to say. How could Dodge love someone like Rosie? Soon, Dodge arrived, his face pale with panic. He threw a suitcase of money at the "kidnapper's" feet, but the man sneered. "I'm not here for money. You can only save one. Choose." "I'll save both!" Dodge cried. "Choose now, or they both die," the man said, brandishing a knife. Dodge’s eyes darted between Olivia and Rosie, his face a mask of turmoil. As the man was about to cut the ropes, he finally made his choice. “Save Rosie!” He looked at Olivia, his voice strained. “She just had a car accident, her body is weak, I…” Olivia smiled, her voice calm. “It’s okay. Even if she hadn’t, you would have chosen her.” Dodge’s heart clenched, as if pierced by her words. Before he could speak, the man cut Olivia’s rope. She plunged into the icy sea below. “Olivia!” She woke up in the hospital again, her wrists bandaged, her face ashen. Dodge sat beside her, looking exhausted and guilty. “I’ve investigated. It was Rosie again. I promise, this will be the last time. I’ll make it up to you, Olivia. What do you want? And don’t say nothing.” Olivia looked at him, her eyes like still water. “Go be with Rosie. She must have been scared too.” Dodge’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s the compensation you want?” She nodded. “Yes. The more you’re with her, the less she’ll bother me.” Dodge’s throat felt tight. “Okay,” he said finally. “I’ll go see her, then I’ll come back.” He tucked the blanket around her and left. Olivia watched him go and shook her head. No need. Because today, I’m leaving for good. After Dodge left, Olivia ignored the nurse’s protests, pulled out her IV, and checked out of the hospital. Her flight was at eleven; she had two hours to tie up loose ends. She rushed to the courthouse and got her divorce certificate. Then she went back to the villa and left the certificate, the divorce agreement, and her wedding ring on the coffee table where he would see them. Finally, she picked up her packed luggage, left the key, and walked out of the villa. Standing at the gate, she took one last look at the house she had lived in for five years. “Goodbye, Dodge.” The five years were finally over.
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