The Day I Went Silent Chapter 26
An unknown amount of time passed before Julian slowly drifted awake.
The hospital’s incandescent lights glared above him, and the sharp scent of disinfectant filled his nose.
He moved his arm, waking the person sleeping beside him.
Olivia looked up, staring at him in pleasant surprise: “You’re awake.
I’ll get the doctor for you…”
He yearned for this face so deeply. Dazed, he asked, “Am I in heaven?”
“… What are you talking about?”
Olivia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “This is a hospital. You’re not dead.”
Not dead.
A profound sense of loss washed over Julian.
He knew things were over between him and Olivia. If he had died for her, perhaps she would have remembered him for the rest of her life.
To think even that wish couldn’t come true.
One look at him and Olivia knew exactly what ridiculous thoughts were swirling in his head, making her head throb.
“Julian, stop letting your imagination run wild.”
“If you died, I would definitely have to take care of Oliver. We’d grow sick of each other and live in mutual hatred.”
“If that really happened, I would hate you for the rest of my life.”
Julian was amused by her, his eyes curving into a smile.
Olivia subtly relaxed. He had saved her life, and she’d been terrified he’d try to end it again.
She quickly peeled an apple and placed it in front of Julian: “You survived against the odds, so get some good rest.
I should go. If I stay any longer, Levi and Meilani will get mad.”
“They’re really hard to coax when they’re mad.”
Julian’s smile faded.
He fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Can you forgive me?”
Olivia sighed: “Yes.”
Julian’s eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed again.
He knew what Olivia meant.
After all, he had risked his life to save Olivia. No matter how deep her resentment was, it could be set aside in the face of him saving her life.
She forgave Julian, but it was merely forgiveness.
His Olivia, his wife, would never return to his side again.
“I’m leaving now.”
Olivia stood up, and Julian didn’t try to make her stay.
Back in the city, the weather had grown mild. Soft wind brushed the treetops, carrying the breath of spring.
Olivia walked out of the hospital, staring blankly at the gradually thawing river.
Thinking of the past three years — so much pain, so much struggle — what was it all for?
Time was such a precious thing, yet she had wasted it on a miserable marriage.
She had left herself battered and bruised, only to end up with nothing…
“Olivia.”
“Mommy.”
Hearing those familiar voices, the confusion on Olivia’s face dissipated, melting into a smile.
She ran over and crashed into Levi’s arms like a little cannonball.
Levi was startled, but he still caught her steadily, letting her bury her head in his chest.
Meilani bounced around beside them: “I want a hug too.
I want a hug too.”
At this moment, Olivia was in no mood to pay attention to her. She just said in a muffled voice, “Mr. Carter, I really like you.”
“I like you too, Ms. Sterling.”
“Mr. Carter, I don’t want to have kids in the future.
What if I get unlucky and end up with a child like Oliver?”
“Then we won’t. We already have Meilani.”
“Mr. Carter, I think I’m a bit scared of marriage now. Can we just date forever and never get married?”
“…That won’t do.
I can wait for you to work through your trauma, but we can’t put it off forever.”
Levi frowned and added, “We can get married in California.
California law is very strict. If I ever wrong you, I owe you huge financial compensation.
Even if we divorce, you could walk away with half of my net worth.”
Olivia let out a soft laugh.
As evening approached, the setting sun painted the horizon red.
Olivia thought to herself that she still had a long life ahead of her.
All that had come before was just a prelude.
A lifetime of beauty still awaited her ahead.