My mother declared that the Smith family had no such shameless son, and that she was cutting ties with me.
After enduring endless ridicule and curses, I ordered a milk tea and stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the tidal wave of hatred crash down on me.
It was then that Olivia knocked on my office door.
Her tone was calm, her expression gentle, but in her eyes was the same condescension I had seen so often in Eric’s.
“I didn’t want it to come to this. But I can’t just stand by and let them drive Eric to his death.”
“You’re his older brother. You should know his temper best.”
“A boy who’s been pampered his whole life, never suffered even the slightest setback—he can’t possibly withstand this kind of cyberbullying.”
“This time, consider it a debt I owe you. Once things calm down, I’ll find a way to make it up to you.”
Those words.
The ones I’d heard from my parents my entire life.
Now, they came from Olivia’s mouth.
I laughed coldly.
Calmly, I poured the unfinished milk tea over her face.
“No need. There is no ‘after’ for us.”
I called my lawyer and asked him to meet me at home to discuss strategy.
But when I opened my front door, I found Eric sitting there smugly.
He pressed a cigarette butt into my wedding photo and smirked.
“What’s wrong? Not smiling now? You looked so proud in that wedding photo. Why can’t you laugh anymore?”
“Daniel, you’re a real fool. You actually thought stealing Olivia would put you above me?”
“Did you forget? Ever since we were kids, if I wanted something, I always got it.”
I frowned, cutting him off.
“Do you even like Olivia?”
Eric shrugged, utterly indifferent.
“Like or dislike—what does it matter? If it’s something you care about, I can’t resist the urge to take it. To ruin it.”
“I love watching you get angry and miserable, knowing there’s nothing you can do.”
