7
<
The trial ended.
Olivia’s reputation was ruined. She was
sentenced to five years for multiple crimes.
Others involved were also convicted.
Ethan wasn’t charged, but he lost his job and
was vilified online. I was hailed as the “most
beautiful wronged wife.”
After Olivia’s conviction, Ethan became my
persistent shadow..
His parents cut ties with him.
He kept trying to apologize, no matter how
many times I blocked him.
The day before I left for overseas studies, the
buyer of my old house contacted me. Ethan
was sitting outside his house, refusing to
leave.
I had to go see him.
He was filthy, gaunt, with dark circles under
his eyes, his hair and beard oily and unkempt.
Seeing me, his eyes reddened. He stood there
L
awkwardly, like a child who’d done wrong.
“Claire…”
His voice was hoarse. His mother said he’d
been kicked out, became infamous online,
and someone drugged him, ruining his voice.
I remained impassive, just as I was now.
“Don’t stay here, you’re bothering people.”
He cried, sobbing,
“I’m sorry… honey, I’m so sorry. But why did
you sell the house? It’s full of our beautiful
memories…”
I smiled coldly.
Ethan froze, expectation in his eyes, only to
hear me say,
“Beautiful memories for you, but for me, it’s
a reminder of everything you did to me for
Olivia. It feels like hell.”
Ethan was struck dumb, his tall frame
slumped. He’d lost all hope.
I sighed, losing my patience.
“Please, just leave me alone. I truly despise
you.’
That was his death sentence.
