Chapter 7
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Neil had dismissed it at the time. Olivia’s gifts had always seemed so simple–hand–knit scarves, photo albums, those little woven bracelets. He’d never really expected anything more. But a wedding dress and a ring? This was a total surprise.
Neil didn’t have time to think further. A sharp pain shot through his stomach, the old problem flaring up again. Years of heavy drinking had taken their toll. Even a little too much alcohol now could trigger this agony.
Olivia decided to become a certified nutritionist to prepare healthier meals for him.
Whenever he came home from a night out, he was greeted by the comforting aroma of a meal she had prepared. She would then serve him some nutritious broth. During the two years they lived together, his stomach troubles had mostly stayed away.
Now, the dull ache in his stomach made Neil’s face pale. He clutched the kitchen counter, his knuckles turning white.
He needed his stomach medicine, but he couldn’t remember where she kept it. Leaning against the wall, he tripped
thud.
on a
step
and fell to the floor with a
Memories of him and Olivia together came flooding back–how she’d cared about him and loved him.
“Neil, why did you drink again? You know your stomach can’t handle it,” she’d say, her voice a mix of worry and frustration.
“Neil, wake up. I made you some food. You need to eat something.”
“Neil, what do you feel like eating this weekend? I can make it for you,” she’d ask, already planning their meals.
“Neil-”
At that moment, for reasons he couldn’t quite grasp, Neil found himself longing to hear Olivia’s voice.
He reached for his phone, planning to send her a message. But the grey exclamation mark on the screen seemed to stab at his eyes and heart. Even the haze of alcohol began to clear a little.
Then he started calling Olivia, over and over, as if he couldn’t bring himself to give up. But no matter how many times he tried, the response was always the same–he couldn’t reach her.
In a fit of frustration, he grabbed his phone and slammed it against the wall. “Fine, Olivia! Since you insist, just get the hell out of my life. I don’t need you
anyway.”
At Kline Manor, the day’s chaos finally caught up with Olivia. She fell asleep quickly, but her sleep was restless. Her dreams were a jumbled mix of memories–Neil saving her years ago, their on–and–off relationship, and the harsh words he’d thrown at her today.
She woke with a start to find her pillow soaked with tears. Her body felt heavy and drained, and her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten a proper meal all day.
She’d been so busy preparing for the proposal, completely forgetting to take care of herself. But from now on, she decided, she wouldn’t let anyone else’s needs overshadow her own.
With that thought, she got out of bed and padded downstairs to the kitchen. She made herself a plate of spaghetti with some seafood–simple but comforting.
As she stirred the pot, she realized how little she’d indulged in her favorite food these past years, all to suit Neil’s tastes. It seemed so paintless now.
‘Why did I ever let him dictate my life?I deserve better than this,‘ she muttered to herself, looking at the plate, ready to enjoy a meal that was just for her.
But there came a familiar voice. “Olivia?”
