“Him? Saying 'break up' now is just a bluff. Once the child is born, he’ll come crawling back, begging to help raise it. Guys like him—sons of businessmen—only care about profit. Dignity? He doesn't even know the word.”
Olivia laughed scornfully.
“Have you forgotten how desperate he was to be my boyfriend? That smug, arrogant face of his—ugh, I feel sick just thinking about it.”
My tears rolled down in silence. So that moment—my sincere, trembling confession—had disgusted her for years.
Olivia’s family is the most prestigious artist in Oxford, and Olivia, the youngest calligraphy master, its proudest gem.
Five years ago, she approached my father for investment in the academy with her calligraphy portfolio.
My dad was so impressed, he introduced her to me.
I fell for her at first sight.
I insisted on learning calligraphy from her, using every excuse to get close.
She snapped at me. “Stupid. No talent!”
I grinned and joked, “Then be my girlfriend. That way, we’re a perfect match.”
She looked at Danny, who was bent over writing silently.
Then, all of a sudden, she grabbed my hand, smiled bitterly and said, “Okay.”
I was ecstatic. I hugged her, clueless to the way Danny suddenly stormed out, or how her body went stiff in my arms.
Only now do I realize—she never truly had me in her heart. It was always Danny.
No wonder she never taught me how to write, never let me into her study.
My chest ached. I wanted to turn and leave, but then I remembered—the wedding quilt. My mother’s quilt couldn't be thrown away.
“Alex!” Olivia snapped suddenly, turning her head and curling her lips into a mocking sneer.
“What are you doing, lurking at the door? Regretting it now? After I threw all your junk out?”
I clenched my fists. “Where’s the wedding quilt? Give it back.”
She froze for a moment. Her face darkened. “It’s just a stupid blanket. Why should I care?”
“That quilt was sewn by my mother.” My voice trembled.
“Just give it back. I’ll leave immediately.”
Her brows knit together as she looked at me like I was insane.
“You’re crying? Over that? What’s wrong with you?”
“It matters!” I shouted. The tears I’d been holding back finally fell.
Olivia groaned in frustration, rubbing her temple, clearly trying to come up with a response.
Just then, Danny suddenly chimed in, as if a lightbulb went off in his head.
“Brother-in-law, don’t yell at Olivia,” he said hurriedly. “I had the maid move your things into the guest room.”
As he spoke, his fingers gently caressed Olivia’s belly. His eyes turned red.
“Brother-in-law… if this is because of the child… I–I’ll ask Olivia to abort him. He was a mistake anyway. No one wants him...”
He broke down before he could finish.
“I won’t allow it!” Olivia’s voice shattered the air. She trembled violently and leaned into Danny’s arms, glaring at me with fury.
“You can leave. Leave as far as you want—but don’t you dare lay a hand on my child! You two are all I have left!”
“Alex, if this is why you came here—then get the hell out!”
I laughed coldly and turned without a word, walking to the guest room.
There, the wedding quilt lay crumpled on the floor, stained and covered in cigarette butts.
The embroidered dragons and phoenixes were blackened, filthy.
I pointed at it with trembling fingers. “Danny, explain.”
He shrank back, guilt all over his face.
“I didn’t mean to… I thought it was just garbage.”
He bent down. “Don’t be mad, brother-in-law. I’ll clean it up for you.”
But just as he reached out, Olivia lunged over and shoved me hard.
“Don’t touch it! Don’t get your hands dirty!” she screamed.
My head slammed into the bed frame.
White-hot pain exploded through my skull and warm liquid trickled down the side of my face.
I didn’t make a sound. I simply looked up at Olivia and smiled, wondering…
Did she even have a heart?
