Olivia clutched Danny’s arm, her eyes cold, sharp, filled with a disgust so raw it pierced right through me.
“How much is it? I’ll pay!” she snapped.
“I’m begging you—stop tormenting me and my brother over such petty things. What, does that make you feel powerful? Are you proud of yourself?”
It was as if someone had driven a stake through my chest.
She had always treated me with indifference… but never with this kind of contempt.
Now, it was clear—she hated me.
Suddenly, everything felt meaningless.
Why was I still standing here, still hoping for anything from her?
I gave in.
I didn’t want the dirt.
I didn’t want the past.
And I sure as hell didn’t want her.
Forcing myself upright, I said quietly, “Olivia, I don’t lack money.”
Just as I turned to leave, she grabbed my arm.
Her expression shifted, softening with a strange helplessness.
“You’re just upset today,” she said.
“Go back to your family for a few days. I’ll come pick you up in three.”
I yanked my arm free and left without looking back.
This so-called home we built over the years… I was just a guest passing through.
***
Alex Family Residence…
The wedding drama—I had already explained it all to my parents. They weren’t surprised.
Seeing me come through the door, my mother let out a long sigh of relief.
“Son,” she said, clasping my hands, “thank God. If all this had come out after the wedding… what would you have done?”
She shook her head. “That Olivia’s family… always looking down on us for being in business, calling us vulgar. But look at them—scholars raising such shameless people!”
My father let out a tired breath.
“Let it go,” he said. “Our son’s hurting enough as it is.”
Then he added, “I’ve already told my assistant to pull all investments from the academy. From today onward, our family has nothing more to do with their family.”
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to bring up Emily—until my mom spoke again.
“Oh, by the way—Emily dropped by today. She even brought her dowry.”
She took out a small velvet box from the coffee table drawer.
“That girl doesn’t waste time.”
Inside the box was a pair of ancestral jadeite pendants, smooth and flawless.
Only then did it truly hit me—Emily was serious about the wedding in three days.
That night, my phone buzzed. A message from Danny.
[Brother-in-law, come back.]
[I’m moving out. I’ll convince Olivia to abort the baby.]
[You’ve been with her for five years. I can’t be the reason that falls apart. I’d never forgive myself.]
I stared at the screen and scoffed. If he wanted to put on a show, let him do it for his sister.
Why drag me into it?
I typed two words: [As you wish.] Then I blocked him.
But even after all that, I couldn’t shake the dull ache in my chest.
I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the silent city lights, feeling hollow.
Just then, my phone buzzed again—a video call.
Emily.
Her face filled the screen, radiant and full of mischief.
“Alex” she said, her eyes sparkling, “Give me a heart.”
I blinked. “What? Why are you—what heart?”
She pouted. “I don’t care! I want one now!”
I chuckled despite myself and raised my fingers, forming a heart. Goosebumps prickled up my arms—this was so corny.
She gasped dramatically, clasped her hands over her heart and shut her eyes like she’d been struck by Cupid himself.
Then, peeking one eye open, she gave me a playful wink.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Now,” she whispered, “look out the window. Your return gift.”
The call ended.
And then—The sky outside suddenly lit up.
Hundreds of drones rose into the air, forming glowing hearts… then slowly shifting into a line of shimmering words:
[Alex, Happy Birthday.]
Tears blurred my vision.
The absurdity of today had made me forget my own birthday.
But she remembered.
It was flashy, a little cheesy—but her sincerity? I felt it. I cherished it.
And then I thought of Olivia.
Every year, she scribbled a plain “Happy Birthday” in a notebook. No name. No warmth. Nothing.
Emily, in her lighthearted way, had shown me more love in one night than Olivia ever had in five years.
