Chapter 196


    Olivia had known that the marriage between Ethan and Marina was set in stone.


    But knowing and seeing were two entirely different things.


    She stared at Ethan, who walked out of the bedroom.


    Their eyes met.


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    A hint of surprise appeared in Ethan’s eyes. He opened his mouth like he wanted to exin something.


    But nothing came out in the end.


    Chloe said, “Ethan, did you sleep wellst night? If you’re not used to the bed, I can get someone to


    make custom bedding for you two.


    “After all, you’ll be sleeping here regrly after you get married. Treat this like your own home. You can


    let me know if you need anything.”


    Marina also started to y her part as a loving daughter. She said with a smile, “Thanks for being so


    considerate, mom. It was true that we didn’t sleep wellst night.”


    A trace of shyness flickered across her face. It was clear that she was implying something else.


    Olivia finally understood why she was invited over.


    It wasn’t that Chloe missed her. She intentionally called her over to intimidate her and scare her away


    from Ethan by making her see the truth.


    It was so ironic.


    Her biological mother was all smiles when talking to her step–daughter.


    She remembered all of her step–daughter’s preferences. But she couldn’t remember her own


    daughter’s favorite breakfast.


    Maybe her birth was an ident.


    Olivia used to think that there must have been some reason why Chloe mistreated her.


    She thought all mothers loved their daughters. But now she knew that Chloe was not like other


    mothers.


    It was because she didn’t love her. That’s why she couldn’t remember her preferences.


    Marina was the daughter of the man she loved. That’s why she had to find ways to gain her favor.


    Olivia looked at their family of four. She was the only outsider here from the start.


    She realized that Ethan’s betrayal was not the most painful thing.


    The most painful thing was the mother she had been missing for more than ten yearsing back and


    destroying the illusion


    she had of her.


    Before she could recover from that, her mother had hurt her once again.


    She did it repeatedly. It was like she kept cutting into her wound before it could heal.


    Olivia withdrew her gaze from them expressionlessly. She couldn’t stand the sight of these people


    before her.


    “Congrattions to you, Mrs. Carlton. May your wish finallye true. Since you already started a new


    life, don’te looking for me anymore.”


    Olivia turned around decisively and was about to walk away. Chloe anxiously walked up to her and


    grabbed her hand.


    “Liv, you’re mistaken about me. All I am trying to do now is to make peace between you and Marina. As


    Chris said, we’re all family.”


    Olivia said with a cold smile, “I am a Fordham, not a Carlton.”


    “Liv, why are you still as stubborn as before? Why can’t you be more forgiving?”


    Chloe reprimanded Olivia with a stern expression, “You wouldn’t be divorced if you managed your


    marriage properly.


    “But new Ethan is already with Marina. You need to ept this reality. Stop holding on to the past.”


    Olivia was so angry she could feel her stomach starting to hurt. Her head was also throbbing.


    She almost thought that she was hearing things.


    Was that something a real mother would say?


    Olivia clenched her fingers and forced herself to calm down.


    She looked Chloe in the eye and said slowly, “So, from your perspective, I am the one that’s clinging on


    to Ethan? Everything is my fault?”