Chapter 2

Olivia felt a little lost when she received the address. It was the restaurant she had once taken Jasper to. There was a large floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor with an excellent view. Pushing those thoughts aside, she sped there. Before she parked her car, she spotted them. Jasper was holding a napkin and gently wiping the corner of Sage's mouth. Olivia had never seen him express such tenderness. Emilia, on the other hand, sat in Sage's lap, smiling sweetly. If she didn't know any better, she'd think they were a family of three. So, this was what he meant by having something to attend to. How ironic. Olivia walked right over in their direction. "Mrs. Price." The bodyguard raised his hand hesitantly, but he didn't dare to stop her. Olivia walked past him and entered the restaurant. The entire floor had been booked out. It was unusually quiet, which made Emilia's bright laughter unbearably grating. Olivia thought Jasper would say something when she saw him. Yet, he merely glanced at her and acted as if she didn't exist. "Are you done?" he asked Sage. Emilia noticed Olivia as well. However, she looked uneasy and didn't dare meet her eyes. "Mom found out I lied to her, but I just really wanted to have dinner with Sage. Why did she have to come here? Sage won't be able to finish her meal happily now," Emilia frowned as she thought of that. Children's thoughts were written all over their faces. Olivia could see right through Emilia. Her chest felt tight, but she held herself together. "Get Emilia into the car." The bodyguard instinctively looked at Jasper. He only stepped forward when Jasper nodded. "Ms. Price." Olivia watched as Emilia squeezed Sage's hand reassuringly before turning to her. "Don't be mad, Mom. I wanted to come here." Forcing a smile, Olivia watched silently as Emilia kept looking over her shoulders until she disappeared from her line of sight. Olivia then turned around and raised her hand at Sage. A sharp crack shattered the silence as she put all of her strength into it. Olivia's palm went numb from the impact, while Sage's face swelled in an instant. "Olivia!" Jasper's restrained voice sounded in her ears. If this had been before, Olivia would have backed down; she might have even apologized. Back then, she had been muddle-headed, thinking that if she were as gentle and obedient as Sage, he would look her way. But now, she pretended not to hear him. "I've been too magnanimous to you, haven't I, Sage? I almost forgot how shameless you are. Since you like being the side piece, let me help you learn the ropes. Wouldn't want you unprepared the next time you get slapped!" Olivia felt the knot in her chest loosen as she watched Sage stand there, furious and breathless. "Olivia Young!" Jasper shot to his feet. Olivia was caught off guard when her wrist was abruptly yanked back. His grip was so hard that she thought her bones would shatter. Jasper's livid voice rang in her ears the next moment. "Have you had enough?" Olivia froze. "Jasper, I'm fine. This isn't the first time she's done this," Sage chimed in apathetically. Olivia only came back to her senses after Jasper wrapped his arm around Sage and left. She looked down and realized her wrist was already bruised purple. She tried to massage it, yet as soon as she touched it, a sharp pain shot through her body, causing her to tear up. … Emilia rushed over to Jasper as soon as she saw him get inside the car. "Why did Mom come here, Dad?" Jasper ruffled her hair. His gaze landed on the watch on her wrist. "She probably just happened to be nearby." Emilia pouted. "Oh." Olivia had ruined their dinner. "Where's Sage?" As soon as her words fell, she saw Sage and her swollen cheek. Emilia's heart ached for her. "Did Mom do it?" Sage smiled. "I accidentally bumped into something." Emilia's face hardened. "Mom went too far!" Right after saying that, she yanked off her wristwatch. "I don't want a mom like her!" … It was already dark when Olivia snapped out of it and walked outside. The moment she stepped out of the restaurant, she saw a pink children's watch lying on the ground, broken into pieces. It was the one she had bought for Emilia. The look on Emilia's face when she received it was still fresh in Olivia's mind, yet it gradually overlapped with the guarded, resentful look on her face just moments ago. Olivia bent down and picked up the pieces before letting out a derisive chuckle. The man she had loved for eight years had never had eyes for her. Meanwhile, the child she had given half her life to bring into this world was smiling so brightly in another woman's arms. Olivia's eyes stung. She had laid her heart bare before them, only to have it trampled on time and again. She was exhausted. Last night's dream flashed through her mind yet again. Olivia smiled bitterly. Why should she die for them? They weren't worth it. Olivia made up her mind, tossed the watch into the trash, and drove back to the Price residence. "Oh, you're back, Mrs. Price." Mary couldn't hide the delight in her eyes when she noticed Olivia had returned on her own. Ignoring her, Olivia went upstairs. Because of work, she was rarely home these last two years. So, there was very little in this house that was hers. Olivia packed her belongings, grabbed her bag, and headed out. "Are you leaving, Mrs. Price?" Mary asked. "Give this to Jasper." After asking Mary to pass the agreement to Jasper, Olivia took one last look at the villa, climbed into her car, and drove away. … Jasper and Emilia returned home shortly after 10:00 pm. Emilia got out of the car with a stiff face. She had wanted to stay with Sage that night and didn't want to come back to see Olivia. After all, Olivia had done something terrible, and someone should be there to comfort Sage. Sage, however, had said it wasn't necessary. If Emilia stayed, Olivia would only be more upset. Jasper had said the same thing, that it would only cause more trouble for Sage. Hence, Emilia had no choice but to come back with him. Yet, she still didn't want to see Olivia. "Can you send Mom on another work trip overseas, Dad?" Jasper's brows drew together. "I can do that." These last two years, Olivia had been obedient. She no longer hovered around him like before and never argued with him. This time, he was visibly angry. He wouldn't let Olivia show her face in front of him again anytime soon. After hearing that, Emilia felt a little better and was finally willing to step inside. As soon as she got inside, she looked for Mary. Mary took Emilia's belongings and remembered Olivia's last words before she left. "Mrs. Price left this for you, Mr. Price." Jasper accepted the document and set it aside. "Where is she?" "Mrs. Price has left." He stopped in his tracks halfway up the stairs. "Has she gone back?" "Mrs. Price left in a hurry. It might be work-related." Jasper fell silent. Olivia had always been like this; she'd abandon her work, come back, cause trouble, and leave again. Emilia pouted. She had been planning to ignore Olivia when she saw her. Yet, she had already left. Emilia felt oddly unsettled. That was right! Olivia hadn't apologized to Sage yet. How could she just leave like that? Forget it. Sage probably didn't want to see Olivia again either. Emilia's spirits lifted when she remembered she was going to the amusement park with Sage tomorrow.