Chapter 2

For the next few days, Olivia didn't come home, and I didn't ask about her whereabouts. I quietly contacted my friends to retrieve the wedding invitations I had sent out earlier.

When we first planned the wedding, she said she didn't like fuss, so we hadn't prepared for a big ceremony. We had only invited a few close friends.

My friends were surprised when I suddenly told them the wedding was canceled and asked for the invitations back. "Why the sudden cancellation? Wasn't your relationship always stable?"

Hearing their questions, I felt only bitterness.

Stable relationship? Was it stable that I chased after Olivia while she remained cold towards me?

I suppose that was indeed stable.

In this relationship, the only stable thing was my love, never hers.

She was always like a distant goddess, coldly watching as I fell hopelessly in love with her. But now, I no longer wanted to love her.

In the end, I decided to be honest: "The bride has changed."

This statement didn't elicit much shock, mostly just playful banter among friends. Clearly, no one took my words seriously.

But thinking about it, it made sense. I had loved Olivia so deeply before, never minding her cold demeanor. If someone else who had done all this suddenly said they didn't want to get married, I wouldn't believe it either.

It didn't matter. I would prove to everyone with actions that this time, I had truly given up.

After retrieving all the invitations, I returned home. Not long after, Olivia finally came back. Her usually pristine white shirt was wrinkled, her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked exhausted. I could tell at a glance that she wasn't in a good state.

When she saw me, her first words echoed my thoughts: "Cancel all the wedding invitations we sent out. My mentor has passed away, and I need at least six months to mourn. We can't have the wedding during this time."

As she spoke, Olivia expected me to argue or fight with her. After all, I had been the one pushing for marriage, and she knew my grandfather had been waiting for me to get married. So she thought I would be anxious too.

She had even prepared her arguments, but I just remained calm.

"I understand. My condolences."

Olivia felt a slight shock, vaguely realizing that ever since that night, I seemed to have become a different person.

Although my attitude towards her was strange, she didn't have the energy to dwell on it now. She rubbed her tired brow and spoke again.

"The professor's memorial service is today. He mentioned you in his last moments. I'd like you to come with me to pay your respects."

I didn't like Adam, but I had no issues with the kind Professor Wilson. Moreover, he probably never imagined that his son would do something like asking someone to have a child just to fulfill his wish.

Out of respect for the deceased, I nodded and agreed.

After Olivia freshened up and changed clothes, she took me to attend Professor Wilson's funeral.

As soon as we arrived, we heard a tearful voice, "Olivia..."

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Adam, dressed in black, collapsing to the ground with tears streaming down his face.

"Adam!" Olivia exclaimed in shock, rushing over in three quick strides.

She gently cradled him in her arms and, without looking up, said to me, "You go pay your respects first. I'll stay here with him."

Watching her tender, caring, and worried expression, anyone who didn't know better might think Adam was her boyfriend.

In the past, seeing them so intimate would have made me cause a scene. But now, I just glanced at them once, said nothing, and turned to walk towards the main hall.

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