Chapter 1A Love That Lingers

The plush mattress dipped slightly under the weight of someone sitting down. The sound of labored breathing beside her told Olivia Brown that Adam Grant was finally home.

Judging by the smell of bourbon on his breath, he must have had a few too many drinks at the corporate gala tonight. Adam was unusually restless—his rough hands were already tugging impatiently at the straps of her silk nightgown.

But for the first time in their five years of marriage, Olivia didn’t give in. She gently pushed his hands away and spoke softly:

"Adam, I’m tired."

Her voice was calm, but firm.

Adam froze for a moment, his breath hitching in surprise. Then, with a low, irritated grunt, he turned over and said nothing more.

In the darkness, Olivia blinked back the tears that welled in her eyes, wiping them away before they could fall. She swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing down the tide of frustration and sadness.

The truth was, Olivia had known from the very beginning that Adam didn’t love her.

Their marriage had never been about love. Years ago, it had been Adam’s grandfather, Jacob Grant, who insisted on the union. Jacob had always been grateful to Olivia’s grandfather, who had saved his life decades ago, and he honored that debt by arranging a marriage between their grandchildren.

Adam was the only son of the wealthy and powerful Grant family—a name that carried weight across the entire Pacific Northwest. Olivia, on the other hand, was no one special. She was just a poor girl from a small town, scraping by on scholarships and part-time jobs to get through college.

She wouldn’t have even finished her degree if the Grant family hadn’t stepped in and sponsored her education. And when the time came, she married Adam without hesitation. Even though she knew he didn’t care for her, she had no regrets.

Not because of the marriage contract, but because she’d fallen in love with him at first sight.

From the moment they got married, Olivia threw herself into being the perfect wife. She learned how to cook Adam’s favorite meals, memorized his schedule, and made sure every detail of his life ran smoothly. She believed, deep down, that if she worked hard enough and loved him long enough, he would eventually love her back.

But after five years of marriage, Adam’s feelings for her remained as cold and distant as ever.

The final blow came just a few weeks ago.

That day, Olivia had been feeling particularly low and decided to distract herself by tidying Adam’s study. While dusting the shelves, she accidentally knocked over a small wooden box that he usually kept locked away.

As the lid creaked open, her breath caught in her throat.

Inside, there were dozens of photographs of Adam and a woman named Hannah Wright—pictures that spanned years, from childhood to adulthood. The most recent one had been taken just last week when Hannah returned to the States.

In the photo, Adam stood close to Hannah, his arm casually draped over her shoulder. His usually stoic expression was replaced with something Olivia had never seen before—softness, warmth, and the faintest hint of a smile.

Hannah, meanwhile, wore a delicate necklace Olivia immediately recognized: The Desert Star.

It was the same necklace Adam had once promised to buy for Olivia as a birthday gift.

That was the moment Olivia realized the truth. Adam wasn’t incapable of love—he just didn’t love her.

It was also the moment Olivia decided she couldn’t keep living like this. She had to leave him.

The next morning, Adam woke up with a pounding headache. He pressed a hand to his temple, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Where’s my hangover cure?"

Olivia froze for a moment before responding. The herbal remedy had been something she’d painstakingly learned to make after consulting with an old family recipe. It required hours of preparation—she used to wake up at 3 a.m. just to make sure it was ready for him in time.

But lately, she had been too busy consulting with attorneys and planning her exit to bother with such things.

"…Oh, I’m sorry," she said quietly. "I forgot."

Adam frowned, the irritation clear on his face. He pulled on his suit jacket, his tone clipped and dismissive as he said, "I won’t be home for dinner tonight. There’s a client meeting."

In the past, Olivia would have fussed over him, gently scolding him to take care of himself and not overwork.

But now, she simply nodded, continuing to eat her breakfast without saying a word.

Adam barely noticed her indifference. To him, these morning exchanges were just a routine—a formality he tolerated out of obligation. He assumed Olivia’s role as his wife meant she was always there, quietly supporting him in the background, no matter what.

Normally, Olivia would have rushed through breakfast so she could help him with his tie, straighten his jacket, and polish his shoes before he left for work. Her own breakfast would go cold on the table, often left uneaten.

She even developed chronic stomach issues from neglecting herself like this. But Adam had never noticed.

Today, though, she took her time. She finished her meal slowly and deliberately, savoring every bite.

She’d made up her mind: she wasn’t going to sacrifice herself for this marriage anymore.

For five years, she had lived in a constant state of anxiety, always trying to win Adam’s approval, always hoping for a love that would never come.

But now, she was done.

It was time to let go of the marriage that had done nothing but drain her of joy.