Chapter 6

I put down my fork and knife and asked softly, "Is something wrong?"

"I'm sorry Olivia, it's something at the company..."

He trailed off, looking at me with a somewhat troubled expression.

As if waiting for me to say what he wanted to hear.

"Then you should go, the company matters are important."

He frowned and glanced at his watch, then said, "It's not urgent, I should take you home first."

"It's fine, you go ahead. I was planning to do some shopping with Katie anyway."

Ethan seemed to let out a small sigh of relief.

"Alright then. Make sure to let me know when you get home."

As he said this, he stood up, but then leaned down to place a light kiss on my forehead: "I'll spend the whole weekend with you to make up for it."

I didn't go shopping.

I just wandered aimlessly down the streets alone.

As a child, I was the good girl.

Growing up, I was the model of a refined young lady.

I felt wrapped in layers and layers of thick cocoons.

Suffocating, unable to break free no matter how I struggled.

A string that had been tightly wound in my heart for over twenty years

Was about to snap and choke me.

Suddenly I remembered the message Katie had sent me on SnapChat a few days ago.

Her young boyfriend had taken her racing on his motorcycle.

She said: "Olivia, I've been married for three years, but this is the first time I've felt so free."

"If men can keep mistresses, why should we stay faithful to a rotten cucumber?"

"Olivia, seize the day and live a little."