And Then There Were Four

Content:

The streets of Atlantic City were bustling with life.

I had been sitting in a caf茅 named "Encounter" for two hours, tucked away in a corner facing the barista station. A young girl in a sky-blue apron, no taller than five feet three inches and probably not a hundred pounds, was busily brewing a variety of drinks. Her fair skin, thin frame, and cheerful smile were infectious. Her thick, black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and her crescent moon-like eyes sparkled with joy.

"Maam, would you like a refill?" she approached with a radiant smile, inquiring politely.

I was lost in thought, captivated by the young girls presence. Fortunately, I too am a woman, or I might have been mistaken for a pervert.

"Sure, another black coffee," I replied with a polite smile, my voice neutral.

Soon, the girl brought me another cup of bitter black coffee. She didnt leave immediately but hesitated, starting to meddle, "Maam, youve had two cups already. While its refreshing, too much can be harmful to your health. How about... coming back for more next time?"

Her kindness and extroverted nature shone through her clear, bell-like voice, pleasant to the ear.

I glanced at the black coffee on the table and picked up my bag, standing up, "Alright, lets settle the bill."

The girl was delighted that I took her advice and quickly went to process the payment. She then informed me, "Maam, your total today is $87. Would you like to pay in cash or with your phone?"

I paid in silence and promptly left the caf茅.

"Madam," Lee greeted me respectfully as I exited, holding the car door open for me.

"Lets go home," I instructed with a faint smile.

The car glided smoothly into motion. I reclined in the back seat, my eyes closed in repose, but my mind kept returning to the young girl from the caf茅, her youthful and radiant face.

Was it her? The girl who, in a years time, would make Ethan to divorce me.

I never expected that my first act after being reborn would be to locate her workplace and observe her like a peeping tom.

I was too curious about the girl who had stolen away the man I had loved for ten years.

In my previous life, I never met her, only managing to find a name and a few photos. Ethan guarded her as if she were a rare treasure, and I was utterly defeated, my rival never once showing her face.

Young, beautiful, pure, kind, cheerful... all these fine adjectives suited her well.

Her only disadvantage was her lack of family background, a stark contrast to Ethans status.

Suddenly, Lee spoke up, "Madam, today is your and Mr. Peis anniversary."

I slowly opened my eyes, dazed for a moment.

Counting up, this year marks the fifth year of my marriage to Ethan. Every year, I would spend the entire day preparing a candlelight dinner and anniversary gifts.

This year, I am 27, and he is 29.

"I know," I rubbed my temples, which ached a bit, "No need to remind me."

Perhaps Lee noticed my difference from previous years, hence the reminder.

But why was I always the one giving? Why did I have to love that man? Before dying in the past life, I pondered this question. For Ethan, I ended up with a miserable ending, losing everything.

Lost in thought, the car pulled up to the doorstep of Ethans and my home, a wedding gift from our parents, a luxurious manor on prime land, sprawling over a thousand square feet.

To my surprise, Ethans car was parked outside today, he was home.

My feelings were mixed. What expression should one have upon seeing the cause of their death after being reborn?

I thought I would hate Ethan, who, for a woman, pushed his wife of five years to the brink, and ruthlessly dealt with his in-laws who had once treated him so kindly. My natal family was completely destroyed by him.

But upon seeing him again, I found that my hatred wasnt as strong as I expected, more a sense of relief.

In the past life, Ethan had given me a chance, offering a peaceful divorce with compensation in the form of a share of the Pei Corporations stocks, enough for a lifetime of extravagance, but I refused. I spent ten years without receiving a shred of his love, while another woman managed to captivate him in just a year, making him an enemy to all.

So I tried every means to win him back, step by step leading to a breakdown, confrontation, and a fight to the death.

Now, these events have yet to unfold. Rather than hate, I want to change that self-inflicted bitter ending.

"What are you standing there for?" Ethan sat in the living room, casually propping his long legs up, the cigarette between his fingertips had burned out, and he skillfully stubbed it into the ashtray, then glanced at me, his gaze as indifferent as ever.

On our wedding day, Ethan made it clear that our relationship was nothing more than a partnership, long-term roommates, and he felt nothing for me.

"Nothing, just didnt expect you to be home," I bent down to change into slippers, Hermes elephant grey slippers, simple in design, steady in color, offering comfort but little else in terms of aesthetics.

I recalled the girl at the caf茅 in the blue apron, a red flower smile pinned on it, unique among the others.

In comparison, my clothes were all expensive and monotonous, the same simplicity, the same dullness.

Suddenly, I despised these slippers, throwing them aside and walking barefoot into the living room.

Ethan, noticing my bare feet, slightly furrowed his brows, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, "Not wearing shoes?"

"No, I didnt feel like it," I sat down opposite him, replying indifferently.

"Quite unusual, whats the trigger?" Ethan actually laughed, asking me in a rare light tone.

Stimulated by your future destined lover, I thought to myself.

I looked down at my white feet, thin and somewhat dry from being so skinny.

Sky Blue was different; she was lean yet had firm and elastic skin, unlike me, all skin and bones.

Five years of lonely marriage had taken a toll on my health, and with little interest in food, I grew thinner and more like a skeleton.

"Ethan," I said.

"Hmm?" Ethan was checking his phone, not lifting his head.

Dressed in a black shirt and trousers of excellent quality, his tall and slender figure and perfect body ratio gave him an undeniable handsomeness. His smooth face and finely chiseled features made him the dream of millions of girls.

I pulled my gaze from my feet and stared at the man across from me, my voice a bit hoarse, "Lets divorce."

As the words left my mouth, I heard Ethans derisive snort.

He threw his phone onto the sofa and looked at me with a familiar, cold gaze, asking, "Olivia Jiang, what trick are you playing at?"