I Thought You Loved Me Until I Died

Chapter5

Olivia’s POV

I looked up and saw my mother standing at the doorway. Behind her were my father, Lucas, and Evelyn. My father was carrying Evelyn’s luggage, while Lucas held an enormous birthday cake decorated with delicate cream flowers and glittering candles.

The moment my mother noticed the shattered photo album scattered across the floor, her face darkened. She strode toward me, fury blazing in her eyes.

“I knew it,” she snapped. “You didn’t come back with good intentions. Your little scheme didn’t work, so now you’re smashing things? You even broke the family photo!”

My father immediately chimed in, his voice cold and accusing. “You knew today was Evelyn’s birthday. And yet you deliberately broke the frame to ruin everyone’s mood.”

Evelyn’s eyes quickly filled with tears. She walked over, her steps hesitant and fragile, staring at the fragments of photos on the floor as if her heart had shattered with them.

“This… this is the only family photo we have…” she said softly, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry… It’s all my fault. Olivia must be angry because of me.”

Lucas stepped beside her at once, gently supporting her shoulders. His gaze shifted to me, sharp and full of disgust. “You knew it was her birthday, and you still chose to upset her.”

Soon, everyone gathered around Evelyn, comforting her, soothing her, speaking over one another. Their voices blended into a warm circle I was never part of.

I stood awkwardly at the edge, my stomach burning as if acid was eating through it. Quietly, I crouched down and began picking up the broken photos, one by one. Smiling faces stared back at me from the torn edges—faces that had never truly looked at me.

I was about to leave when my mother’s voice stopped me.

“Olivia.” She crossed her arms. “Today is Evelyn’s birthday. You’ve caused trouble for her again and again. This time, you need to make it up to her. If you do, we’ll forgive you.”

My father nodded in agreement from the side.

I lowered my eyes.

I’m dying anyway, I thought.

If doing something for Evelyn before I die can make them happy… then I won’t have any regrets.

Suppressing the nausea twisting in my chest, I forced a faint smile. “I… I know Evelyn likes the pizza I make. I’ll make another one for her.”

Evelyn’s face lit up immediately, tears still clinging to her lashes. “Really? Thank you, Olivia! Being accepted by you… that’s the best birthday gift I could ask for.”

My parents exchanged approving glances.

“That’s more like it,” my mother said.

“Finally acting sensible,” my father added.

Lucas looked at me, his tone indifferent. “If you had been like this earlier, things would’ve been much better.”

I said nothing.

Silently, I turned and walked into the kitchen.

I knew Evelyn loved seafood, so I decided to make a seafood pizza. I began preparing the ingredients, washing shrimp, slicing squid, kneading dough. From the living room came bursts of laughter, the clinking of plates, and cheerful birthday chatter.

I glanced at my reflection in the kitchen mirror. My face was pale, almost translucent, lips drained of color. Yet somehow… I was smiling.

Two days.

In two days, I would be gone.

Strangely, I didn’t feel sad. There was nothing left in this world tying me down anymore.

I kept working alone in the kitchen. The air was thick with flour, and the fine powder clung to my throat. My already weak body struggled to keep up. A wave of dizziness hit me, and I began coughing—violent, uncontrollable coughs that shook my entire chest.

I staggered, nearly losing my balance.

Suddenly, a strong arm caught me from behind, steadying my body before I could fall.

I turned.

Lucas.

I froze for a moment, my body stiff where I stood. Lucas steadied me until I regained my balance, his hand still lightly gripping my arm.

“Are you feeling unwell?” he asked, his voice lower than usual.

I didn’t answer. I simply turned back to the counter and continued working on the pizza, kneading the dough as if nothing had happened.

A trace of guilt flickered across his face. He hesitated, then spoke again, more carefully this time.

“What I said at the hospital… I was angry,” he admitted. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I hoped you’d treat Evelyn better.”

I kept my eyes on the dough, pressing it flat, spreading the sauce.

“Don’t worry,” he continued. “In two days, it’s your birthday. I’ll hold the ceremony then. I’ll claim you as my mate.”

I froze, momentarily stunned that he had even remembered my birthday. But before the feeling could settle, a cold laugh slipped from my lips, sharp and uncontrollable. I said nothing in response.

Inside, I was unnervingly calm.

In two days, I wouldn’t even exist in this world anymore.

This had once been my greatest dream—to become his mate, to stand beside him, to be acknowledged. But now… there was no anticipation left. No longing. No pain. Just emptiness.

The awkward silence between us was suddenly broken by my mother’s voice from the living room.

“Lucas? What are you doing in there? Evelyn’s about to blow out the candles. We’re waiting for you.”

My father’s voice followed, firm and impatient. “You don’t need to help her. She offered to make the pizza herself. It’s her responsibility.”

Then Evelyn’s soft, sweet voice cut in, trembling slightly. “Mom… Dad… my chest suddenly hurts a little…”

Lucas’s expression changed instantly. He turned and rushed out without hesitation. His movement was so fast, so forceful, that his shoulder knocked hard into me as he passed.

My back slammed against the wall.

A sharp pain shot through my body, and I cried out involuntarily. The impact made a loud thud that echoed through the house.

In the living room, chairs scraped against the floor. My father stood up and strode toward the kitchen.

For a moment, I thought… he came to check on me.

Instead, his face darkened with irritation. “What’s wrong with you now? We were just praising you, and you’re back to your old tricks? Evelyn isn’t feeling well and you’re already putting on a show?”

My mother frowned, her voice full of disgust. “Ignore her. I’ve always said I only have one daughter. Evelyn.”

Across the room, Lucas was kneeling beside Evelyn, gently rubbing her back, asking if she could breathe properly. Yet his eyes flicked toward me for a second—filled not with concern, but with weary helplessness.

Evelyn clutched her chest, her voice fragile. “I’m okay… really. Olivia is more important. Mom, Dad, you should check on her.”

My parents snorted.

“How fake,” my father muttered.

“Acting again,” my mother added coldly.

I smiled faintly, saying nothing, my breath heavy and uneven. Forcing my trembling hands to steady, I returned to the counter and finished making the pizza.

When I finally slid it out of the oven, the rich aroma of melted cheese and seafood filled the kitchen. For a brief moment, it made me happy.

This… would be the last thing I could do for them.

After this, I would be free.

I carried the pizza into the living room.

Evelyn stood in the center, wearing a princess dress my mother had just bought for her, laughing brightly. My father crouched nearby, taking photos nonstop. Lucas sat by the piano, playing a cheerful birthday tune just for her.

The scene was warm, perfect… and I was completely out of place.

I set the pizza down quietly on the table.

No one even looked up.

No one noticed I was there.

My hands felt weak. My vision blurred slightly. I turned and walked slowly toward my room.

By the time I reached my bed, exhaustion crashed over me like a wave. I lay down, my body aching, eyelids growing heavy.

Just as I was about to fall asleep—

Bang!

The door was kicked open so violently it slammed against the wall.

My father stormed in, his face twisted with rage.

“What did you put in Evelyn’s pizza?!” he roared.