an accident with a painting would hijack it.”
As he said this, he shot a withering look at Yasmin and Simon, who stood frozen. Simon smiled sheepishly at the sycophantic relatives who had swarmed around him, then pretended as if nothing had happened and joked around.
“So, Olive’s been seeing this fine and accomplished gentleman all this while! No wonder she turned down all the dates we tried to set her up with.”
“I can’t believe she kept this a secret for so long!”
“What a feat! Olive certainly leveled up! Surely, Mr. Hartman is more distinguished than an artist. With a fiancé like that, why would she need to ruin a five–million–dollar painting just to make a point?”
The relatives who had been putting me down and picking me apart earlier started beaming at me as they lauded me with praise. Yasmin interjected and insisted that there was no need for the manager to retrieve the security
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 4
footage, but Aaron dismissed her.
The employees did not waste time in retrieving the footage Ten minutes later, they played it before the buzzing crowd.
As it turned out, not long after I returned to the lounge, Yasinin had gone to retrieve the painting from the front desk. She then hid in a remote corner, whereupon she fished out a can of black paint and splashed it over the painting.
The crowd grimaced at once, and Yasmin’s parents were horrified. They began to plead with Aaron, but he had alteady called the cops.
Just like that, Yasmin was arrested for damaging expensive artwork.
However, Simon didn’t look the least bit concerned about Yasmin. Instead, he rushed over to me and spread his arms wide open to block my way.
Aaron’s stormy gaze fell on Simon. I gave him an amused look and said, “Wait for me in the car.
Aaron’s brows furrowed. Nevertheless, he did not argue with me and turned to leave. Just before he left, he pulled me close and kissed me as if to mark his territory.
Simon stared at me in puzzlement. “How could someone like you be with Aaron?”
I gave him an odd look. “Why not?”
He scowled. It was as if he couldn’t fathom how I managed to find someone better than him. I sneered at his confusion and pointed out coolly, “I’ve always been down–to–earth and hardworking. I’m good enough for anyone. You’re not as amazing as you think, Simon.”
Save for his award–worthy acting, there was nothing special about him at all.
I turned to leave after that, only for Simon to grab my wrist. His eyes were red at the corners. “I know I’m not extraordinary, Olivia, but you were my wife once. How could you be with someone else?”
I couldn’t understand his logic, but that didn’t stop me from using mine against him. “We’ve been divorced for years, Simon. You divorced me and chose Yasmin in two lifetimes. The only thing you should be doing now is get out of my sight.”
Tears sprang to his eyes as he shook his head vehemently, refusing to let me go. “How did you and Aaron meet?”
The question stumped me. I couldn’t come up with a simple answer.
It seemed that Simon, Yasmin, and I were not the only ones to have been reborn after the accident that killed us in our previous lives.
Aaron had been crossing the road at the time and had been killed, too. When he awakened and found himself transported back to a few years ago, he began to look into the accident. His investigation led him to me.
We hung out and ended up falling for each other. However, was so traumatized by my experience with Simon that it took us six years to finally get engaged.
I pursed my lips, then said icily, “That’s none of your business.”
I spun on my heels and left, but Simon hurried after me. “Olive, do you still love me?”
