Even when Hades and I were married, she never held back. She would spark fights between us and fuel the tension.
We’d argued over her countless times. Hades always called me petty and narrow-minded for being annoyed by a young woman. He would even accuse me of being dirty-minded for questioning their “uncle and niece” bond.
He claimed he’d raised Olivia since she was seven, and that she was accustomed to relying on him.
Thinking of that, I gave up trying to convince him to get his leg treated.
He looked at me impatiently and snapped, “You’ve already had your wounds treated, so what are you still doing here? Go home and make some soup for Olivia. She’ll be hungry when she wakes up.
“Make her favorite chicken soup. No peppers. Go easy on the salt—she’s injured, she needs something light.”
I gave him an exasperated look. “Order takeout. I’m injured and exhausted. I’m not going to drag myself home just to cook.”
Hades frowned, about to say something, but Olivia stirred awake. She called out weakly, “Hades.”
He immediately dragged his injured leg to her bedside and exclaimed, “Olivia, you’re finally awake! You nearly scared me to death.
“You’ve been under my care since you were seven. I raised you into a fine young woman. I don’t know what I’d do if something had happened to you today.”
Tears welled up in Olivia’s eyes. “Don’t cry, Hades! I’d never leave you. I swore on my 18th birthday that I’ll stay by your side forever. Even if you don’t understand my feelings, just know I’ll never walk away from you!”
Hades quickly grasped her hand and placed it against his cheek. “I understand! I really do! It’s just that in this life…
“Don’t worry, Olivia! I will never abandon you, and no one can stop me from taking care of you!”
Then he turned to me sharply and ordered, “Cassandra, go home and make chicken soup for Olivia. Why can’t you be more thoughtful and caring like her?”
“Hades!” Olivia called softly.
She reached up and gently covered his mouth with her hand. “How can you speak to Cassandra like that? If she doesn’t want to cook, that’s fine. I’ll go hungry. I don’t want either of you fighting because of me.”
Hades couldn’t bear seeing her look so hurt. His expression darkened as he turned to me and roared, “Cassandra, did you not hear me? If you refuse to cook chicken soup for Olivia, forget about the postponed wedding next week! Think twice! You’ve dreamed of this wedding for five years!”
I would’ve caved instantly had he said that to me in my past life. But this time, I looked at him calmly and replied, “Fine. Then let’s cancel it.”
