Chapter 432: Goodbye
Olivia packed the last box of clothing and finally slumped into the couch of the living room. Her eyes scanned the now empty shelves that had stored her mother’s precious belongings. She’d loved to collect those little sculptures but looking at them, reminded Olivia of all the fun times they’d shared choosing them on their travels. She sighed. It was better to pack them and put them in storage than let them sit somewhere to collect dust. Maybe someday when she settled and bought a house of her own, she would put them on the shelves again... and not feel so broken about it.
"It’s done," she murmured, her voice tinged with exhaustion and sadness which made her wince. It had been a month since her mother had gone from the world, and she hadn’t been able to get herself to come over here and pack her things.
Isabella reached out a hand, gently squeezing Olivia’s shoulder. "You did well, Liv. Its alright. Aunty is always going to be with you..."
Nora nodded in agreement. "And we’re here for you, always."
Olivia managed a weak smile, grateful for her friends’ unwavering support. She knew if they had not come over today and practically began packing things themselves, she would have spent today staring at everything as well, not doing anything else... "Thank you, both of you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you."
"Oh, you’d have done fine, Olivia. You’re a strong girl." Isabella murmured as she passed a container of food to Olivia. The girl needed to eat. She’d lost so much of weight since the past month.
"I don’t know about that. I haven’t been able to do anything well these past few weeks. I doubt I could have arranged for the funeral... I feel so lost..." As she said, Olivia could feel her voice choke and tears threaten to fall. This is what she had been doing the entire time. Even as she told herself repeatedly that she should stop crying and be strong, she started crying at the most unexpected times.
As Nora and Isabella hugged her, she tried to compose herself. She heard Nora pat her head gently consoling her. An ironic smile graced her face as she looked up at Nora," You’ve grown up! Now you’re even consoling me so well, someone who is older than you."
Nora chuckled softly, brushing a stray tear from Olivia’s cheek. "Well, someone has to keep you in line, Olivia. Also you’re not much older...so don’t try to claim seniority."