Mr. Thompson

Chapter 22 Why Give Up the Forest for One Tree 

Finished 

Olivia quickly dried her tears. “Jessie, we’re way past the age of letting love cloud our judgment. At the end of the day, you’ve got to choose between love and stability, right? Remember a year ago when I suggested you divorce? You weren’t having it. Now that you’ve come to your senses, I’m genuinely happy for you. And with half of Chase’s wealth, you’re set for life, girl.” 

A hint of a smile played on Olivia’s lips. “Think about it, even though you lost one guy, you can use the money he earned to support ten or eight handsome guys who’ve got it all–fair skin, charm, and legs. Now that’s living the dream, isn’t it?” 

Jessie chuckled awkwardly. “Um, well, I only got 1.5 million in compensation.” 

“What? That scumbag cheated on you while you were married, and he thinks 1.5 million is enough?” Olivia’s disbelief was written all over her face. 

“Didn’t that jerk used to splash cash on you? Now he’s suddenly tight–fisted? Like, he’s not exactly short of money.” 

Jessie didn’t go into details. “When he loved me, he showered me with gifts like I was his everything. But now? Now I’m not even worth as much as the weeds on the ground. Forget about him. I called you over to help me move.” 

“Okay, once we finish moving, I’ll treat you tonight. Let’s go out and have a feast.” 

Jessie smiled. “Sounds good.” 

Her stuff was all packed up, just a few changes of clothes left to toss in her suitcase. 

Everything else belonged to Chase; she didn’t touch any of it. 

Olivia noticed the wedding photo on the bedside table, with a space where Jessie used to be. 

Jessie smiled as she explained, “I only took what’s rightfully mine.” 

The only thing she couldn’t bear to leave behind was the nursery. She and Chase had personally designed and decorated it, and she didn’t want it to be used for Linda’s future kids. 

From the room that had accompanied Jessie for a year, Jessie only took the baby 

crib and had everything else taken down 

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Chapter 22 Why Give Up the Forest for One Tree 

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It was surprising how quickly all the memories they’d built over countless days and nights could be erased in just a few hours. 

Standing at the villa’s entrance, she couldn’t help but recall the excitement she felt the first time she came here. Back then, her laughter was infectious, but now her tears flowed freely. 

The person she was back then could never have imagined ending up in this situation with Chase. 

She took one last glance at the door as if bidding farewell to her past, and then left without looking back. 

Jessie walked up to Olivia and said, “Olivia, want to come with me to the hair salon?” 

Olivia slapped her on the shoulder enthusiastically. “Of course! New hairstyle, new start. Forget that loser! I’m thinking of getting a cute pink dye job. How about you, Jessie?” 

Without much thought, Jessie replied, “I want to go short.” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Jessie, you look stunning with both long and short hair, but maybe not too short, just in case you regret it later,” Olivia advised. 

u to do 

Little did she know, whether Jessie went for long or short hair had nothing with looking good. It was just to prepare for potential hair loss from chemotherapy. 

Jessie smiled softly. “No regrets.” 

With two freshly heartbroken women together, Olivia found two handsome. hairdressers, and soon they both rocked a fresh new look. 

Seeing Jessie’s new hairstyle, Olivia was first shocked, then impressed. 

“Now I finally understand what they mean when they say someone could rock a potato sack if they’re good–looking. Jessie, you look freaking fierce!” 

To match Jessie’s new centre–parted hair, Olivia quickly dragged her to the mall and ended up buying her several gender–neutral outfits. As they strolled through the streets, they turned heads wherever they went. 

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Chapter 22 Why Give Up the Forest for One Tree 

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As night fell, Olivia pulled Jessie to take a selfie outside a storefront and shared it. on Instagram. 

Caption: Fresh start. 

Jessie joined her as they indulged in a steak dinner she had hesitated to eat before. Olivia laughed happily. “Jessie, remember when we were freshmen in high school? Back then, solving equations felt like the hardest thing ever. But now, looking back, equations are just formulas waiting to be solved. It’s not like men, where you give your all and end up with nothing but scars.” 

Jessie hadn’t had a sip of alcohol in ages, but tonight she wanted to let loose one last time. She took a sip. “That’s on you, the academic slacker. Equations were never a struggle for me.” 

“Yeah, yeah, who can compete with you, the top student? When you skipped a grade and entered high school at thirteen, I thought some little kid from the middle school section had wandered into the wrong place. Little did I know, she was a genius.” 

Olivia poured her another hefty glass and raised her own. “Whether genius or not, here’s to us being single and happy. Without that jerk, I’ll buy whatever I want from now on… 

Η 

As Olivia spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again. “Jessie, do you know? I used to buy discounted steaks for 45 cents at the supermarket. I scrimped and saved to put. him through school, I gave it my all for our future. I’m only 24 this year, and I’ve never even treated myself to a decent dress. How could he treat me like this?” 

Everyone has their struggles. Jessie hadn’t even finished handling her struggles, so she could only gently encourage Olivia to look ahead. 

She had planned to take her friend home, but Olivia, fueled by alcohol, insisted on dragging her to the Sugar Boy Club. 

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