Chapter 2

I sat in the living room all night. Ethan never returned.

He forgot about my injured knee, and he forgot his promise to come back.

Because I was pregnant, I couldn't take my usual pain medication. I had to limp to the bathroom, using the wall for support, to wring out a hot towel to wrap around my throbbing knee.

Just as I settled back onto the couch, my phone buzzed.

It was a Snapchat message from Chloe.

“Lily, I’m so sorry. My period cramps are just unbearable. I wanted to go home, but Ethan was too worried. “

“He insisted I stay in the hospital overnight for observation. I’m afraid he won't be able to make it back tonight. Hope you don't mind!”

I stared at the screen, my heart flatlining.

This wasn't the first time Ethan had done this.

A minute later, Chloe posted an IG story: “Feeling so safe. You’re always there whenever I need you.”

It was a blatant provocation, meant solely for my eyes.

The photo showed a hospital room. Ethan was asleep, resting his head on the edge of her mattress, his profile illuminated by the dim light.

Someone had commented: “Girl, is this your man? He’s gorgeous!”

Chloe replied: “Don't be silly! He’s just my childhood bestie~”

“Just a bestie? I don't buy it,” another friend replied.

Chloe didn't reply to that one.

Looking at the photo of Ethan sleeping peacefully by her bed, a sharp, physical pang shot through my chest.

Two weeks ago, Ethan’s friends had hosted a private party. He had texted me the address and told me to join them.

I took an Uber there. When I arrived, Ethan wasn't there yet.

I sat in the private dining booth, waiting. Suddenly, the door pushed open. It wasn't Ethan. It was his friend, Tyler Simmons.

I had met Tyler a few times, but we were barely acquaintances.

As soon as Tyler sat down, he started making highly inappropriate conversation, slowly sliding his chair closer to mine.

I politely asked him to give me some space. He just laughed, leaning in even closer. "You really are a beauty, Lily."

I stared at him, alarmed. "Excuse me?"

"I've thought you were hot since the first day I saw you."

"Mr. Simmons, that's enough."

I stood up to leave, but Tyler grabbed my wrist tightly. "I told Ethan I liked you. Do you want to know what he said?"

"He said you were easy. He said you were wild in bed, and that he didn't mind if I took you for a spin."

I shook my head in disbelief. "You're lying."

"Am I? Then why do you think you're the only one in this room right now?"

Tyler lunged forward, locking his arms around me. I struggled, but he held me in a chokehold. "Just be a good girl and stop fighting."

I slammed my heel onto Tyler’s leather shoe with all my strength. He yelled in pain and released me.

I bolted for the door.

By some twisted twist of fate, the moment I threw the door open, I saw Ethan walking down the hallway, laughing with Chloe.

"Ethan!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

But he didn't even turn his head. He led Chloe into the VIP room next door.

As they passed, Chloe glanced back at me. She slowly ran a hand through her hair, her eyes dripping with malice.

On her finger, I saw a massive, rare blue sapphire ring.

It was the exact ring Ethan had promised to buy me during his last business trip.

How pathetic.

When Ethan finally came home late that night, his first words to me were a furious interrogation.

"Lily, what the hell is wrong with you? I gave you the address. Why didn't you show up? I told everyone you were coming. You made me look like an idiot in front of my friends!"

I ripped open my collar, forcing him to look at the dark red bruises on my neck.

"What is that?" he asked. There was no worry in his eyes, only cold annoyance.

I told him exactly what Tyler had done.

Ethan didn't believe a single word.

"Lily, have you no shame? How can you lie about something like that?"

"Do you honestly think you're some goddess that every man falls in love with at first sight?"

"Look at yourself. You’ve let yourself go so much. Even if you stood naked in front of Tyler, he wouldn't even blink!"

Ethan threw all the blame on me.

He walked away without looking back.

The next morning, seeing my swollen, bloodshot eyes, he casually muttered that he had had too much to drink and told me not to take his words seriously.

Ethan only got away with this because it was me. If the woman Tyler had grabbed that night had been Chloe, Ethan would have torn the city apart.

I clenched my fists as the memories flooded my mind, suffocating me.

After a moment of silence, I opened my Snapchat and sent a message to the lawyer I had contacted a few days ago.

“Hi, I’d like to move forward with the divorce papers.”