Chapter 7: Burning Air

Ethan POV

I stood at the door, pressing my ear against it.

I could hear her soft whimpers again.

I exhaled.

Doesn’t she like the food?

…Wait.

Why do I even care?

I scoffed at myself and walked straight to my room, dropping on the bed.

A virgin?

I sighed, rubbing my face.

Why did I stop?

I wanted her out of this building. That’s all that matters. So why did that word—virgin—make me stop?

“Shit,” I muttered.

The doorbell rang.

I groaned and dragged myself up, walking to the door. When I opened it, a middle-aged man stood there holding a suitcase.

I raised a brow.

“Good day, sir. I was sent by Mr. Wellington to deliver this to Maya Rivers.”

“And what is that?” I asked.

“Clothes, sir.”

Clothes?

The old man got her clothes?

I scoffed.

He’s really trying so hard, isn’t he?

“This is useless,” I said, grabbing the luggage. “She’ll be gone tomorrow.”

I shut the door.

I need to move out.

My space isn’t mine anymore. This will be the third house I’m changing—and I still can’t leave this goddamn country.

That old man won’t let me.

Marked me for life.

I clenched my jaw.

I will never be his pawn. Not like my father.

I walked to the bar. I didn’t reach for the whiskey—that wasn’t enough anymore. Instead, I grabbed the bottle of Everclear. There wasn’t much left, maybe two fingers, and I drank straight from it.

No glass.

I killed it in one swallow.

It didn’t burn.

It scorched.

Like swallowing gasoline and a lit match.

I welcomed it.

I wanted that pain to drown out the noise in my head.

I don’t want any stupid company.

I don’t want any noise.

I just want peace.

But the irritation kept building.

Just fucking leave me alone.

There’s Uncle Marcus—he can run the company. I don’t know why that man is so hellbent on ruining my life.

My phone rang on the marble counter.

I glanced at it—

—and my chest tightened.

Him.

My grip snapped.

I hurled the empty Everclear bottle. It smashed against the wall, glass scattering everywhere.

My breathing turned rough.

“JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” I shouted, dropping to the floor.

My chest rose and fell rapidly.

I hit the floor with my head, staring blankly.

Tears slipped out, hitting the cold tiles.

Everyone gets a perfect family…

…but I ended up a Wellington.

“Teetee…”

I froze.

That voice.

I lifted my head slowly.

She was there.

Standing in that glittering Barbie gown… smiling like nothing in the world was wrong.

“Lily…” I whispered.

She crouched in front of me.

“What are you doing on the floor?” she asked softly.

I couldn’t answer.

I just smiled.

“Don’t tell me Chloe broke your heart again,” she teased, rolling her eyes in that cute way she always did.

A weak laugh escaped me.

“I’m done with Chloe.”

“Good. I don’t like her,” she said.

“Me neither,” I murmured.

“Then get up! We’re going to be late for school. Mom’s taking us,” she said excitedly.

“Yeah… Mom,” I whispered.

Tears kept falling.

“Why are you crying, Teetee—?”

“Are you okay?”

The voice cut through the fog.

I blinked.

And Lilly was gone.

Gone.

And standing there instead… was her.

The wife.

Looking at me like I was crazy.

I quickly stood up, grabbed my phone, and walked past her without saying a word.

I didn’t want to see that look.

I got to my room and dropped on the bed, shutting my eyes tight.

Sleep dragged me in before I could think again.

Maya POV

What just happened?

I had rushed out after hearing something shatter—only to find Ethan on the floor.

The air reeked of alcohol.

For a split second, I had prayed he was dead. But his eyes were open, and he was weeping.

He was staring at me… yet not seeing me.

“Lily,” he had said.

Who is Lily?

It felt like he was talking to someone else. Like he wasn’t even in the same world.

What is wrong with him?

What could have broken him this badly?

Did he lose someone?

I exhaled sharply.

Why do I care?

I pushed the thought away.

Earlier, Mr. Wellington had called to say my clothes were delivered. I needed to visit Andre… especially since Doctor Harry hadn’t been picking up my calls.

I just hoped nothing had gone wrong.

But when will the clothes get here?

I noticed a brown suitcase behind the white couch. The one facing the stairs.

What’s that?

Do we have a new live-in guest?

I glanced toward the stairs, then shrugged it off.

It must be one of those slutty friends of his.

I still didn't care.

And I definitely didn’t care about Ethan. 

Whatever he was going through had nothing to do with me.

I was almost raped because of him.

Yes, he stopped it—but he caused it in the first place.

I hissed under my breath and slipped out of the house, not sparing a single glance back at the mansion.

The estate felt endless. 

By the time I reached the main road, I realized I was lost. 

I stood by the curb, hoping for a taxi, when a sleek black car pulled up. 

The window rolled down to reveal James, dressed in a sharp brown suit.

“Maya?” he called out, stepping from the car. “It is you. I wasn’t sure.”

“Mr. James.” I forced a smile.

“Where are you headed?” He scanned me, his eyes lingering on the blue dress Ethan had given me.

“I... just somewhere,” I replied vaguely.

“Need a ride to this ‘somewhere’?” He smiled kindly. I hesitated, then nodded and climbed in.

The ride was uncomfortably quiet until he spoke. 

“So, how was your first day as a married woman?” He chuckled.

A cold chill ran through me.

My mind flashed back—

Hands pinning me down.

That disgusting smirk.

I tensed up, and James noticed.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said sharply, staring out the window. “It’s a contract marriage. I’m not exactly expecting a fairy tale.”

“True,” he mused. “So, how is Ethan?”

I turned to him, my frustration bubbling over. “I don’t know why you keep asking me about him. You work for the Wellingtons; I’m sure you have all the details. Weren't you at the wedding?”

James went quiet for a long time. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to help.”

“I didn't say I needed any help,” I snapped.

The rest of the drive was silent until we reached Evergreen Community Hospital.

 “Please, stop here,” I said, grabbing my bag.

“The hospital? Are you sick?” James asked, looking concerned.

“No, a friend is.” I replied and stepped out.

“Should I wait for you?” he asked, poking his head out of the car window.

“No. Thank you,” I said hurriedly and walked away before he could say anything else.

Why is he trying so hard to be friends with me?

Is he a spy from Mr. Wellington?

I shook my head and walked into the hospital, heading straight for the front desk.

“Ms. Rivers!” Nurse Bella called wearing a smile.

“Nurse Bella,” I said, returning the smile.

“Doctor Harry is in his office. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

After a brief call, she nodded.

“You can go in.”

“Thank you, Nurse Bella,” I said and turned to leave.

“Maya,” she called.

I turned back.

“I’ve never seen a patient fight as hard as Andre. You’ve got a real fighter there, and he’s lucky to have the best sister in the world,” she said with a warm smile.

I swallowed hard.

“Thanks,” I said quietly and left.

I walked to the doctor’s office and paused before entering.

“Doctor Harry,” I called softly.

“Ms. Rivers,” he replied.

“I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday,” I said, my voice trembling.

“I’m sorry, Maya. I had a long surgery. Please, sit.”

I sat opposite him, gripping my hands tightly.

“How is Andre?”

He hesitated, then looked at me gravely. “Maya, I won’t lie to you. The boy is slipping away.”

My heart stopped. “I... I have a million dollars. Please, can that help?”

His eyes lit up. “A million? Yes, that will cover his chemotherapy for a few weeks. But he needs the lung transplant soon, Maya. He’s Stage 4. If the cancer spreads further, there will be nothing left to do.”

I pulled out my phone immediately with shaky hands. “How do I transfer it?”

“The same way as before,” he whispered. “I don’t want people knowing I’m helping you like this. It’s not a charity ward. If the hospital finds out, they’ll pull his care and my license.”

I nodded and sent the money. One million dollars—gone in a second.

I stood up immediately heading for the door.

I’m already tired of hearing that cancer word.

“Maya," he called. "I’ll move him out of the general ward, but... that money won’t last long. You need to find more.”

I walked out, my jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Find more? Like it was that easy?

I found Andre in the general ward. He looked so small in that crowded room, surrounded by the smell of sickness and neglect.

The sight broke me completely.

My knees gave out.

Tears poured uncontrollably as I collapsed to the floor.

People stared—but I didn’t care.

My chest ached violently.

“Andre…” I whispered.

I hit my chest, trying to ease the pain—but it only got worse.

What kind of life is this?

“I’m tired…”

“I can’t do this…”

I can’t get more money until the 100 days are over, I thought despairingly. And this is only Day One.

“Andre… I’m sorry,” I sobbed into the cold hospital floor.

I don't know what else to do.