Chapter 12

Lily lay in her hospital bed, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The room was quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of the machines that monitored her health. She felt a sense of calm wash over her, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions that had raged within her for so long.

Over the past few days, Mia had been by her side, never leaving her alone for a second. With her silly jokes and stories, Mia had managed to bring a smile to Lily’s face even in her darkest moments. Each laugh felt like a small victory, a reminder that joy could still exist even amid pain.

“Okay, so picture this,” Mia began, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I was in the cafeteria earlier, and I swear, the coffee machine looked like it was about to explode. I mean, it was sputtering and hissing like a cat with a hairball!”

Lily chuckled, the sound surprising her. “You’re ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head.

“And yet, here you are, laughing at my ridiculousness!” Mia grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “See? You’re getting better already!”

As the laughter faded, a sense of clarity settled over Lily. She glanced out the window, watching the leaves dance in the gentle breeze. In that moment, she felt a shift within her—a realization that she couldn’t ignore any longer.

Ethan didn’t deserve her anymore.

The thought struck her like a bolt of lightning. He had killed their child, the one thing that had bound them together, and in doing so, he had severed the ties of love that had once held her captive. She had loved the wrong person for too long, hoping he would change, hoping he would become the man she needed him to be. But now, she understood that love couldn’t be forced.

“I’m done,” she said suddenly, her voice firm.

Mia stopped mid-sentence, her playful expression turning serious. “What do you mean?”

“I’m done with Ethan,” Lily declared, her heart racing with newfound determination. “I won’t let him control my life anymore. He doesn’t deserve me, and I’ve spent too long being the weak one in this relationship.”

Mia’s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. “Lily, really?”

“I am sure,” Lily replied, her voice steady. “I need to live for myself now. I want to be strong, to show him that I’m not the same girl he left behind. I want to reclaim my life.”

Mia’s expression softened, pride shining in her eyes. “I’m so proud of you, Lily. You’re stronger than you realize.”

Lily smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “I couldn’t have done this without you, Mia. You’ve been my rock through all of this. I’m so grateful to have you by my side.”

“Of course!” Mia beamed. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re in this together, remember?”

Mia continued to brighten Lily’s days with her endless supply of jokes, stories, and unwavering optimism. “Did I tell you about the time I tried to bake cookies?” she asked one afternoon, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Let’s just say the fire department knows me by name now!”

Lily laughed, the sound echoing through the room, filling it with light. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

Just then, the door to the room swung open, and a woman stepped inside. She was impeccably dressed, each piece of her outfit screaming luxury—designer heels, a tailored coat, and accessories that glittered under the fluorescent lights. Her presence was commanding, and the air shifted as she entered.

Lily and Mia’s smiles faded in an instant, replaced by a shared look of disbelief and bitterness. They both knew exactly who this woman was: Sarah, Ethan’s girlfriend—or, more accurately, his mistress. The one who had been in the shadows of their marriage, lingering like a dark cloud over their lives.

“Hello, Lily,” Sarah greeted, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she approached. A bouquet of vibrant flowers was clutched in her hand, but there was nothing genuine about her smile.

Lily’s eyes narrowed, taking in the sight of Sarah’s perfectly manicured nails and the sparkling diamond ring that adorned her finger. It glinted like a cruel reminder of everything she had lost. How could she wear that ring so proudly?

“What are you doing here, Sarah?” Lily asked, her voice steady but laced with an edge of anger.

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