Chapter 13

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

"Oh, I just thought I’d come and check on you,” Sarah replied, her tone overly cheerful. “Ethan’s been worried sick, you know. He wanted to make sure you were doing okay.”

“Worried sick?” Mia echoed, incredulous. “He hasn’t even bothered to show his face in weeks. And now he sends you?”

Lily shot Mia a warning glance, but the bitterness bubbled to the surface.

Sarah’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. “Well, he’s been busy, but I thought I could bring you some flowers to brighten your day. They’re lovely, aren’t they?” She gestured to the bouquet, her eyes scanning the room as if to assess its worthiness.

Lily’s gaze fell on the flowers, then back to the diamond ring on Sarah’s hand. “You shouldn’t have bothered,” she said coldly. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say.”

“Oh, come now,” Sarah purred, stepping closer, her voice dripping with condescension. “We both know Ethan cares about you. He just has... other commitments now.” She glanced at Mia, her expression revealing nothing but disdain. “But I’m sure you understand how these things work.”

Mia stood protectively beside Lily, her fists clenched at her sides. “Why don’t you just leave, Sarah? You’re not welcome here.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m just being friendly,” Sarah replied, her tone mocking. “But I suppose you’re still feeling a little fragile after everything that’s happened.”

Lily felt a surge of anger rise within her, but she forced herself to stay calm. “I don’t need your pity, Sarah. You may think you’ve won, but you’re wrong. You don’t know anything about me or what I’ve been through.”

Sarah’s smile turned icy, her facade slipping slightly. “You think you’re strong, don’t you? But let’s be honest—Ethan left you for a reason. You were never enough for him.”

Lily felt a surge of anger rise within her, but she forced herself to stay calm. “You think you’re so special, don’t you? But you’re just a mistress—a homewrecker.”

“I did not come between you two; you came between us, Lily,” Sarah shot back, her voice low and dangerous. “He’s with me now, and I have something you’ll never have.” She raised her hand, showcasing the diamond ring once more, as if it were a trophy.

The words hit Lily like a slap, but she refused to let Sarah see her pain. “You think that ring makes you better than me? It doesn't. No matter how much you both hid your affair, you will always be his mistress. And anyway, I don't want him now; he doesn't deserve me."

Sarah’s expression faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “Is that what you tell yourself?” she sneered, trying to regain her composure.

Mia stepped forward, her voice firm and protective. “You need to leave, Sarah. We don’t want you here.”

With a final glare, Sarah turned on her heel, her facade slipping. “Fine. Enjoy your little pity party,” she spat. “But don’t say I didn’t try to be nice.”

Just as Sarah turned to leave, the door swung open again, and Ethan stood there, his expression shifting from surprise to concern. He flinched at the sight of Sarah.

"What are you doing here, Sarah?" without hesitation, she rushed into his arms, tears streaming down her face.

“Oh, Ethan!” Sarah cried dramatically, hugging him tightly. “I was so worried! I came to check on Lily, and she just blamed me for everything!”

Ethan’s brow furrowed with worry as he pulled back to look at her. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“I was here for my checkup to see if our baby is okay,” Sarah continued, her voice trembling. “I thought I’d check on Lily, but she just kept calling me your mistress!”

Mia and Lily exchanged surprised and confused glances, the tension in the room thickening.

Ethan’s soft expression darkened as he turned to Lily. “Whatever happened, it’s your fault, not hers,” he said, his voice rising. “I never loved you. And the child you keep blaming me for? It’s not even mine! I still pay your hospital bills and care for you. It’s my fault for thinking I should care for you at all. You don’t deserve this.”

Lily’s heart raced with anger and disbelief. Lily hated what he was saying, and this time she wouldn’t let down her self-respect. She shouted back, her voice trembling with emotion. “If I’m calling her your mistress, then that’s exactly what she is! She’s caring for your child! You cheated on me, stayed in this marriage, and had a baby with your mistress, and you still blame me for having someone else’s child? In my entire life, I loved only one person, and you can't see that because you are stupid. And I hate myself for ever loving you. Just fuck off!”

Ethan was taken aback after seeing her outburst. His eyes widened in shock as he processed her words, his mouth opening and closing as if he were searching for a response but finding none.

Mia stepped forward, joining Lily in her defiance. “You need to leave, Ethan. We can take care of ourselves. The bills you paid? I’ll repay you. Go take care of your mistress and this illegitimate child!”

Ethan’s anger flared, his face reddening. “Mind your fucking language!” he snapped, his voice laced with fury.

Mia stood firm, unafraid, her eyes blazing with determination. “Both of you get out right now before I call security.”

Ethan’s face twisted with rage, but he hesitated, caught between his anger and the reality of the situation. Finally, he turned to Sarah, who looked at him with wide, pleading eyes.

“Let’s go,” he said tersely, grabbing her arm.

As they left, Lily felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She turned to Mia, who smiled supportively. “You did great, Lily. You stood up for yourself.”

Lily took a deep breath, feeling a newfound sense of strength. “I won’t let them control my life anymore. I’m ready to move on.”

Mia squeezed her hand. “We’ll get through this together.”

As they sat together, the weight of the confrontation lingered, but Lily felt a flicker of hope. She was determined to reclaim her life, embrace her strength, and prove to herself that she was worth so much more than what Ethan had ever given her.