Chapter 50

Lily stood there, momentarily stunned as Lewis exclaimed, “Happy Birthday, Lily!” The words hung in the air, and it took her a moment to process what he had just said. She felt a rush of warmth wash over her, a mix of surprise and joy flooding her senses. In the whirlwind of emotions and decisions she’d been grappling with, she had completely forgotten her own birthday.

“Wow, I can’t believe I forgot!” she said, a genuine smile breaking across her face. Without thinking, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lewis in a warm hug. He embraced her back, the gesture feeling comforting and familiar, momentarily lifting the weight of her earlier anxieties.

“Of course you forgot,” Lewis chuckled as they pulled apart, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’ve had a lot on your mind. But today is all about you, so let’s celebrate!”

Just then, as they stood by the car, Ethan emerged from the building, his expression tense as he walked alongside Sarah. He had been deep in conversation with her, discussing their next steps, when his gaze caught sight of Lily and Lewis. The sight of them together—Lily smiling brightly, flowers in hand, and Lewis standing close—sent a jolt of surprise through him.

Ethan’s heart sank for a moment, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He felt a pang of jealousy and confusion. What’s going on here? He thought, his brow furrowing as he tried to read the situation.

Ethan stood just outside the building, his mind racing as he overheard Lewis’s cheerful voice ringing out, “Happy Birthday, Lily!” The words struck him like a bolt of lightning, jolting him from his thoughts. He hadn’t even remembered it was her birthday. Guilt washed over him as he quickly pulled out his phone and checked the date.

Of course, he thought bitterly. How could I forget?

As he scrolled through his contacts, memories flooded back—not of joyful celebrations, but of the routine of their marriage, a stark reminder that he had never truly celebrated Lily’s birthday during their time together. He felt a pang of regret twist in his chest. He had never given her flowers, gifts, or even a simple birthday wish. The realization hit him hard; he had taken her for granted, failing to recognize the importance of the little things that mattered to her.

“Ethan, what’s wrong?” Sarah’s voice broke through his reverie, pulling him back to the present. She stood beside him, her brow furrowed with concern. “Let’s go. Or do you want to see more drama between your enemy and your ex-wife?”

Her words struck him like a slap, a sharp reminder of the tangled web of emotions they were caught in. He glanced back at Lily, who was laughing with Lewis, her face lit up with joy, and it twisted something deep inside him. Ethan felt a surge of frustration mixed with sorrow.

“Just give me a minute,” he replied tersely, trying to shake off the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. He turned away from Sarah, ignoring her probing gaze. Deep down, he was lost in thought, replaying the past in his mind like a broken record.

How did it come to this? He pondered, feeling the weight of his choices. He remembered the warmth of Lily’s smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she was happy. But those memories were overshadowed by the reality that he had never loved her as a husband should. Their marriage had been a series of obligations, moments filled with silence rather than laughter, and it felt like a lifetime ago.

Ethan clenched his fists, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “Ethan!” Sarah called again, her voice sharper this time. “Are you really going to stand here and sulk while they enjoy themselves? You can’t let this get to you.”

Her words cut through his fog of guilt, but instead of responding, he simply shook his head. “I’m not sulking,” he muttered, though he knew it was a lie. He was grappling with the reality of his feelings—feelings he had tried to bury ever since their separation.

With a heavy heart, Ethan took a step away from Sarah, his mind made up. He needed space to think, to process the swirl of emotions that had surfaced. He could no longer stand there, watching the scene unfold like a painful reminder of what he had neglected.

“Ethan, wait!” Sarah called after him, but he didn’t turn back. He walked away, each step feeling heavier than the last. Memories of their time together flooded his mind—moments that now felt like distant echoes of a life he had failed to embrace.

Ethan moved further away; he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had let Lily down in the worst way. He had never truly loved her when she was his wife, and now, as he watched her laugh and celebrate with Lewis, he realized that she had completely transformed into someone he barely recognized. The vibrant woman before him was a stark contrast to the quiet, reserved person he had taken for granted during their marriage.

The laughter that echoed from across the parking lot was a sound he had rarely heard during their time together. Back then, their conversations had been stilted, filled with silence and unspoken resentment. He remembered the way he had often brushed aside her attempts to connect, how he had allowed the distance between them to grow until it felt insurmountable.

Ethan slammed the car door shut after Sarah climbed in, his frustration boiling over. “Let’s just go,” he snapped, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he pulled away from the curb. The engine roared to life, and he sped down the street, anger coursing through him.

“Ethan, what’s wrong?” Sarah asked, her voice laced with concern.

“Nothing!” he shot back, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. He couldn’t shake the image of Lily laughing with Lewis, and the tight knot of guilt and resentment twisted deeper within him. As he drove, he felt the weight of his unacknowledged feelings pressing down, fueling his anger and making it impossible to think clearly.