Chapter 5

I sat and watched the clock while Ethan came home; second by second became oh so long. The car in his driveway finally started at 10pm. My heart raced, a mix of anxiety and anticipation flooding through me. What does he do when he finds out? Thought I, in the mad ride of my brain.

I stood as Ethan walked through the door, and I was ready for whatever I needed to say.

"… You haven't slept yet?" he asked with normal intonation as if there is nothing wrong.

“No,” I snapped, my voice unbroken by the storm that was brewing in my soul. “I need to tell you about something serious.”

“I also want to talk to you about something important,” he said, his expression serious. “So… we need to talk.”

And then the words came back, a refrain in echoes chanted again in the back of my head. "What is it?"

Ethan gave me an envelope, and I felt my hands shake as I unfolded it. As I unrolled the paper, fresh tears came to me.

“Divorce papers?” I murmured, looking him in the eye and confused.

He spoke in his voiceless, “Look, Lily, listen to the fact that I cannot handle this relationship anymore. As you fucking know, I do not love you. We’ve become just a formality. I haven’t even touched you to date…”

His words scalded me; like a knife sliced through, I saw him and gasped at him in utter disbelief. How could you forget…? She thought in her heart.

“I have signed it." It would be more honest for you but also release me out of this relationship. He tossed a checkbook at me, his back to avoid looking at my tears. Any amount you want to put.

I was as empty as I looked at the check and the white pages echoing my own vacancy. “I’m sorry, Lily… I know I hurt you… but I love someone else.” His thoughts lingered in the air, a painful reminder of his infidelity. I’m sorry, but I’m tired. I’m tired of fighting with Sarah, so I’m doing what she wants.”

Lily turned to face him, her voice trembling with fury. “You think you can just walk away after everything? After what you’ve done?”

Ethan crossed his arms, his posture defensive. “What do you want me to say, Lily? I’ve made my choice. I’m with Sarah now.”

“Sarah?” Lily scoffed, disbelief etched across her features. “You’ve chosen her over everything we had! You act like I don’t even exist anymore!”

“I’m not going to pretend anymore,” Ethan shot back, frustration evident in his voice. “I never loved you the way you wanted me to. I’ve always loved Sarah!”

Her heart sank at his words, anger boiling over. “So, that’s it? You’re just going to throw away everything we built together? You think this is easy for me?”

Ethan stepped closer, his tone sharp. “You don’t understand! I’ve been trying to be honest. I can’t keep living a lie. I don’t want you in my life anymore!”

Lily felt her breath catch in her throat, the pain of his rejection cutting deep. “You think you can just erase me? Erase us? You’re willing to destroy everything just to be with her?”

“It’s not about destroying anything! We never have anything between us,” Ethan replied, his voice rising. “It’s about being true to myself. I can’t be the man you want. my heart is with Sarah!”

“Your heart?” she echoed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You think you can just walk away without any consequences? You’re so selfish!”

Ethan’s expression hardened, and he took a step back, his resolve firm. “I’m not selfish. I’m being honest. Stop being overdramatic! You are the one who is always selfish. You tricked my parents into thinking I would be happy with you, and you’ve always snatched everyone around me!”

Lily's eyes widened in disbelief. “Tricked your parents? Is that what you really think of me? I never forced you into anything! I loved you, and I tried to make this work!”

“You think love is enough?” Ethan shot back, his voice filled with anger. “You’ve manipulated everyone, including me! You’ve always wanted to be the center of attention, and now you’re just trying to play the victim!”

“I’m not playing the victim!” she yelled, her voice echoing in the small room. “I’m standing up for myself! You’re the one who’s been dishonest, running back to Sarah as if I meant nothing!”

“You were never part of my life, Lily. Just sign the papers, at least I am paying you for being my wife for 3 years.” He said coldly.

****

LILY'S POV

The rain fell steadily, a relentless drizzle that blurred the world around Lily. It felt as if the very foundation of her life was crumbling beneath her. Ethan’s words echoed in her mind, sharp and cutting, as she signed the papers that would end their relationship. With each stroke of the pen, her heart shattered a little more, the pieces scattering like leaves in the wind.

After leaving the house, she found herself at the park, her sanctuary. She slipped onto the familiar bench, its wood damp beneath her, and buried her face in her hands. The rain mixed with her tears, creating a torrent of sorrow that seemed to cleanse her but also drown her in despair.

“I’ve run out of luck,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the sound of the raindrops. Her parents were gone, and now the one person she thought she could count on had left her too. The weight of loneliness pressed down on her chest, heavy and suffocating.

But there was something else—something fragile and precious growing inside her. She placed a hand on her belly, feeling a flicker of life beneath her palm. “I will live for you,” she vowed softly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “You’re all I have now.”

Lily took a deep breath, steeling herself against the overwhelming tide of emotions. She didn’t need anyone else, she told herself. But the truth was, the ache of isolation was almost unbearable. In that moment of darkness, she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Mia’s number.

The phone rang, each tone echoing her desperation. Finally, Mia picked up, her voice a lifeline in the storm. “Lily? Is everything okay?”

“No, it’s not,” Lily choked out, her voice breaking. “I need you. I really need you right now.”

“Where are you?” Mia asked, concern flooding her tone.

“I’m at the park… the bench,” Lily replied, glancing around as if expecting someone to appear. “Please, can you come?”

“I’m on my way,” Mia said, her voice steady and reassuring. “Just hold on, okay?”

****

ETHAN'S POV

I was still steaming from the shower, so to speak, when I came out into the living room. Steaming from the shower, I needed to find some idea of a routine, so I shuffled to my laundry closet for some clothes. The paper slid from the shelf and fluttered across the threshold when I reached for the handle, opening it.

“Mmph,” I gasped and bent to pick it up, to my surprise It was—the pregnancy test.

I erupted with a wave of fury. She was cheating on me. I looked at the paper, Who was the father of this child? My breath quickened as panic set in. I had just divorced her, and now this. If this got out that my wife was going to be the mother of someone else’s child after the divorce, my reputation would be ruined.

How could this happen? I thought bitterly. Had I known about this before the divorce, things would have been so different. But the truth was, I had never touched her. This child couldn’t possibly be mine.

There was a knot forming in my stomach; I had to go get Lily. I had to be told the truth, and more crucially, this baby needs to never be born. I have to abort this child, I said to myself, my head spinning at what she had done.

I stepped out of the room, determination coursed through me. I would make sure that this child would never complicate my life again.

*****