Gone Like It Was Never Here

"Mrs. Connolly, I've finished your check-up," said the doctor, Owen Aldinger. "Your health has been poor from the beginning, so carrying the baby this far hasn't been easy. But these last two months are critical.

"You'll need to take extra care, or you might lose the baby."

"I understand. Thank you, Dr. Aldinger."

Lily Rosenfelt bowed her head. Her gaze drifted to her swollen belly. A hollow ache unfurled in her chest.

"Oh? Mrs. Connolly, you've regained your sight?"

Owen had only just noticed. He looked genuinely pleased.

"Yes. My vision started to come back during my last check-up. The doctor said it might be the pregnancy hormones."

"That's wonderful news. Mr. Connolly must be overjoyed. Why didn't he come with you today?"

She hadn't told Zeke Connolly yet. She wasn't sure he'd even be glad to hear it.

She offered a faint smile. "He's busy."

He was with the woman he loved most—Sophie Cruz. Of course, he didn't have time to bring her to a prenatal checkup.

She unfolded the white cane in her hand and stepped out of Owen's office. As she moved through the hospital lobby, Zeke's interview flickered across the television screen.

"Sophie isn't carrying some illegitimate child. She's carrying my baby. The two of us have been together for a long time."

The host looked intrigued. "But Mr. Connolly, isn't it true that you've been married for quite some time?"

"Yes, but the divorce is finalized. I'll be marrying Sophie soon and giving her the recognition she deserves."

"Congratulations to you both. Wishing you two a healthy baby soon."

Zeke and Sophie leaned in. Their smiles were tender and identical for the cameras.

"Thank you," they said.

Lily looked up. Her eyes were fixed on the screen. Zeke was standing with Sophie close in his arms. Sorrow welled in her eyes.

"Zeke really is devoted! He actually divorced his wife for Sophie."

"I heard he never loved Mrs. Connolly at all. He never once brought her on TV. They were married for five years, and the moment Sophie came back, he left her. Honestly, Mrs. Connolly's situation is just heartbreaking."

"I heard Sophie got pregnant after someone assaulted her overseas. Is that even true?"

"It has to be false. But even if it were true, a man who truly loved her wouldn't hold it against her. He'd be devastated. Didn't you see the way Mr. Connolly looked at her?

"If I were Mrs. Connolly, I'd have left him a long time ago."

The scene flickering across the screen almost physically hurt Lily's eyes. She heard the voices of those around her. One by one, their statements landed like knives in her chest.

She stood motionless, watching and listening, as tears slipped soundlessly down her cheeks.

Zeke had brought Sophie home a few days ago. She was eight months pregnant, just like Lily.

After surviving an assault overseas, Sophie had returned carrying a child. She didn't even know who the father was. To shield her from disgrace, Zeke had publicly claimed the baby was his.

Lily was pushing her body to the edge, doing everything in her power to bring their child into the world. And yet, he was telling everyone that they were already divorced.

She had given him so many years of her life. In the end, it felt as if all her love had been poured down the drain. If he wanted a divorce so desperately, she'd give him exactly what he asked for.

Lily drifted back to the villa, barely feeling the ground beneath her feet. As she crossed the threshold, the maids' whispers fell silent.

"Stop it. Mrs. Connolly's back. Turn off the TV."

"What a tragedy. Thank God she's blind. Otherwise, this would've shattered her."

"Welcome home, Mrs. Connolly."

A maid stepped forward to help, but Lily didn't respond. She stood rooted in place. Her gaze was fixed on the darkened television screen. She stayed unmoving, and time seemed to be moving more slowly.

Lily lost her sight trying to save Zeke. Since she was ten, her heart had quietly belonged to him, though he only had eyes for Sophie.

Five years ago, Sophie and her whole family had migrated abroad. Heartbroken, Zeke drank every day to dull the pain.

One day, on his way home, he nearly stepped into the path of a car. Lily rushed out and shoved him to safety. He was left unharmed, but she lost her sight.