Episode 4 - Her Return, His Regret

The hospital’s white walls had never felt so suffocating. The doctor’s words kept echoing in Lilian’s mind — “If we don’t get the money soon, we can’t continue her treatment.”

Her mother’s life was slipping away.

And there was only one man who could help.

Ethan Brook.

Before her courage could fade, Lilian left the hospital and rushed across town, her heart racing, her clothes still damp from the night before. Her palms were cold, her thoughts scattered.

When she reached his company’s building, the guards at the entrance hesitated — but no one stopped her. Maybe it was the look in her eyes. Desperation had a way of making people step aside.

She found him in his office.

Ethan sat behind his desk, papers scattered across it, a glass of water beside him. And standing next to him — perfectly poised, smiling faintly — was Emily.

Emily Stone.

The woman everyone whispered about.

The manipulator in heels, who had always lingered close to Ethan.

Lilian’s chest tightened. Emily’s eyes flickered with mock pity as she stepped aside, letting Lilian approach.

Lilian didn’t speak. She simply dropped to her knees.

“Ethan,” she began softly, her voice trembling. “Please… I need your help.”

He looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable.

“My mother,” she continued, her words coming out in a rush. “She’s dying. The hospital— they’re going to stop her treatment if I don’t pay today. Please, Ethan, I’ll do anything. Just… please help me.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then Ethan leaned back, a slow, mocking smile curving his lips.

“Do you even hear yourself?” he asked, voice dripping with amusement. “You think you can come in here, kneel in front of me, and beg like this?”

Lilian’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m begging you because I have no one else,” she whispered. “Please.”

He stood, walked around the desk, and crouched in front of her. His hand reached out—not with tenderness, but control—as he tilted her chin up.

“Look at me,” he said softly, almost too softly.

She did.

His gaze was cold enough to freeze her tears.

“You’re worthless in my world, Lilian,” he said, his words hitting like blows. “Don’t ever forget that.”

He straightened, picked up the glass of water from his desk, and without warning, poured it slowly over her face.

The icy shock made her gasp, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t.

“Do you remember,” he continued, his tone calm but cruel, “that you sold yourself to me the day you agreed to this marriage? Don’t act like you have the right to talk back now.”

Lilian’s lips trembled. “I’m still your wife, Ethan. You can hate me, but that doesn’t change—”

The sharp crack of glass hitting the floor cut her off. He had slammed the cup down, shattering it into pieces.

Emily flinched slightly, then smirked behind him.

Ethan’s voice turned low and dangerous. “You’ll speak when I allow you to. Understood?”

The words sliced through her. She nodded weakly, unable to meet his gaze.

Satisfied, he turned and walked toward his desk again. “Get out, Lilian. Before I regret ever seeing your face.”

Lilian’s body trembled as she struggled to her feet. Her legs felt numb, her chest hollow. She opened her mouth to speak — but nothing came. Only the sound of her broken breathing filled the room.

As she reached the door, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She froze. Her hands shook as she pulled it out.

“Hello?” Her voice was barely audible.

“Mrs. Brook,” the doctor’s voice came through, quiet and heavy. “I’m sorry… your mother just passed away.”

The phone slipped from her hand. The sound of it hitting the marble floor echoed painfully in the silent office.

Her world went still.

Ethan glanced up from his desk, frowning faintly. “What now?”

Lilian didn’t answer. She just stood there — silent, hollow, her tears mixing with the water still dripping from her hair.

Emily’s smirk faded when she saw the emptiness in Lilian’s eyes.

Without a word, Lilian turned and walked out. Her footsteps were slow, steady, almost too calm.

But inside her, something had shattered beyond repair.

The love she had carried for Ethan Brook — the love that had survived humiliation, cruelty, and heartbreak — finally died with her mother.

And in its place, a new emotion began to rise.

Cold. Quiet. Dangerous.