05 Letting go

Lila’s POV

I stride deeper into the large living room, my steps echoing against the marble floors, the silence around me pierced only by the whispering glances of the house helps. Their stares follow me, but I don’t stop. I can’t afford to. Not today. Even I’m surprised at how I’ve managed to pull myself together, to come face to face with the man who shattered every part of me.

But I guess that’s what happens when pain pushes you past your limits—when you’re driven to a corner by the very people you once called home. You learn that silence won’t save you. You learn that nothing changes unless you change it. Unless you stand up and say, “This ends now.”

My hand trembles slightly as I walk towards him—towards Liam—clutching the brown envelope. The moment I see his face, I almost falter. For a moment, I see the man I once loved—the man I prayed would change. But he’s long gone. If he ever existed at all.

The thought steels me.

I remember every cold night, every careless word, every kiss he gave to someone else while I waited for his love… and worst of all, I remember the baby he let me lose.

My steps slow when I reach him, but my grip on the envelope tightens as I shove it toward him.

“You know,” I say, my voice low but sharp, my eyes locked with his, “I was gone for three days, Liam. Three days. But not once did you come looking for me. Not once did you ask if I was alive or dead. All you cared about was her.”

I point to Claudia, whose eyes widen with shock.

For a split second, something flickers across her face—guilt, fear, I don’t know.

Claudia flinches as our eyes meet. Good. Let her see the woman who rose from the ashes her actions created.

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t come,” I continue bitterly. “Because those days gave me all the time I needed—to mourn my child, and prepare for this moment. To finally accept what I should have realized long ago—knowing you was the biggest mistake of my life.”

Liam’s expression hardens, but I don’t stop. The fire inside me is burning far too strong now.

“You brought me nothing but pain, betrayal, and heartbreak, Liam. And for that, I will never forgive you.”

I take a deep breath, struggling not to let the tears fall. He doesn’t deserve to see my pain. Not anymore.

“I’m done with you,” I say, tossing the envelope onto the table beside him. “You’ve always wanted to be free from me, right? Well… here. I’m giving you exactly what you’ve been asking for.”

I steel my voice. “Sign those damn papers.”

Liam stares at me, clearly shaken. He’s never seen me like this—never seen me stand this tall, speak this loud.

“You’ve only lost a baby, not your damn sense,” he growls suddenly, his face twisting. “So watch your tongue, woman!”

I laugh bitterly, glaring at him with a disgust I can’t hide. 

“I’ve lost all respect for you, Liam. And for someone who has nothing left to lose, I don’t owe you silence.”

“Sign it,” I demand.

“You piece of trash!” he spits, hand rising in anger.

But before he can touch me, a voice cuts through the tension.

“That’s enough!”

Madam Elara. His mother. The only person in this house who’s ever shown me a hint of love.

She walks in, eyes darting between Liam and me. “What’s going on here?” she demands.

Liam’s jaw ticks. I know this look—he hates being challenged by her, especially when it concerns me.

“You don’t get a say in this, Mom!” he bites. “This is my life. For three damn years, I put up with her because you insisted on it. But I can’t do it anymore. I won’t. If she wants a divorce, then so be it. She gets one. It’s now or never.”

He snatches the envelope from the table, signs the papers with a sharp flick of his pen, and flings them back at me.

“I hope we never cross paths again,” he says, his voice cold and clipped, each word dripping with finality. His tone is a harsh command, as if he’s issuing a sentence, and I can feel the weight of his words hang in the air long after he speaks.

The papers flutter to the ground, landing with a soft thud, and it feels like my entire world shatters in that moment.

My fists clench by my side as I watch them fall, like broken promises. And then… he wraps an arm around Claudia and guides her up the stairs like I never existed.

The weight of it all crashes down on me. My knees hit the cold tile floor, shoulders shuddering as the tears finally break through.

Life has always been cruel to me. But this—this is the breaking point.

From birth, I never knew my parents. I grew up on the streets, digging through bins for food. And just when I thought marrying Liam—falling in love—might change everything, it all turned to dust. He cheated. Lied. And worst of all… he let my baby die.

Maybe happiness just isn’t for people like me. Maybe I’m meant to survive, not live.

Elara rushes to my side. “Lila—” she breathes, trying to lift me.

I rise slowly, and when I turn to face her, her eyes soften. She pulls me into an embrace, and for a moment, I let her hold me.

Then she says, “I’m going to talk to my son. He has to listen to me. I came down after hearing what happened—how could he let this happen to you? Lila, you’re not going anywhere.”

She tries to take my bag inside, but I stop her.

“No, Ma’am.” I shake my head. “I can’t do this anymore. I know how much you want me here, but I can’t keep holding on to a man who doesn’t love me. Not after this. It’s time to finally let go.”

Her eyes well up. “No, Lila, please. I know my son—he likes you, he’s just too proud to see it. I promise you, I’ll get rid of her if that’s what it takes. Just don’t leave me too, Lila. You’re the only light left in this house.”

The plea in her voice cracks something deep inside me.

But she’s not the one who’s lost a child.

I grab her hand gently and plead, “Please, ma’am… let me go. I’ll die if I stay.”

The words sink into her like knives. Her bottom lip trembles. A tear slips down her cheek.

She knows.

She knows I’ve reached the end.

She finally nods, slowly. And then pulls me into one last, warm embrace.

“Take care of yourself, Lila,” she whispers. “And remember—I’ll always be here for you. Always.”

I nod, tears falling again. And then I turn, walking away from everything—my marriage, my pain, this house.

I don’t know what lies ahead. But I know this chapter is over.