Chapter 5

William didn't come home for the next few days.

It was as if that was his way of punishing Lily for the stunt she had supposedly pulled. However, despite his usual absence, Lily felt strangely relieved.

In those few days, she had plenty of time to think and prepare herself. She also had more than enough time to pack her things and receive the divorce papers Mr. Linford had prepared.

The very same day it arrived, she got on a call with him and after hearing what he had to say, she couldn't help but frown.

"Mr. Linford, please...keep this a secret from them." She said into the phone.

Right about that time, she saw from the window as William's favorite car pulled into the vast courtyard outside and he stepped out.

His appearance as usual, was well put together, pristine and immaculate, a very befitting look for the handsome CEO he is. However, one thing stood out and caught Lily's eye.

A lipstick stain on his collar. Fresh and bold.

She silently chuckled at this.

Ah, Isabella was now getting more bold, she thought. It seemed, the scheming ‘innocent’ bitch couldn't wait to have her position.

Well, she didn't need to try too hard, not anymore. Because, Lily was going to willingly give such a trashy position to her.

"Please Mr. Linford, keep this from them. I'll tell them when the times right."

The elderly man on the other side sighed. "I'll see what I can do. But don't expect too much, you know how he is."

"I know, thank you."

With that, Lily hung up the phone and took a deep breath readying herself for what was coming.

At that very moment, the front door opened.

"I'm back."

William's voice sounded through the empty house, echoing and loud as he stepped in and closed the door behind him.

His eyes immediately landed on Lily who stood near the window.

"Welcome," She said in a neutral tone, her gaze not wavering from his. "I made dinner, are you hungry?"

Upon hearing this, William smiled slightly. That was more like the wife he knew.

The behavior she had shown him previously was so unlike her. But now, it seemed she had finally come back to her senses.

"Of course I am," He said as he shrugged off his jacket, shamelessly exposing the fresh hickey on his neck.

Lily's eyes lingered on the spot for a few seconds, darkened just slightly, before she smiled. The smile however, did not quite reach her eyes and if William hadn't been too caught up in his ego inflated moment, he would have seen the glint of bitterness hidden within her gaze.

But he didn't.

"I also have a surprise for you. Please, wait a moment, I'll get it ready." She said and headed to the kitchen.

As she began dishing the food she had prepared, William settled in the dinning table, watching her from behind.

The dress she wore today was different. He noted how it showed off more of her legs and clung to her figure and her hair had been packed into a high ponytail, exposing the crock of her slender neck.

She looked pleasing enough to the eyes, unlike her usual state, he thought.

"What's the occasion?" He asked, breaking the silence.

Lily glanced over her shoulder and flashed him a simple smile. She didn't answer, at least, not verbally. Shortly after, she walked into the dining room with a tray of food and set it down before William.

When the smell of freshly cooked chicken filled the room, William's stomach growled, reminding him how hungry he actually was.

Lily took the initiative to dish his food and even served it to him before settling in the seat across from him, her posture and mannerism a complete opposite of the woman he had been living with for the past years.

He was a bit taken aback by the change, but it wasn't unwelcome.

"You must have realized how badly you've been behaving this past few days, haven't you?" William said as he began digging into the food.

From across Lily chuckled. How badly she had been behaving? It was ironic how he saw her that way, even until the very end.

Well, that was fine by her. His opinion of her no longer mattered. He lost that right the moment he decided to cheat on her.

And now, he's lost her.

"I apologize," Those words were said without an ounce of emotion and for once, William caught the change.

He looked up from the meal and saw her smile. But this time, something was different about it.

Something was...off. Something he couldn't quite place his fingers on and somehow, it made an inexplicable feeling creep down his spine.

"Is the meal good?" Lily asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

His eyes flickered to hers and for a moment, he couldn't get a read on her usually readable face. His brows twitched and he looked back down at the food with a displeased look.

"You could do a better job."

"I see," Lily chuckled drily, nodding her head. "Then, I hope you'll be more pleased with my present."

"Present?" William looked up, tilting his head slightly.

The curiosity present in his eyes made Lily smile even more. Oh, was he in for a ride of disappointment.

Getting up, she said, "Wait here," before turning around and heading to the living room where she grabbed the brown envelope she had received earlier today, along with a pen.

Williams watched with curious eyes as she walked back and as soon as she had stepped back into the dining room—

Pa!

She threw the brown envelope on the table in front of him. Without waiting for him to question, she said. "Divorce papers, sign them."

For a second, William's perfectly set mask cracked and so many emotions, all at once, crossed his face, that Lily couldn't keep track of each one.

At last, he stared at the documents like she had just spoken a foreign language.

“Divorce papers?” he asked, his voice low and disbelieving as he looked up from the envelope, meeting her unexpectedly cold gaze.

The sight unsettled him and William poked the inner of his cheek with his tongue as he added. "You’re not serious."

Lily gracefully returned to her seat across from his and folded her arms, her expression unreadable. “I’ve never been more serious in my life.”

Leaning forward, she slid the pen across the table toward him and repeated.

"Sign it."

William's reaction was almost immediate. He scoffed, loud and condescending, then he dropped his utensils with so much force that the clattering sound echoed through the house.

Lily remained unfazed, looking him right in the eyes. When he noticed this, his gaze darkened.

"You must be joking," He said. "Tell me, is this your latest trick to get my attention?"

"Does it look like that's what I'm doing?" She asked. Her eyes never wavered from his, but William saw a shadow flicker through them.

For a moment, his expression faltered and the mask cracked once more. But only for a split second. Then, in a swift movement, he stood up. The force pushed his chair back and it fell to the ground, the sound and suddenness making Lily flinch ever so slightly, but she remained seated and kept her gaze on William, watching as he approached.

In seconds, he towered over her in an intimidating manner.

"Are you out of your mind?" He seethed, his voice rising. "Do you think a woman like you is worthy of anything beyond marriage? You should be grateful that someone as generous as I, has tolerated your bullshit for so long. But now, what, you want a divorce?" Scoffing, he added. “How bold of you to speak with such confidence and so little sense.”

The words hit her like a punch and it took Lily a moment to compose herself.

She was not the woman she was just a few days ago, and she wasn't going to let him have his way anymore.

"If you won't sign it, then I'll take you to court or perhaps, I'll give a juicy story to the media. I'm sure they will have a full day after getting their hands on it." She threatened and for a second, William simply stared at her.

His eyes, those very same eyes that she thought she saw a future in, now stared down at her with a cold glare that made her want to shrink into her own skin.

But Lily held his stare, despite the warning bells going off in her head.

After a second, William spoke. "Do you even know what you're asking for? You want a divorce?! Fine, I'll give it to you, but just know, you're nothing without me."

Turning, he pulled the document open and with all confidence, signed them. After he was done, he threw it in Lily's face without hesitation.

"I've signed those documents, but I dare you, if you want to become a nobody and live in misery without a single penny or job to your name, then go ahead and put your signature down on it. I promise, you'll regret it."

That was his last warning and without another word, he turned around and stormed out of the house, slamming the door shut as he felt.

Left alone, Lily looked down at the document and slowly, she took the pen into her hand and with a steady breath, she signed it.

Once the ink dried, she placed the document in the center of the table and sighed.

Well, now, that was done.

As she stood up, she heard her phone ring from the living room. Walking over to where she had left it, she found the name of the caller and exhaled slowly.

Ah, so Mr. Linford wasn't able to keep the information to himself, she thought. Well, no matter. Her life with William was already over, it ended the very moment she signed those papers.

Now, it was time for her to return to where she rightfully belonged.

Drawing in a quick breath and readying herself for the inevitable, she pressed the green button and answered the call.

"Hello... brother."

"Lilian," the sound of her brother's voice came from the other end, low, steady, but anything but calm. "You have some explanation to do. Where are you?"

There was no need delaying the inevitable. So, without hesitation, Lily gave out the address.

"Stay there, don't move an inch. I'm coming over. And Lily, if I get there and you're gone, I promise, you won't like what comes after."

The harmless threat, although delivered in a calm and even voice, was anything but calm.

Lily understood it perfectly.

So, instead of arguing, she said. "Okay," and the line went dead.

Taking a second, she stared at her phone before sighing.

Well, guess it was time to stop playing house and wake up from her broken dreams.