Chapter 2

Lilith's POV

I had nearly sprained my ankle, but he hadn't even stopped to look. Theo grabbed his keys and left, just like that. Leaving me in a pile of my own disbelief.

Still feeling conflicted, I made my way to a bar, where I currently was. The bartender gave me a sympathetic glance each time he refilled my glass, maybe it was the way I stared at nothing, or the way my fingers trembled every time I picked up the drink.

People came and went around me. Laughing, talking and touching. Some eyed me, probably wondering why a woman in a tailored dress was drinking alone with mascara smudged around her eyes.

"Another glass?"

"Yes." I dead panned. Was he even smart at all? I nudged my empty cup in front of him. Of course that meant refill

He chuckled under his breath, reaching for the bottle. “Rough night?”

I didn't answer.

He poured anyway, sliding the glass toward me with a small nod. “Guy trouble?”

Still, I didn’t speak.

He leaned against the counter, arms folded. “You know,” he began casually, “I’ve seen this look before. A woman walks in, dressed too good for the place, drinks like her throat is on fire, mascara down to her jaw...... it's always a man.”

I gave him a sidelong glance. “Are you always this nosey?”

He grinned. “Only for the beautiful train wrecks.”

I rolled my eyes but didn't have the energy to argue.

He tapped the counter lightly. “Let me guess.....he cheated?”

I flinched. That was all the confirmation he needed.

“Let me guess again,” he continued, “he asked for an open relationship? Said some crap about how it’s natural, freeing, modern?”

I blinked at him, slowly turning my head. “How the hell—?”

He shrugged. “I've seen it too many times. Same words, different scumbag.”

I scoffed bitterly. “He showed me a picture of her. Told me I should explore too. Like this is some.....group project.”

The bartender gave a low whistle. “He showed you a picture?”

I nodded.

He let out a short laugh. “Golden balls of steel indeed.”

I downed the rest of my drink. “You know what the worst part is? He acted like he was giving me a gift. Like cheating becomes noble if it’s...inclusive.”

He tilted his head. “Maybe you should take the offer.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Excuse me?”

“I mean it,” he said, unfazed. “Not for him. For you. He already showed you who he is. So why keep playing wife when he is not playing husband? You don't have to follow his rules, but maybe it’s time you start playing your own game.”

I stared at him,

“You’re not saying I should cheat.”

“I’m saying,” he said, leaning in slightly, “maybe it’s time you stop waiting for him to come home....and start doing something for yourself. He is with somebody else whose company he clearly enjoys, he is in the arms of another person, maybe you should be too.”

_____

I sat with the bartender’s words echoing in my head.

'Maybe it’s time you stop waiting for him to come home...'

I stared into my glass, watching the amber swirl like a portal to another version of myself. One where I wasn’t begging for the scraps of Theo’s attention, one where I wasn’t breaking down in public bars hoping mascara could hide the cracks in my smile.

But I was in love with him.

God help me, I still wanted him. Not some stranger in a nice shirt. Not a temporary fix. I wanted our marriage. I wanted the warmth we used to have, the random forehead kisses, the midnight talks, the way he used to call me 'his girl' like it meant something.

I didn't want an open marriage. I wanted just us.

Still....how long would I keep sitting in silence, starving for care and attention from my spouse, pretending this wasn’t killing me slowly?

Maybe the bartender had a point, not about sleeping around, but about standing up, doing something. Anything.

I was still weighing the thought when I heard voices behind me.

"Hey there, sweetheart," one of them slurred, a man in a button-down shirt, his breath was incredibly sour with alcohol. "You look like you could use real company."

Another man chuckled beside him. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing drinking alone, huh? Broken heart?”

I ignored them, shaking my head and turning slightly away.

“We’ll buy your next round,” the first one said, already snapping his fingers at the empty counter. “Or... you prefer paying for your own drinks like a strong, lonely woman?”

I frowned. “I’m fine, thanks.”

He leaned closer, his tone turning crude. “You sure? We don’t mind helping you forget your troubles.”

I tried to stand, but before I could, the second man stepped in my way, his hand brushing my shoulder. I slapped it off.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Oh, she is feisty,” the first one laughed, eyes gleaming. “Bet she’d be a wild ride when she stops pretending to be a lady.”

“Back off,” I said sharply.

He grabbed my wrist. “Come on, baby, don’t act like you don’t want it. Why else would you be dressed like that and drinking alone?”

I yanked my arm, panic crawling up my spine. I looked around. The music was too loud, drowning out my voice. The few people in the bar were distracted, either drunk, laughing, or scrolling on their phones. No one noticed this.

And the bartender was gone.

My heart pounded as they started pulling at me again, saying filth I couldn’t even repeat. Words that made my stomach turn.

“Don’t look like you’ve got anyone waiting for you tonight.” the other one smirked.

“I do,” I said, voice steady. “I rushed out of my house. It’s my marriage anniversary.”

I raised my left hand, showing them the ring. Hoping it would mean something to them. But it didn’t.

“Married?” one of them chuckled, licking his lips. “All the better. Unhappy wives are the best kind of fucks.”

“She’s already dressed for it,” the other added again, his big eyes sweeping over me. “Bet she wants it.”

I stood up sharply. “I said no.”

I immediately grabbed my purse and made a run for the exit. I reached the door, thinking that I had made it out but a rough hand caught my wrist.

“Where are you going, princess?”

Before I could yank my hand free, the first blow connected with my temple. I fell to the floor, barely able to struggle as their hands grabbed at me.