Chapter 5

Hey—” Lily started, startled.

Ethan's grip tightened around Lily’s wrist as he pulled her through the teeming crowd off the dance floor, his jaw was set in a hard line. 

“Ehan let go,” She shouted, twisting in his grip trying to free herself. “You’re hurting me.”

He immediately relaxed his grip but didn’t let go. He continued to lead her through the hallway, but gentler this time. 

They stopped at a balcony at the end of the hallway. It was quieter here, the bass of the music could still be heard, but was reduced to a distant thrum. They were the only ones there. 

Ethan released her abruptly, and turned to face her, his blue eyes blazing with anger as he clenched his fists by his sides.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” he demanded, his voice low but harsh.”Why are you here?” 

Lily stood, rubbing her sore, reddened wrist. “I was dancing Ethan. What the hell are you doing?”

His gaze swept over her, taking in the way her dress hug her curves, the tigh peeking out through the slit. “Lily, did you forget you are married? You are my wife. You shouldn’t be out in a club dancing with strange men”

She laughed, the bitter sound echoed off the wall. How dare he. “What strange men? Don’t you think you’re being hypocritical? Now you finally remember we are married.”

“Of course,” Ethan replied exasperated, “Today is our wedding anniversary.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

“You are never home.” She crossed her arms, her eyes burning with hurt.  “Every year, every event, every time I see in the news, you are parading Stacy at every event. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were married to her. Not me”

His eyes narrowed. “Stacy is just an old friend, I know you’ve never liked her but at least you have known her since high school. She has also been very helpful to the growth of my company.”

“Just an old friend.” She repeated, shaking her head. “Just an old friend, but you’re always walking arm in arm. Just an old friend, but you always take her with you on business trips. Which old friends does that? Every time the press reports on both of you and praises you for being the perfect loving couple, you have never come out to refute the claims. Do you think you’re in the position to question me? Yes, today is our wedding anniversary,” She continued softly. “But you’re out with her again.”

Ethan let a deep breath. Before he could speak, they heard voices as a couple walked down the corridor. “Let’s go home and talk. This isn’t the place to have this discussion.”

“Now you know you have a home?” Lily’s voice rose with every word. “You want to talk?” Her anger rose as she thought about his indifference over the past three years.

 The couple stopped and curiously glanced at them. They apologized and left, leaving Ethan and Lily alone again on the balcony.

“Lily–”

“Ethan,” a smooth, familiar voice interrupted.

The door of the private room at the other end of the hall opened and Stacy stepped out. Her heels clicked mockingly as she walked across the hall to stand beside Ethan–each step felt like a dagger digging into Lily’s heart. She hooked her arm possessively around him. 

“The partners are asking for you. Mr. Ron mentioned something about a contract”

Lily’s eyes landed on their linked arms, her heart clenching. “Since you are busy, I’ll leave first.” 

Ethan reached out to grab Lily’s hand but she shifted to the side to evade his touch.

Ethan glanced at Lily, conflict evident in his eyes. “I’ll be home in two hours.”

She didn’t reply and walked away, leaving him and Stacy standing in the hallway.

Lily found Chloe at the entrance of the hallway, concern etched on her face. “Oh my God, Lily, are you okay?” She held Lily’s hand, turning her sideways to check if she was hurt. “He didn’t do anything to you, did he? I tried to follow but somehow lost sight of both of you.”

Forcing a smile, Lily shook her head. “I’m fine, Chloe, thank you. I think I’m just going to head home now.”

Chloe nodded in understanding. “Do you want me to come with you? Let me grab our bags.” Lily wanted to stop her, but she had already headed for the bar. She walked back to Lily and handed her her bag. 

“Chloe…I need some time alone.”

Chloe stared at Lily for a few seconds, debating if it was okay to let her leave alone.

“Okay,” She said softly. Lily could hear the worry in her voice. I’ll stay with you until you get a taxi”

Outside, the cool night air hit her, fresh, different from the warmth of the club. Chloe flagged down a taxi and Lily slid into the backseat.

“Call me when you get home, okay?” Chloe said closing the door. Lily nodded in response.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

Lily hesitated, she didn’t want to return to the empty house she had called home for three years.

"Just... drive around for a while," she said softly. She needed to clear her head.

The driver nodded and pulled away from the curb, speeding into the night. Lily looked out the window, staring at the city lights that became increasingly blurred as tears filled her eyes. She finally stopped holding back her emotions and let out a choking sob. Her shoulders shook violently as she cried.

As they approached an intersection, the screech of tires pierced the air. Lily looked up but only saw the glaring headlights of an oncoming car before the world went black. The impact was sudden and violent, it sent Lily’s car spinning. Before it finally stopped when it hit a sign by the side of the road.

A crowd gathered around the scene of the collision, someone called an ambulance.

*************************************************************************************************************

Ethan stood up to leave after saying goodbye to his business partners. His mind replayed his earlier conversation with Lily. He needed to fix this–fix them.

“Ethan, could you give me a ride home?” Stacy asked, following him out.

“I can’t tonight. I need to get home to Lily. I made her angry.” He turned back to face Stacy. “Do you know how I can make it up to her? Maybe I should buy something.”

“Well well well,” a voice cut in dripping with mockery. “If it isn’t the scummiest couple in the world”

Chloe stormed to Ethan and Stacy, her face red with anger and slapped him in the face. The slap echoed across the hallway.

“Chloe, why did you hit Ethan?” Stacy asked, stepping closer to Ethan.

Ethan didn’t react, knowing Chloe did it because of Lily.

Chloe refused to acknowledge Stracy, only glaring at her in disgust.“You’re a terrible husband, cheating on your wife on your wedding anniversary, no wonder she left with tears.”

Cheating. Lily cried.

Ethan’s mind was reeling in confusion. Was Lily misunderstanding something? “I–”

Chloe’s phone rang, cutting him off. The color drained from her face as she heard the words on the other end of the line. The phone slipped from her hand, clattering to the floor.

“Is something wrong?” Ethan asked.

“Lily.”

“What happened to Lily?” Ethan asked, a sinking feeling rising in his chest.

“She’s been in an accident. She’s at the hospital–in surgery.”

Ethan felt the world crashing around him. His Lily.