A clear message

Lillian’s POV

Inhaling shakily, I stared at my gaunt reflection in the mirror, as tears built up in my eyes for the umpteenth time that evening.

My already visible collar bones had become even more noticeable within a few hours with visible bags under my eyes, and a pallor shade on my lips.

I looked nothing like the Lillian that married Stefano three years ago.

Fine, I had also been struggling back then but it wasn't as bad as this. At least, I used to have clients who I made food for in exchange for cash.

I had gotten into culinary school on a government sponsored scholarship, as my father and stepmother had told me to my face that they had no money to sponsor me after high school.

My passion for cooking had pushed me into entering a local cooking competition, which I won and also got the scholarship.

On Stefano and my dad's orders, I had dropped out to be a housewife, and I knew the culinary school wouldn't take me back again.

I had no idea how I was supposed to move on with my life with zero cash or assets to my name.

You would think being married to one of the wealthiest men in America would have guaranteed my future.

But that was a far cry from the truth.

A day had passed since Stefano gave me the divorce papers, and I was yet to sign it.

Him removing his investment from my dad's company would make it go bankrupt instantly.

And I neither wanted that nor did I want him to leave me and our unborn child.

Rubbing my hands over my flat belly, I exhaled heavily before glancing at my phone, an old phone that I had been using since middle school.

It was a miracle the device was still working at all, given the amount of travails it had also gone through.

Apart from being married to Stefano on papers, there was really no advantage for me.

Scrolling through my sparse list of contacts, I pondered who could render me a little help, but quickly remembered that I hadn't spoken to most of them in three years, and calling them to ask for their assistance would be utterly stupid of me.

I didn't want them or anyone else to think of me as a liability like Stefano already did.

My heart broke all over again as I thought back to how he had insulted me last night, tears rolling down my cheeks as I realized just how unfortunate I was.

Everyone in my life always left me.

First, it had been my mother, who passed away after my birth and now, it was my husband leaving me.

The only person who I hoped would never leave me was my unborn baby, and even it, I had no idea how I was supposed to take care of.

Just then, a knock came on the door, jerking me out of my reverie.

Wiping my tears off, I turned away from the dresser mirror.

“Come in,” I said, and one of the maids, Laura, walked in, carrying a lilac box.

“Sir Stefano told me to give this to you,’’ She said, handing me the box. “He also told me to inform you to meet him in the driveway in fifteen minutes.”

A wave of confusion hit me as I regarded the lilac box, inwardly wondering what could be inside it.

“Thanks, Laura,” I said, and she smiled and nodded before taking her leave.

Standing up, I placed the box on the bed and opened it. A gasp escaped me when I saw a long burgundy silk dress with a pair of silver heels and a silver clutch purse in it.

A great dose of wave bloomed within me as I looked at the beautiful outfit. This was the first time since our marriage that Stefano had gotten something from me.

Everything in the box looked so expensive and it greatly delighted me that Stefano had gotten something like that for me.

I didn't even realize that he knew burgundy was my favourite colour.

My lips curved upward in a smile as I caressed the soft material of the dress, before recalling that he wanted me to meet him in fifteen minutes.

I had already spent about three minutes admiring the outfit.

Peeling off my clothes, I took a quick shower as I had already taken my bath earlier that day. I didn't want my sweat on my precious dress.

Minutes later, I walked into the driveway, with my hair held up in a sleek bun, and my lips glossed with a lip balm.

I could only hope that Stefano thought I looked nice enough.

Fortunately enough, he didn't look repulsed as he always did as he stood by his Ferrari world. I was stunned to see a smile creasing his lips as I walked up to him.

I was relieved he didn't even bring up the divorce again.

It seemed he had decided against it and I couldn't be more elated.

“Let's go?” He asked, and I nodded before he opened the car for me.

“Thank you,” I darted him a smile which he mirrored before going over to the driver's seat.

About thirty minutes later, we got to our destination; a large, super imposing event hall, and I couldn't help but wonder why we were there.

“Is it your company's dinner?” I squeaked out, as Stefano and I walked out of the car.

“You will see,” He replied, to which I nodded, clutching my purse tightly as we entered the venue.

My jaw dropped when I saw a huge poster of Stefano and a strange woman, locked in a romantic pose at the door, with my husband pressing a kiss to her forehead while she smiled, revealing her pearly teeth, her hands splayed on his chest.

“Welcome to Stefano and Meryl's engagement charity dinner,” The caption beneath the poster read.

Various thoughts and emotions assailed me almost to the point of insanity, as I looked at Stefano, whose gaze was fixated on the woman approaching us.

It dawned on me that she was the woman in the picture.

She had a svelte figure with blonde hair and a pair of gorgeous blue eyes, paired with a perfect, straight nose and the rosiest set of lips.

“Hi, baby,” I saw Stefano grin for the first time since we had been married, as he hugged the woman, who giggled and kissed him on the lips.

It felt like someone was using a wrench to pull my heart out of my chest as I watched their display. None of them even cared that I was there.

“What is the meaning of this?” I blurted out without thinking, still in utter disbelief.

Ignoring my question, Stefano hooked his arm around her waist.

“Lillian, I want you to meet Meryl, the love of my life and my fiancée,” Stefano said, pressing a kiss to her cheek and she blushed.

“Hi, Lillian,” Meryl waved at me. “Thanks for taking care of my man during my absence. We are both grateful for your service.”

I could only open and close my mouth wordlessly like a fish out of water as I stared at them in disbelief.

“Here,” Stefano said, handing me a few dollar bills. “Use it to get a cab and go home. You're no longer needed here.”

“Ciao, Lillian,” Meryl blew me a mocking kiss before they drifted into the hall further.

Staring at the cash in my hand, I shook my head in self-pity, as tears streamed down my face.