Gone Like It Was Never Here

When Lily Rosenfelt is eight months pregnant, Zeke Connolly brings home the woman he truly loves—Sophie Cruz, who's also eight months along. To give Sophie and the baby the recognition they deserve, he goes public with a statement saying that he and Lily are already divorced and that he'll be marrying Sophie soon. Thinking Lily is still blind, Zeke tricks her into signing the divorce papers. He even sleeps with Sophie in his own villa. What he doesn't know is that Lily has long regained her sight. When she and Sophie fall down the stairs together and Zeke, without a moment's hesitation, chooses Sophie, something in Lily breaks. She buries her love for him along with their child. It's not until she's truly gone that Zeke starts to panic. Chapter 1 "Mrs. Connolly, I've finished your check-up," said the doctor, Owen Aldinger. "Your health has been poor from the beginning, so carrying the baby this far hasn't been easy. But these last two months are critical. "You'll need to take extra care, or you might lose the baby." "I understand. Thank you, Dr. Aldinger." Lily Rosenfelt bowed her head. Her gaze drifted to her swollen belly. A hollow ache unfurled in her chest. "Oh? Mrs. Connolly, you've regained your sight?" Owen had only just noticed. He looked genuinely pleased. "Yes. My vision started to come back during my last check-up. The doctor said it might be the pregnancy hormones." "That's wonderful news. Mr. Connolly must be overjoyed. Why didn't he come with you today?" She hadn't told Zeke Connolly yet. She wasn't sure he'd even be glad to hear it. She offered a faint smile. "He's busy." He was with the woman he loved most—Sophie Cruz. Of course, he didn't have time to bring her to a prenatal checkup. She unfolded the white cane in her hand and stepped out of Owen's office. As she moved through the hospital lobby, Zeke's interview flickered across the television screen. "Sophie isn't carrying some illegitimate child. She's carrying my baby. The two of us have been together for a long time." The host looked intrigued. "But Mr. Connolly, isn't it true that you've been married for quite some time?" "Yes, but the divorce is finalized. I'll be marrying Sophie soon and giving her the recognition she deserves." "Congratulations to you both. Wishing you two a healthy baby soon." Zeke and Sophie leaned in. Their smiles were tender and identical for the cameras. "Thank you," they said. Lily looked up. Her eyes were fixed on the screen. Zeke was standing with Sophie close in his arms. Sorrow welled in her eyes. "Zeke really is devoted! He actually divorced his wife for Sophie." "I heard he never loved Mrs. Connolly at all. He never once brought her on TV. They were married for five years, and the moment Sophie came back, he left her. Honestly, Mrs. Connolly's situation is just heartbreaking." "I heard Sophie got pregnant after someone assaulted her overseas. Is that even true?" "It has to be false. But even if it were true, a man who truly loved her wouldn't hold it against her. He'd be devastated. Didn't you see the way Mr. Connolly looked at her? "If I were Mrs. Connolly, I'd have left him a long time ago." The scene flickering across the screen almost physically hurt Lily's eyes. She heard the voices of those around her. One by one, their statements landed like knives in her chest. She stood motionless, watching and listening, as tears slipped soundlessly down her cheeks. Zeke had brought Sophie home a few days ago. She was eight months pregnant, just like Lily. After surviving an assault overseas, Sophie had returned carrying a child. She didn't even know who the father was. To shield her from disgrace, Zeke had publicly claimed the baby was his. Lily was pushing her body to the edge, doing everything in her power to bring their child into the world. And yet, he was telling everyone that they were already divorced. She had given him so many years of her life. In the end, it felt as if all her love had been poured down the drain. If he wanted a divorce so desperately, she'd give him exactly what he asked for. Lily drifted back to the villa, barely feeling the ground beneath her feet. As she crossed the threshold, the maids' whispers fell silent. "Stop it. Mrs. Connolly's back. Turn off the TV." "What a tragedy. Thank God she's blind. Otherwise, this would've shattered her." "Welcome home, Mrs. Connolly." A maid stepped forward to help, but Lily didn't respond. She stood rooted in place. Her gaze was fixed on the darkened television screen. She stayed unmoving, and time seemed to be moving more slowly. Lily lost her sight trying to save Zeke. Since she was ten, her heart had quietly belonged to him, though he only had eyes for Sophie. Five years ago, Sophie and her whole family had migrated abroad. Heartbroken, Zeke drank every day to dull the pain. One day, on his way home, he nearly stepped into the path of a car. Lily rushed out and shoved him to safety. He was left unharmed, but she lost her sight. Chapter 2 Later, Zeke was forced to marry Lily. Her parents had confronted him. "Lily's been in love with you for 15 years. Now, she's blind because of you. You have to marry her." The Connollys delivered their own ultimatum. "Marry Lily, or don't bother coming home!" In the end, he yielded and brought Lily home as his wife. After the wedding, Zeke carried out his duties as a husband. At first, he kept his distance from Lily, offering little more than the bare minimum. But with time, he began choosing gifts for her on every holiday. They moved from long, uneasy silences to nights spent talking until dawn, losing themselves in conversation. Just as things had begun to mend, Zeke's mother, Erica Blauner, drugged his food, driven by a desperate longing for a grandchild. That night, Lily conceived. But Zeke believed she had deceived him into bed, and from that moment forward, he turned cold and withdrawn. A few days earlier, Lily had woken to find the world returned to her—shapes, light, and color. Overwhelmed with joy, she rushed to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor explained that her vision had likely returned due to the effects of pregnancy hormones. She could hardly wait to tell Zeke that she had regained her sight. But when she arrived home, breathless with hope, she stepped through the door to find Sophie seated on the couch, sipping from a glass of water. Zeke was beside her. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders. His voice was low and tender as he said, "Take your time." Lily had never heard him speak to her that way. In just five days, he had all but forgotten the blind wife he'd left behind. Sophie had taken hold of both his heart and his mind. "Are you feeling worn out after the interview?" "Don't worry. I just got a little tired from sitting for too long." Sophie leaned into Zeke's chest. Lily remained standing in the center of the room, as if invisible to them. Catching the scent of something in the air, Zeke asked. "Rhonda, what's simmering in the kitchen?" "Ms. Erica had someone deliver truffles to be made into broth. She said they're meant to help with Ms. Lily's recovery," the maid, Rhonda Miller, replied. "Bring it here for Sophie," Zeke said. "But Ms. Erica sent it for Ms. Lily. There's only one serving!" Rhonda protested. "I said, give it to Sophie. Are you deaf? She's weak, and the baby growing inside her is small. She needs the nourishment." He threw a glance in Lily's direction. "She hardly eats as it is. She's always wasting food. From now on, anything my mom sends goes straight to Sophie." Lily's body shook, and her fists tightened at her sides. She could scarcely eat. From the beginning of her pregnancy, unrelenting waves of nausea had left her retching, day after day. Where other women put on weight, she had shed nearly five pounds. Erica had noticed and, moved by concern, sent nourishing food in hopes of helping. But to Zeke, every bit of it had been wasted by Lily. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Zeke. After all, it was from Ms. Erica, and she wanted Lily to have it," Sophie said. The words were wrapped in a softness too deliberate to be real. Zeke gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and spoke gently. "It's fine. You'll be my mom's future daughter-in-law. What is there to be afraid of? And besides…" He looked up and glanced briefly at Lily. "Lily won't mind." "Thank you, Zeke. You always take such good care of me," Sophie said, tilting her face upward to brush a quick kiss against him. They assumed Lily couldn't see a thing, but she could. "Yeah. I don't mind. Do as you please, Ms. Cruz," she said. She looked away, then made her way up the stairs. She'd barely taken a few steps when Sophie's voice rang out behind her. "So, when are you going to bring up the divorce with Lily?" "Very soon. Don't worry. I'll get her to sign the divorce papers. I'll marry you, I swear." Lily stopped in her tracks. Her heart slammed against her ribs so hard that she could feel the ache as if it were flesh and bone. She'd laid her entire heart in Zeke's hands, and he'd crushed it because of someone else. The disappointment she felt in him ran deep, leaving nothing untouched. Chapter 3 That night, Lily and Zeke lay in bed with their backs turned to each other. Silence stretched taut between them. Her belly had grown so large that it left her breathless more often than not. She shifted uncomfortably, turning to her other side, on the verge of asking Zeke to hand her the oxygen canister. When it got this bad, breathing through it was the only relief. But as she rolled over, she caught sight of him leaning against the headboard. The glow of his phone was lighting his face, and his fingers were busy tapping out messages to Sophie on WhatsApp. They were deep in a cheerful exchange. His smile cut clean through her. She didn't know what they were talking about, only that Zeke suddenly looked down and glanced her way. Lily shut her eyes at once, pretending to sleep. A moment later, she heard the soft click of the light switch, then the creak of the bed as he got up. He thought she was blind, that she couldn't see anything at all. It was the only reason he dared to be so brazen. Once he left the room, Lily rose too and followed him. Sophie's bedroom door stood slightly ajar. Lily stood outside the door, watching. Inside, Zeke was gently rubbing stretch mark oil onto Sophie's belly. He was entirely focused. As he continued, Sophie sat up abruptly and kissed him on the lips. Zeke caught her hand. His breath caught. "Sophie, don't. You're pregnant." "It's okay, Zeke. The doctor said it's safe in the third trimester, as long as we're careful." She slid down the strap of her nightgown. "Don't you want me, Zeke? All those five years I was abroad, I thought about you every single day. I missed you so much it hurt. "If I hadn't slipped out that night to come back and find you, I never would've been—" As Sophie spoke, her voice broke, and tears traced silent lines down her face. Zeke leaned in and kissed the tears from her skin. His gaze was filled with pity and tenderness. "That's enough, Sophie. I'm sorry. Don't worry. I'll make it up to you." Desire sparked between them. No longer able to resist, they gave in utterly. Their bodies were tangled together on the bed. Lily stood rooted at the door. One hand was clamped over her mouth as tears slid through the gaps between her fingers. She could scarcely believe what she was seeing. The man she had loved for 15 years, her husband of five years, lay with another pregnant woman, while she herself was eight months pregnant with his child. She shook her head, backing away in disbelief. Her shoulder grazed the flowerpot by the door. It gave a muted rattle, bringing Zeke to an abrupt halt on the bed. "What was that?" "What are you so afraid of? You think it's Lily? Have you forgotten that she's blind? Even if she made it all the way here, she wouldn't know what we're doing!" "But…" Zeke's voice trailed off. He gave a reluctant nod, his eyes drifting toward the doorway where darkness gathered thick and still, a quiet ripple of unease tightening across his chest. Lily couldn't see, but she could hear. And if she had heard everything, would it have broken her? "Zeke, what are you thinking about?" Sophie turned his face toward her, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "Is it Lily? You're not allowed to think about her." She reached up and kissed him again. Zeke felt as if he'd lost his mind. Why was Lily in his thoughts now, in the thick of this? If she hadn't manipulated him into sleeping with her that night, she wouldn't be carrying his child. That night, Lily hadn't even remembered how she'd made it back to her room. Her belly throbbed with pain. She reached for the medication her doctor had prescribed, took a single pill, and only then did the ache begin to ease. Her mind was set. Once the baby came, she would leave Zeke. There was nothing left inside her for him. All she wanted now was to deliver safely. After that, she would file for divorce and leave with nothing but her child. … The next morning, Lily came down for breakfast. Rhonda quietly set the truffle broth, once meant for Lily, at Sophie's place. Before Lily, she placed a plain bowl of broth. They all believed she wouldn't know. The blind couldn't see, and surely taste alone wouldn't betray the switch. Lily said nothing. She ate a few spoonfuls in silence, then lowered her spoon and left the rest untouched. "Good morning, Lily. You're up early, aren't you?" Sophie came down the stairs and eased into the chair beside her at the dining table. Her voice was laced with a barbed kind of amusement. "Unlike you, I can't manage mornings like this. The night really drained me, and by morning, it felt as though my whole body had come undone. It took all I had just to drag myself out of bed." Lily's gaze settled on Sophie's neck, where red hickeys bloomed, absurd in number. They spoke for themselves. There was no mistaking how wild things had gotten with Zeke in that bed the night before. Chapter 4 Lily's fingers tightened around the spoon. Her appetite was gone. "You go ahead. I'm leaving." "Hey, don't. Stay and talk to me," Sophie said, reaching for her. Lily tore her arm free, the motion catching Sophie's bowl of truffle broth. It toppled, and the liquid spilled across the floor. Sophie let out a sharp gasp, yanking her hand back from the burn. "Ms. Rosenfelt! I was only hoping we could talk about the kids we're having. Why are you reacting this way?" "Lily! What on earth are you doing?" The noise brought Zeke over, and he tore into her without hesitation. "Sophie's eight months pregnant! You know she can't handle this kind of stress. If anything happens to her or the baby, I'm not letting you off the hook." Lily scoffed. "I'm eight months pregnant too, and blind. It was an accident. And you'd still hold it against me?" "I…" Zeke caught himself, realizing how harsh he sounded. He sighed. "Forget it. You can't see, so I'm letting it slide. Just sit down and keep Sophie company. It's her first time having a baby, and she's nervous." Lily sneered under her breath. His words cut to the bone. Sophie was carrying her first child. So was she. Yet somehow, he made it sound as though hers didn't count. She made her way back to the table. The spoon slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. When she bent down to pick it up, she caught Sophie's foot hooked around Zeke's pant leg beneath the table, a gesture far too intimate. Her eyes went cold. As she rose, she found them locked in a fierce kiss. Their arms were wrapped tight around each other. They carried on so brazenly over breakfast, thinking her blindness made them invisible. Lily tossed the spoon onto the table and turned away. "You two take your time. I'm going back to my room." "Wait, Lily. There's a document I need you to sign." Zeke's voice broke the silence at last. He slid the papers toward her and pressed a pen into her hand. "What is it?" Lily asked. She lowered her gaze and found the bold words "Divorce Agreement" glaring from the top of the page. Sadness gripped her like a vice. Her fingers tightened around the pen, and a scornful laugh curled inside her. He wanted her signature so soon. Was he really that desperate? "Our baby's almost here, so my mom has decided to give you a house. Here's the contract. All you need to do is sign it," Zeke lied smoothly, exploiting Lily's blindness without a moment's doubt. Sophie chimed in from the side, "I'm so jealous of you, Lily. If only I were as lucky. How I wish I could be Mrs. Connolly, too. Watching you receive such a grand gift is making me green with envy." Lily pressed her lips together, and a blank mask settled over her features. "Zeke, are you sure you want me to sign this?" "Why would you even ask? Don't you want the house my mom's giving you?" A thread of nervousness wove its way through Zeke's veins. Lily's face was taut, as if she'd uncovered something unspoken. He raised his hand, tracing slow arcs before her eyes. When she didn't move, he let out a sigh of relief. "Fine. If that's what you want," Lily said. She signed her name with a fast, decisive stroke where he had indicated. Just then, Zeke's phone rang. He didn't need to check the screen to know it was Erica. He stepped away, putting space between himself and Lily before bringing the phone to his ear. "What's up, Mom?" "Zeke, did you mean what you said on TV? You're divorcing Lily for Sophie? Are you insane? Lily's pregnant with your baby!" The news had reached Erica, and she was calling to confront him. She had liked Lily from the beginning and had pictured her as the daughter-in-law her family longed for. How could she not be alarmed now, learning that Zeke planned to divorce Lily and marry a woman with such a past? "Don't worry, Mom. It's only a temporary measure. I promised Sophie I'd protect her reputation for the time being. After her baby is born and recorded in my name, I'll divorce her. I won't betray Lily. We'll be married again." "Be married again?" Sophie had been nearby and had overheard everything. Her expression turned sour. She had believed Zeke was truly serious about marrying her, but now, she saw it was only a temporary arrangement. Still, that didn't matter. As long as she was legally wed to Zeke, she'd make certain he never got the chance to end it. Zeke assumed Lily couldn't hear him. But since losing her sight, her hearing had sharpened remarkably. She sneered quietly. He was a master of schemes, but he hadn't realized that she had already made up her mind to leave him for good. They'd be married again? Not a chance. Chapter 5 Once the divorce papers were signed, Zeke left with Sophie. Lily returned to her room and started packing her things. The wedding ring on her finger had become a glaring eyesore, something she desperately wished to remove. Yet, with pregnancy came swollen hands, and try as she might, the ring wouldn't budge. Resolving to seek help, she headed to the jewelry store where she had purchased it. But before she even entered, she spotted Zeke and Sophie standing inside. "Mr. Connolly, this pair of rings was designed by the famous jewelry designer Robert Edelman himself. What do you think?" asked Perry Dempsey, the sales associate. "It's beautiful. Zeke, let's take this pair, okay?" Sophie said eagerly, holding out her hand for him to slip the ring on. Lily stood nearby, watching as Zeke dropped to one knee and slipped the ring onto Sophie's finger. Cheers rose from the crowd as the two held each other tightly. Lily had just signed the divorce papers, and Zeke was already here, picking out wedding rings with Sophie. Her eyes fell to the ring on her finger, the one Erica had picked. Their marriage had never been Zeke's idea. That was why he'd refused to select rings himself and only posed for a handful of half-hearted wedding photos. She should have seen this coming. He'd never had feelings for her from the beginning, and he never would. "The ring sizes aren't quite right. Customizing them will take some time. Once they're ready, we'll arrange for someone to deliver them to the Connolly residence." "Alright. Thanks," Zeke said. After he and Sophie made their selections and left, Lily stepped forward. "Mrs. Connolly?" Perry called. The instant she stepped inside, the sales associates in the jewelry store stared at her in surprise. "Can I help you with something?" Perry asked. "Please help me remove this ring," Lily said. "You don't want to keep it anymore?" Perry asked, his tone cautious. "You saw what just happened. My husband came here with another woman to pick out rings. Since he's marrying someone else, I have to take this one off." "Mrs. Connolly, your sight has returned?" Five years ago, Erica had brought Lily here when she couldn't see at all. Perry never imagined that, this time, Lily would come back with her sight restored. Lily responded with a soft hum and held out her hand. "Please help me take off this ring." After he removed it, she passed it back to him. "When you deliver the rings to the Connolly residence, please include this one." "Certainly, Mrs. Connolly." "Please address me as Ms. Rosenfelt." "Of course, Ms. Rosenfelt. Have a good day." Leaving the jewelry store, Lily's gaze settled on her bare right hand. The bothersome ring was gone at last, and with its absence came a lighthearted sense of relief. The weather was lovely, and she set off on a solitary walk, wandering without direction. Night thickened, yet not once did Zeke reach out. Maybe she had never meant anything to him at all. Maybe her absence wouldn't stir a single thought in his mind. Lily returned home at 10:00 pm, stepping inside to find Sophie sitting on the couch. Sophie spotted her but said nothing. Lily paid her no mind. She started to head upstairs until she noticed Sophie's foot extended before her, poised to trip her in the low light. Maintaining her composure, she stepped around the trap, then moved to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of water. After a sip, she made her way up the stairs. Sophie crept after Lily. When they reached the final steps, Sophie surged forward suddenly, attempting to shove Lily down the stairs while her guard was down. Lily turned just in time, dodging the push, and Sophie faltered, losing her balance. Desperation seized Sophie, and she clutched at the hem of Lily's shirt, dragging her down too. Their screams tore through the air. Lily hurtled down flight after flight of stairs until she lay still. Searing pain ripped through her stomach. A warm rush spilled between her legs, and she fought back the agony to touch the wetness. Her fingers came away bright red, flooding her with panic. Sophie was in no better state. "Lily! Why did you push me? It hurts so much!" she wailed in anguish. Chapter 6 "Sophie!" Zeke called out. Lily stretched her hand blindly into the dark, toward him. "Zeke… please… help me… save our baby…" But Sophie's screams rose, drowning out Lucy's. "Zeke, I'm so scared! It hurts so much! Please help me!" Soon, Zeke was sprinting toward them. Lily hoped he'd come to her first, if only for the baby's sake. But instead, he stepped past her and lifted Sophie into his arms. "Don't be afraid, Sophie. I'm getting you to the hospital right now!" Lily clung to his pant leg. Her voice was a faint and fragile whisper. "I'm bleeding, Zeke. My belly hurts so much…" Compared to Lily, Sophie seemed steadier. Her condition was nowhere near as critical. Zeke shrugged off Lily's hold and yelled, "Look at what you've done! You've let me down, Lily! I thought you'd accept Sophie, but instead, you've done everything possible to harm her and the baby she's carrying. "Do you realize how much pain she suffered abroad? If anything happens to either of them, I swear, I will never forgive you!" Lily ground her teeth against the pain. "I didn't push her. She fell on her own and pulled me down with her. Zeke, I'm begging you. Please, save our child..." For eight months, she'd struggled to keep the pregnancy going. The very idea of losing their child was unbearable. "This is on you! If the baby's truly gone, it's because of what you did!" Without hesitation, he walked off, carrying Sophie in his arms. Lily's eyes followed him into the darkness. She shut them tight, and tears of despair slipped down her cheeks. Her body was awash with pain, and blood poured out beneath her in unending waves. She crawled on all fours, fighting to reach Rhonda's room. "Help… Rhonda… please help me…" By the time she reached the room at the far end, her strength gave out, and she fainted. When Rhonda opened the door, she saw Lily lying outside, unconscious and soaked in blood. The shock nearly knocked her off her feet. "Mrs. Connolly! What happened? Mrs. Connolly?" she called urgently. She switched on the light, and the sight chilled her to the bone. A long line of blood ran from the living room down the hallway. The sight filled her with dread. She didn't hesitate to call Zeke. "Mr. Connolly, Mrs. Connolly—" Zeke cut her off sharply. "Don't mention her unless she's dead! I don't want to hear a word about her!" Before Rhonda could respond, the call ended abruptly. Overwhelmed with panic, she quickly dialed for an ambulance. … Carrying Sophie, Zeke stormed into the hospital like a man possessed. "Doctor, please save her!" he shouted. The medical staff responded immediately. "The mother is about to deliver any minute! Hurry, get her to the delivery room!" Once Sophie was whisked away, Zeke began pacing outside. Half an hour later, Lily was brought in. After examining her, doctors found her condition critical and immediately took her into surgery. After five grueling hours, Sophie finally gave birth to a son. Born premature at eight months, the baby was immediately placed in an incubator. Zeke gently offered her water in the hospital room. "You've been through so much, Sophie." A blissful smile spread across Sophie's face. "Zeke, have you seen our baby? He's a boy—tiny, wrinkled, and kind of ugly!" "You're being silly. All babies look like that when they're born." Taking her hand in his, he spoke with a heavy heart. "I'm sorry, Sophie. Please accept my apology for what Lily did. She's been spoiled her whole life. I hope you can forgive her." "What are you saying? How could I ever blame her?" Sophie hadn't imagined Zeke would speak up for Lily at a time like this. Yet, since he had chosen her over Lily, she decided to let it go. "That's good to hear. You should get some rest. I'm going to check on her." Chapter 7 Zeke was on the verge of leaving when Sophie's sobs broke the silence. "Are you really going? I don't want to be alone. Please, stay with me. I just had the baby, and my whole body aches." "Alright, I'll stay." He wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "You just had a baby. You shouldn't cry." "Okay, I won't if you stay with me." Relief washed over Zeke when Sophie finally settled down, yet Lily's face flashed vividly in his mind. "Zeke, please, save our child…" Her desperate pleas haunted his ears like a lingering echo, tightening the knot in his chest. She'd seemed injured then, and he had no idea how she was doing now. Footsteps echoed outside the door, and Zeke caught fragments of nurses' voices. "Aren't you off yet? The night shift ended some time ago. Why haven't you gone home?" "I'm tied up. A pregnant woman was brought in last night. She was bleeding heavily and struggling through obstructed labor. Dr. Lambert has been fighting nonstop to save her." "How far along was she? What is her current condition?" "She was eight months pregnant. Her condition remains critical, and the surgery is still underway." The nurse sighed before continuing, "That poor woman arrived at midnight, bloodied and ghostly pale, without her husband by her side." The conversation sent a tremor through Zeke. The words "eight months pregnant", "bleeding heavily", and "complicated labor" echoed in his mind. His thoughts turned immediately to Lily. Could the woman they were talking about be her? He told himself it was impossible, that it couldn't be. Yet panic was already tightening its hold. He rose to his feet, determined to seek out someone who could offer him clear answers. "I need to use the bathroom, Zeke. Can you help me?" Sophie asked. She caught the nurses talking. There was no way she could have missed it. If that woman were really Lily, then everything would fall into place perfectly. If Lily and her baby were gone, Sophie and her child could stay with the Connollys openly, as their lady and heir. A sharp gleam sparked in her eyes, only to vanish just as quickly. "Alright," Zeke said. For reasons he couldn't explain, a sudden fear gripped him. He couldn't bring himself to face the truth. The idea that Lily and their child might be gone was unbearable. … After a long and desperate battle in the operating room, the baby within Lily's womb failed to survive. She had arrived at the hospital with her water already broken. Her body was weak from the start, and despite all her attempts, she was unable to deliver. She fainted again and again. Surgery was performed to remove the baby, but it had been deprived of oxygen for too long. The doctors tried every possible means to save the baby, yet in the end, they were powerless. Wayne Lambert looked down at Lily, who was unconscious on the operating table, and shook his head. Pain was etched across his face. "We have to let it go. There's nothing left we can do." "The baby was eight months along, and it's gone. She'll be broken when she wakes." Wayne sighed as he stitched up her wounds. "And where in God's name is her husband? Leaving a woman that far along, alone at home in the dead of night? It's unforgivable." … Lily woke up to her body shaking uncontrollably. The anesthesia was still coursing through her veins. Around her stretched an endless expanse of white, while the sharp sting of disinfectant hung thick in the air. Slowly, the truth settled. She had been brought to the hospital, after all. "My child?" Her hand instinctively moved toward her belly, but it met only emptiness. Tears welled fiercely in her eyes. She clenched her jaw, trying to push herself upright from the bed, but the searing pain pinned her motionless. "Mrs. Connolly, you're awake." Rhonda entered swiftly, having just attempted to contact Zeke. Wayne had asked if the hospital should take care of the baby's body or if the Connollys wanted to handle it themselves. Rhonda wasn't sure what to decide and kept trying to reach Zeke. When she finally got through, the call was cut short. She tried once more, but his phone was already switched off. Chapter 8 The moment Lily spotted Rhonda, her voice broke with urgency. "Rhonda… where is my child? Where did my child go?" Rhonda's expression shifted from surprise to a gentle happiness. "Mrs. Connolly, have you regained your sight?" "My child. Where is my child?" Rhonda hesitated, unsure how to bring up the truth. "Tell me, Rhonda!" "Mrs. Connolly…" Rhonda tried to answer, but tears came quickly, tracing silent paths down her face. Throughout the years, Lily's kindness toward the maids at the Connolly residence had never wavered. Tender and generous, she always shared her best food and belongings with them. When Lily first became pregnant, Rhonda was by her side at every prenatal checkup. She understood how heavy the burden of this child was on her. In the earliest months, relentless vomiting left Lily drained. Then, in the final stages, the medicine prescribed by the doctor brought a rash that covered her body and robbed her of sleep. Having reached the eighth month, she now faced the loss of her child. And Rhonda found herself unable to tell Lily that her child was dead. Lily blinked, her expression shifting as if a sudden understanding was dawning. Her eyes lost focus, growing empty and distant. "Rhonda, where is my child? Why are you crying?" Rhonda broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. "Your child is gone, Mrs. Connolly. The doctors said it was a girl, but she was already lifeless when she was born. They tried everything, but they couldn't save her." "What are you saying?" A faint smile flickered across Lily's face. "No, she wouldn't die. She's strong. She carried on for eight months. There's no way she's gone." "The doctors said by the time you reached the hospital, it was already too late. If only you'd arrived sooner—" "No, she isn't dead. I'm going to find her." Suddenly, Lily summoned a strength she hadn't known she possessed and pushed herself up from the bed. The agony of her organs settling back was so intense it nearly claimed her consciousness. She braced herself against the wall and wobbled toward the door, only to fall hard to the floor. Rhonda cried even harder at the sight. "Please, Mrs. Connolly, don't push yourself. Your child is already gone. You must take care of yourself!" Lily's scream tore through the air. "Why? Why take her from me?" All the despair and heartbreak she'd held inside burst forth in a flood. She lay face down on the floor with tears pouring down her cheeks. "No, my child, my child! I'm so sorry. This is all my fault!" she wailed. Her voice was ragged and strained. Worn out and shattered, she slipped into unconsciousness. Rhonda's panic flooded her words as she shouted, "Mrs. Connolly! Someone, please! A doctor! Help her!" Still in a haze, Lily heard voices nearby. "Where is her husband? Why hasn't he shown up yet?" Wayne asked. "Mr. Connolly's phone goes right to voicemail." "She's weak and distraught. Her condition is poor." After a pause, he added, "And there's the child's body. A decision must be made soon." With great effort, Lily opened her eyes and whispered, "Doctor… may I see my child just once?" Wayne hummed softly. His eyes were filled with pity as he arranged for someone to take her to see the baby. Lily gazed at the tiny body. It was utterly lifeless. She tried to call out, but only a ragged whisper escaped her. She stretched her hand forward, yearning to touch her child, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Her heart tightened so fiercely it seemed to stop her breath. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving cold, wet trails. Finally, she closed her eyes and made her decision. "I'll handle the baby's body myself." "And the father? Doesn't he wish to see her one last time?" "No. The baby has no father." The love Lily once felt for Zeke dissolved completely from the moment he chose Sophie over her. Chapter 9 Sophie's recovery after a natural birth was smooth, and she was discharged just three days later. Throughout those days, Zeke never left her side. Occasionally, his thoughts drifted to Lily, but each time he checked his phone and saw no missed calls, he told himself she must be alright. What he never realized was that Sophie had erased every trace of Lily's calls from his phone. She wanted Lily to believe Zeke never spared her a single thought, to push her to surrender and walk away. That very morning, Lily was also discharged from the hospital. Her body was frail, and the pain made each step a struggle, yet she insisted on going to the funeral home. Rhonda pushed her wheelchair steadily along the way. There, Lily watched her child being cremated and placed the ashes into the urn with her own hands. A drizzle fell as she stepped outside. She glanced up at the sky, and a hollow grief stirred deep in her chest. "Take me home, Rhonda," she said. Back at the Connolly residence, the bloodstains on the floor remained stubbornly visible, and the memory of that night lingered vividly in Lily's mind. Her heart ached with a pain too deep to bear. Clinging to the railing, she climbed the stairs slowly, step by deliberate step. After packing a few belongings, she set the urn and the divorce papers, hidden by Zeke, down on the table. Once she had finished everything, she made her way downstairs. The maids stood lined up in a row, and when they spotted Lily descending, they broke down in tears. "Mrs. Connolly…" Summoning her strength, Lily said, "I'm leaving. Thank you all for looking after me all these years. Clean the bloodstains on the floor, or Zeke will find fault with you when he comes back." "We left the stains untouched, Mrs. Connolly! We want him to witness the cruelty of what he did!" "Exactly. Those bloodstains shook us to the core. He needs to see them with his own eyes." The maids wept together in sorrow. Lily pressed her lips tight, yet the tears still slipped free, tracing silent paths down her cheeks. "Thank you," she whispered. She brushed the tears away, grasped her suitcase, and stepped out of the Connolly residence. She cast one last glance at the house she'd lived in for five years, then dropped her gaze and left with a quiet resolve. Soon after she was gone, Zeke's car pulled up. He helped Sophie to the doorway, then called out sharply, "Bring Sophie's things inside!" Silent at the doorway, the maids watched him approach. They stepped aside, opening a path for him. A frown crept across Zeke's face. "Why are you all just standing there?" Sophie rolled her eyes. "Zeke, you've spoiled them so much that they've grown bold enough to behave like this." "What exactly is going on?" he demanded, stepping into the living room. The long streaks of blood caught his eye, and his gaze widened in shock. A crushing weight pressed down on his chest, stealing his breath. "What's this?" Zeke asked. "That's Mrs. Connolly's blood," Rhonda replied, betraying no emotion. "What?" He stared at her, disbelief clouding his eyes. "That can't be. How could she have bled so much that night?" "Mrs. Connolly begged you to save her and the baby that night, but you turned a blind eye. She had no choice but to drag herself, inch by inch, to my room while calling for help. "That's how these bloodstains came to be," Rhonda said. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Pain gripped Zeke with a cruel tightness. Clutching her hand with desperate urgency, he asked, "Where's Lily? Where is she?" "She's already gone, but she left something for you upstairs. You should go see it." "Gone? Where could she possibly have gone? This is her home. I'm her husband. Where else would she go?" "No, Mr. Connolly. You're divorced. Have you forgotten?" Zeke staggered back, panic rising like a tide. Fear surged through him, and his eyes burned red with tears. Sophie caught his arm. "Maybe she's just messing with you. Zeke, women bleed this much when they have a baby. I went through the same thing!" "Get lost!" he barked, turning around to fix her with a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "Do you think I'm stupid, Sophie? Do you honestly believe this amount of blood is normal?" He rushed up the stairs. "Stop playing games, Lily. Please, just come out!" But her room was empty. On the table sat a small box and a bundle of papers. Step by step, Zeke moved toward the table until his gaze landed on the papers resting there—the divorce agreement he'd hidden away. "No way!" How had Lily found them? Though the papers had been hidden right before her, she was blind. She shouldn't have seen them. Then his eyes caught the box next to the papers, and a cold dread washed over him. His hand shook as he reached toward it. The moment the lid opened, everything inside him shattered.