Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 7

Alexander's POV

I sat on the edge of the hospital bed where Lily lay sleeping peacefully. Her pale face, even in its fragile state, held a quiet strength. Looking at her, I could hardly fathom the pain she had endured during the months she had been in a coma. Now that she had woken up, the doctors had insisted she stay for a few more days to ensure her recovery was complete. But when I suggested she come to my house once she was discharged, fear flickered in her eyes. I didn't need to press her for long before she confessed she couldn't stay under the same roof as Cassandra.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I looked down at Lily. The guilt gnawed at me. It was Cassandra's fault Lily was in this condition, and I couldn't let her suffer any longer. The decision to divorce Cassandra had been hard, but necessary. She had caused too much pain.

"Alex?" Lily's weak voice broke through my thoughts. She gazed up at me, her eyes glassy but alert.

"Yes, my dearest. How are you feeling today?" I asked, gently stroking her hair.

"I'm fine, but I don't like the smell of this place anymore. I want to come back home. I'm tired, but I'm still very scared of Cassandra. What if she comes back and says that I was the cause of her marriage breaking up?" Her voice trembled with fear.

Before I could respond, the door swung open and my mother, Rachel, walked in with a confident stride.

"I understand your fear, but she won't come back anymore because she has gone and would never come back," Rachel said, her voice filled with conviction.

"Mother?" I asked, shocked, staring at her while she smiled reassuringly.

"Yes, I'm here, my darling," Rachel said, coming over to Lily’s side. "That wretch will never come back home anymore. It will just be the three of us and your children."

Rachel’s smile widened, and Lily’s lips curled into a slight smirk. The look of satisfaction on her face was unmistakable. For a brief moment, a sliver of doubt crept into my mind, but I brushed it away. Lily had been through too much. I couldn't let Cassandra harm her again.

"Alex, I know it's difficult," Rachel said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "But this is the best decision. Lily needs to feel safe, and Cassandra has proven she's a threat."

I nodded, swallowing hard. "I know, Mother. I just want to make sure Lily is okay."

"I will be," Lily said, her voice stronger now. "As long as Cassandra is out of the picture, I can finally start to heal."

Rachel smiled and squeezed Lily's hand. "You are like a daughter to me, Lily. I will always protect you."

I watched them, a knot tightening in my stomach. I knew my mother loved Lily, but her eagerness to see Cassandra gone forever was unsettling. I shook off the thought. This was for the best. Cassandra had caused enough damage.

"Alex, do you remember the time we took that trip to the coast?" Lily asked suddenly, her eyes brightening with the memory.

"Of course," I replied, smiling. "It was one of the happiest times."

Lily's eyes sparkled with the memory. "I want us to have more times like that. To feel safe and happy again."

"We will," I promised. "We will make new memories, better ones. Without Cassandra."

Rachel nodded in agreement. "And I will be there every step of the way. We'll rebuild together."

Lily's eyes softened as she looked at me. "Thank you, Alex. For everything."

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Anything for you, Lily."

As the hours passed, the hospital room filled with a sense of hope. Rachel and I sat by Lily's side, talking about the future, making plans, and dreaming of a life free from fear. But beneath the surface, doubts lingered. Could we truly be free of Cassandra's shadow?


The next morning, as the sunlight filtered through the hospital curtains, I found myself alone with Lily. She looked at me with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

"Alex, there's something I need to tell you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What is it, Lily?" I asked, leaning in closer.

She took a deep breath, her eyes searching mine. "I... I was never really in a coma. I was pretending."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean, pretending?"

"I needed to buy time. To make sure you would leave Cassandra. To ensure you would be mine," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Alex. I did it because I love you."

I pulled back, staring at her in disbelief. "You manipulated all of this?"

Lily nodded, her tears now flowing freely. "I had to. Cassandra was destroying us. I needed to make sure you would choose me."

I stood up, my mind racing. Everything I had believed, everything I had done, had been based on a lie. "Lily, this is... I don't even know what to say."

"Please, Alex. Don't hate me. I did it out of love," she pleaded.

Before I could respond, the door opened and Rachel walked in, her eyes widening at the sight of our tear-streaked faces. "What’s going on here?"

I turned to her, feeling a mix of anger and betrayal. "Did you know? Did you know Lily was pretending?"

Rachel looked between us, her face pale. "I... I suspected. But I thought it was for the best. For your happiness."

My world spun as I tried to process their words. "You both lied to me. Manipulated me."

"We did it for you, Alex," Rachel said, stepping closer. "For your happiness."

"For my happiness?" I repeated, feeling a surge of anger. "You both played with my emotions, made me believe Cassandra was the enemy."

Rachel reached out to touch my arm, but I stepped back. "Alex, please understand. We did what we thought was right."

I shook my head, feeling a storm of emotions. "I need to think. I need to get out of here."

Without another word, I walked out of the room, my mind in turmoil. Everything I had believed was a lie. The people I trusted had betrayed me. As I walked through the hospital corridors, I felt the weight of their deception crushing me.

I needed to find Cassandra. To make things right. To understand what had really happened. But first, I needed to clear my head, to find some sense of clarity.

I stepped out into the fresh air, taking deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. I couldn't believe the extent of their manipulation. The lies, the deceit. I had been a pawn in their game.

I wandered through the hospital grounds, my mind racing with thoughts of Cassandra. Where was she now? Was she safe? I needed to find her, to apologize, to make amends.

As I walked, a sense of determination filled me. I would find Cassandra. I would make things right. I wouldn't let Lily and Rachel's lies destroy my life.

Do you think Lily what said is true? because she doesn't look like someone who will rat herself easily.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter