Lily's POV

I stood in front of the living room window of my sister's house. My eyes were glued to a sight I never expected.

In the corner of the room, my husband, William, was embracing Serena, my younger sister. Serena rested her head on William's chest. My husband's smile, which usually belonged only to me, now showed her.

"You're going to publicize our relationship, aren't you, dear?" Serena's voice sounded soft, yet sharp to me, piercing my heart. My body stiffened, and my blood seemed to stop flowing. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

The gift box I was holding felt heavier in my hands. I came here to surprise William. I brought the brand-new car parked in front of Serena's house, with the keys inside this box.

I even brought a test pack as an expression of my happiness, hoping William would be happy with this news. However, that hope seemed dashed by Serena's words and William's attitude.

"Of course, I will choose you," William's voice broke my reverie. His tone was so casual as if his words were the most natural thing in the world.

"Lily is just a tool for me. She has been as obedient as a dog to its master. She was too innocent and naive."

My heart seemed to stop beating. My breath hitched, and my chest tightened as if hit by a thousand stones. The husband I trusted, who I thought loved me sincerely, had been playing a fake role.

My hands trembled, hugging the gift box tightly. Tears fell relentlessly down my cheeks. The wound in my heart felt like a dagger stabbing repeatedly. I wanted to scream, wanted to run, but my body stayed in place.

I looked at them from the window, hoping this was just a bad dream. But William's words shattered everything I once believed.

I tried to muffle the sound of my sobs, but their words continued to echo, piercing deeper into my heart.

"Then, when are you going to leave her?" Serena asked again, with a spoiled tone, but full of confidence.

"I'm tired of hiding our relationship. You know I deserve more than just being second."

William chuckled softly, as if it was no big deal.

"Have a little patience, dear. Lily will be out of my life soon. I just need to make sure I get everything I want from her."

"Like what?" Serena urged with a sly smile.

"Possessions, of course. I've been taking care of that stupid woman for too long. She works day and night, raising my company to make me happy. She should at least be useful before I kick her out," William said casually.

My tears fell harder. My hands shook, and the gift box I was holding almost fell. My chest felt crushed, too heavy to breathe.

"She does love me too much, Serena. Even if she wanted to give me the whole world, she would. Including... her life." William laughed sarcastically.

"I'm even sure she'll still be on her knees begging me, even if I divorce her later."

"She's pathetic," Serena grinned.

"But that's good for us, right? The sooner you get rid of her, the sooner we can live together. Don't you want a baby to be the heir? And Lily can't give you that. Of course, I can."

William smiled, nodding. He pinched Serena's nose. Then they embraced, as if enjoying happiness built on my suffering.

I could no longer hold back my trembling body. The hand holding the gift box felt like it was gripping hot coals. My heart cried out to vent everything, to confront them, but my legs felt paralyzed.

I wanted to go on a rampage, slapping Serena's sweet mouth. My sweet sister, who I obeyed and pampered, now betrayed me.

I wanted to hit William, too. But I chose to retreat.

"Why... why does it have to be like this? I fought for my love in vain, but you betrayed me." I covered my mouth, muffling my cries.

Their laughter trampled my small hopes, as if I never existed. I knew this was more than betrayal—it was an insult to all the love I had given.

"Just wait, William. You think I’m a dog that obeys its master. One day, I will turn on you."

I entered the car that was supposed to be a gift for William, my hands trembling as I gripped the steering wheel. A crushing feeling tore through my chest.

This gift was too precious for a traitor like him. Without hesitation, I started the engine and drove the car back home.

I waited a few minutes, as the car disappeared from my sight. I deliberately called someone, telling them the car would be donated to someone who needed it more, not to someone who had betrayed me.

I entered the house, seeing the small party I had thrown to surprise my husband. I had even made a cake for him. The meal served on the table beside the swimming pool, full of romance, ended painfully.

I had been waiting for William to come home to celebrate our wedding day, just the two of us. I waited for him until 10 p.m.

I tried to track William's location using the app on my phone. It turned out he was at Serena's house. I thought they were giving me a surprise, but instead, I was shocked by their betrayal.

I slammed the wine glass on the floor. The glass shattered like my heart.

"I was stupid, so stupid. Why am I only realizing everything now?"

My memory drifts to happy times with William, the laughter and jokes that now feel like a nightmare. A picture of our wedding, William's smile so warm, yet now so far away. The pain gnaws at my heart like a poison spreading through my body.

I wanted to scream, wanted to shout to the world that William had betrayed me. However, the tears poured out, leaving a huge sense of emptiness. I crawled into the pool, letting the cold water soak my body. Maybe this water could ease some of the pain crushing my soul.

***

Today, William threw a party to commemorate our third wedding anniversary, inviting his friends and coworkers.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the party preparations, my heart feels tight. The balcony of the house is bathed in flickering party lights, a sight that used to excite me. Now, every detail is heartbreaking.

I saw William standing at the door, smiling broadly to greet me. His smile, which once felt so warm, now felt cold in my eyes. A fake smile, covering his rottenness behind my back.

"Honey, you are so beautiful today. No, I mean, actually, every day makes me admire you more and more, honey."

Look at that intoxicating seduction. Should I get into the drama here too? I smiled, trying to keep my cheeks from turning red from the tears welling up in my eyes.

He hugged me, but his embrace was bland, a formal hug accompanied by a pretend smile.

We seemed to be a spectacle now. Many were amazed by our romance. They teased us, making William laugh crisply, as if proud.

"Honey, I'm glad we can celebrate this party. Remembering our three years of love. May it last forever like this." William looked at me deeply, his hand stretched out to fix my hair.

My eyes caught Serena standing behind the crowd of guests. She was wearing a red dress, looking at me with a cold expression. Her smile seemed to mock the sadness I was trying to hide.

"Hi Sis, congratulations on your third wedding anniversary. May you continue to be happy, forever."

Selena approached me and William, hugging me, giving good wishes. But I guessed that prayer was only on her lips, not from her heart.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Tonight, I have to be strong. I have to pretend to be happy, even though my heart is bleeding.

William took my hand, his eyes looking at me gently. "You know, honey, I love you very much. Tonight, I want you to have fun."

His words stuck to my ears like an electric shock.

"I'm grateful that you can accompany me tonight," I replied, my tone trying to sound cheerful.

Inwardly, however, I laughed at his words.

"Love? What kind of love are you talking about?" I thought to myself.

My eyes caught Serena standing by William's side, whispering into his ear. Her mocking smile returned, reinforcing the suspicions lurking in my heart.

"I'm going to get a drink, honey," William said, releasing my hand.

I stared at his retreating back, feeling the emptiness spreading inside me. This party was an insult to the pain I knew. I felt trapped in a disgusting play, forced to pretend to be happy in front of everyone who witnessed my husband's infidelity.

****

My hands felt cold like my heart was freezing. It's been almost an hour since William returned. Where is he?

He said he wanted to get me a drink, but he didn’t come back. I don’t even see Serena here. I wandered around, looking for her among the guests.

“Honey? Where are you?” I called out softly, but my voice was drowned out by the lively music.

I tried to find William among the crowd but didn’t see him anywhere.

I walked into the house, hoping William was there. As I passed our bedroom, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

My heart was racing uncontrollably. I pressed my ear against the door, listening to the sighing sounds with a trembling heart.

“William? Is he here?” I mumbled.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I had to see with my own eyes what was going on inside that room.

With trembling hands, I turned the doorknob. To my surprise, the door was unlocked.

I stepped inside slowly, my heart gripped by fear. When I opened it, I froze in place.

William and Serena, lying on the bed, their bodies entwined. They were oblivious to my presence, too engrossed in their embrace.

I covered my mouth, holding back the scream that wanted to explode. Pain, anger, and betrayal overwhelmed me.

I leaned against the wall, my body trembling violently. My left hand instinctively stroked my still-flat stomach.

"My son, this is too painful for mom. Do you feel it too, son?" I whispered, my voice hoarse with tears. The baby I'm carrying must be feeling what I'm feeling right now.

I reach for my cell phone, which is lying in my bag. My fingers tremble as I try to open the video app. I must capture this moment. The moment when I saw my husband and my own sister making out lustfully.

I was transfixed in front of the mirror, staring at my pale, haggard reflection. My hair was tangled, my eyes were puffy, and my face was covered in traces of tears.

"I... I... was too stupid. Why has it only been three years since all his rottenness was revealed?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

I don't know how long I was cooped up inside this bathroom, staring at my own reflection. I felt slumped in unspeakable sadness.

The bathroom door opened abruptly. Serena stepped in, looking at me with a forced smile. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, the traces of the heated battle with William still evident.

"Hi, sister!" she greeted me, pretending to be cute.

I looked at her with a disgusted gaze. How could she dare to look at me with a smile that seemed to say, 'I won!'

Serena took out a red lipstick from her bag and applied it to her lips with a casual motion.

"How does it feel to be a bitch for my husband?" I asked piercingly, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena rounded her eyes, her jaw hardening. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb, Serena," I replied coldly. "I saw everything you did."

I fixed her with a piercing stare. "You destroyed our family. You ruined my life."

Serena tried to approach me, but I backed away.

"Sister, it's not my fault, it's William's. I can't refuse him," she said, her face wearing a guilty look.

I laughed at her words. "Don't lie!" I shouted. "You enjoyed that! You ruined my life on purpose!"

Serena looked at me with a terrified gaze. "I didn't want to destroy our family! Really!"

I shook my head slowly.

"I don't believe her nonsense, Serena!" I stared at her sharply, ignoring her words.

The guilty look on her face suddenly changed. She laughed, a laugh that sounded like a saw creaking. The guilty face she had shown me earlier seemed to vanish into thin air, replaced by a horrible laugh of mockery.

"That's what I want, I want you to feel the same pain I once felt." Serena's eyes sparkled with triumph.

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Serena openly admitted to her cruel deeds, even showing her joy at the pain I was feeling.

"You... savage! What did I do wrong, Serena? All this time I've always obeyed your wishes," I shouted, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena smiled sarcastically.

"Yes, you did. But you know, Mom always praised you as if you were her only child." She walked slowly, recounting something from the past.

"Good Lily, smart Lily, and the most understanding Lily! Mother always praised you like that, while I was just labeled as a spoiled and ignorant child."

I paused, surprised by Serena's words. She smiled with a grin, but I saw sadness in her eyes.

"We're a family, Serena. You and I are neither enemies nor rivals." I held Serena's shoulders, looking at her intently. I tried to make her realize, but instead, she threw my hand away violently.

"Don't pretend to be nice to me, Sis. You're taking all the attention, including our parents'." Serena stared at me sharply, harboring a deep grudge.

"Look at me now! I've taken the attention of William, the man you love. You're just a boring doll to him. I'm the one he actually loves."

I stared at her with a hateful gaze, as if she were waving a war flag in front of me.

"You? You're just a bitch who ruined my family, Serena. You'll never defeat me." I pointed at Serena's face, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena approached me, looking into my eyes with a sinister gaze.

"We'll see who wins. I'll make sure you're destroyed."

I tried to push away the fear eating at my courage, but I hid it. I pushed Serena’s body away and chose to leave.